ADL Files Civil Rights Complaint Against School District of Philadelphia

The Anti-Defamation League filed a federal civil rights complaint on July 23 on behalf of Jewish parents whose children were subjected to “severe and persistent harassment and discrimination” from fellow students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia.

The Title VI complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights alleged that since Oct. 7 the school district “knowingly allowed its grade K through 12 schools to become ‘viciously hostile’ environments for Jewish students, while failing to address numerous incidents of antisemitic harassment, bullying, and discrimination.”

The complain contends that after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, “a virulent wave of antisemitism swept through its schools.”

“Since the Oct. 7 attack, the Philadelphia Schools have fostered a toxic environment that has allowed antisemitism against Jewish students to metastasize and fester without repercussions,” said James Pasch, ADL Senior Director of National Litigation. “What’s worse, the district has encouraged a rampant culture of retaliation and fear that has prevented Jewish parents and students from coming forward.”

The complaint contends that Jewish parents have complained to the district, but “virtually nothing” was done in response, with complainants facing “blatant retaliation.”

“Philadelphia schools have a long history of providing a safe and welcoming environment for students of all identities. However, in the recent past – and especially in the aftermath of Oct. 7 – we’ve seen a stark rise in incidents and attitudes that alienate Jewish students, faculty and families,” ADL Philadelphia Regional Director Andrew Goretsky said. “Jewish students face a shameful and pervasive litany of antisemitic harassment from their peers, and teachers and administrators, the professionals tasked with our children’s education. This pattern is dangerous, completely unacceptable, and needs to stop now.”

An ADL press release mentions several examples of incidents.

The complaint calls for the Department of Education to appoint an independent investigator and for the district to “take a series of proactive steps to protect Jewish and Israeli students.”

A school district spokesperson told NBC 10 that the district couldn’t comment on an active investigation.