By NIR MEGNAZI, RACHEL NELSON,and EVA N.
We believe deeply in the foundational rights to free speech and access to public education. These values are essential to a functioning democracy and a thriving, inclusive society. However, there is a critical distinction between exercising free speech and allowing hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, and debunked propaganda disguised as “fact” to take root in our schools, our school districts, and among members of our school board.
Two weeks ago, a group of Jewish and Israeli parents, educators, and community members attended the Beaverton School Board meeting to provide public comment regarding the safety and well-being of students in our district. We came in good faith, hoping to express our concerns about the sharp escalation in anti-Jewish hate and bias and the growing fear among Jewish students and families in Beaverton.
Instead, we were met by a group of individuals waving Palestinian flags, holding signs that denigrated Israel, and presenting a one-sided, often false narrative about a distant geopolitical conflict. To further demonstrate that Israeli and Jewish students are not welcome in Beaverton, many of these individuals were holding handwritten signs on Oregon School Employees Association posterboard. While all international conflicts are far beyond the scope or jurisdiction of any local school district, ripple effects of many different geopolitical conflicts are being felt acutely by families right here in Beaverton. This particular conflict impacts both Jewish and Muslim families in our schools and neighborhoods.
The Jewish community’s comments focused on issues of safety within our schools—the fear of openly identifying as Jewish or Israeli, and the anxiety heightened by two recent violent attacks in the U.S. targeting individuals perceived to be Jewish. Our children deserve to feel safe and supported in their learning environments, not silenced or targeted based on their legally protected identity.
In contrast, many of the comments from those opposing our presence centered on “free speech” and unilateral calls to end the war in Gaza. While we support the right to advocate for peace and justice, we cannot ignore that the rhetoric in the room—and later, outside the building—crossed a line.
After public comment concluded, as families and community members exited the district building, we were immediately confronted by a crowd loudly and proudly chanting for global Intifada—a term that, in this context, evokes calls for violence and has historically been associated with brutal attacks against Jewish civilians. As one individual proclaimed with a smile, “I am Hamas; we’re all Hamas.” This experience was deeply unsettling and made many of us, including children, feel unsafe, unwelcome, and physically terrified.
We call on the Beaverton School District, its leadership, and our broader community to take these concerns seriously. Safety, inclusivity, and respectful dialogue must be protected for all students and families, regardless of background. Standing against hate in any form is not a political statement—it is a moral imperative.
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Nir Megnazi, Rachel Nelson and Eva N. are parents of students in the Beaverton School District. The Jewish Review has agreed to redact Eva N.’s full last name due to credible concerns for her safety. Nelson is Assistant Editor of The Jewish Review.
Opinions printed in The Jewish Review do not necessarily reflect those of The Jewish Review, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, its governing board or the staffs of either the newspaper or the Federation.