Parents and students within our community have experienced the unfortunate reality that Palestinian perspectives are being marginalized within our public school system. Recent reports highlight that these views are often dismissed as "disrespectful," negating the rich diversity of thought that should be celebrated in our educational environment. In a public statement, Superintendent Pero claimed the visits facilitated by the Pittsford Modi'in Education Bridge and the Shinshinim Program are "apolitical" and that there have been no complaints from students or parents. However, we have undisputable evidence of the contrary – email correspondences illustrating past grievances.

Every year, our schools host Israeli emissaries who are reported to include biased content in their presentations such as maps of "Greater Israel." This does not support an apolitical stance but is a clear introduction of foreign political propaganda into our schools, causing distress among students of Palestinian descent and others who are aware of the sensitivity and implications surrounding this narrative.

The educational environment should be a sanctuary for open and unbiased learning, fostering an atmosphere where all voices and perspectives are respected equally. By promoting a singular political ideology, we fail to uphold this critical standard of education, potentially creating a harmful and exclusionary environment.

We understand that cultural exchange can broaden students' perspectives; however, such initiatives must be carefully curated to ensure equilibrium and respect for all. Therefore, we call upon the superintendent and the Pittsford Central School District Board to remove the Pittsford Modi'in Education Bridge and the Shinshinim Program from our public schools until a balanced and inclusive approach is developed.

We demand that any future programs should promote genuine cultural dialogue and be preparatory consultations with diverse community representatives. It is imperative to cultivate educational opportunities that unite, not divide us, and celebrate our diversity rather than diminish it.

Please sign this petition to stand with us in our commitment to a fair, inclusive, and welcoming educational environment for all students within the Pittsford school district.

We, the undersigned members of the community, write to express urgent concerns about the Pittsford Modi'in Education Bridge program currently active in our school district and many others across New York State. Parents and guardians have not been meaningfully informed or consulted prior to the program’s implementation. The program places Israeli high school graduates, who defer their military service in the Israeli Defense Force by one year, into classrooms with elementary, middle and high school students, raising serious questions about equity, safety, and transparency.  Our concerns include:

🔹 Equity
Parents and students have reported that Palestinian perspectives are being dismissed as “disrespectful.” Superintendent Pero has stated that these visits are “apolitical” and no complaints have been made by students or parents. However the Israeli emissaries are reported to show maps of “Greater Israel.” These maps are foreign political propaganda.  We also have email correspondence of complaints that have been made in the past. This creates a harmful and exclusionary environment for Arab American and Palestinian American children, as well as concerned Christian, Jewish, and Muslim American voices. Public schools must not privilege one side of an international conflict while silencing another. All students deserve to feel seen, heard, and respected. Many students have been traumatized by this program. 
🔹 Safety
Parents were not given the opportunity to approve this arrangement. It remains unclear whether appropriate background checks are conducted or whether it is safe and appropriate to leave foreign adults—representing a foreign government—unsupervised with students. Superintendent Pero has stated that children are not left unsupervised; however, students reported that their teachers have left them alone with these strangers.  When asked for the names of the Israeli emissaries, we were not provided this information.  It is disturbing that the Jewish Federation is able to hand select Israeli emissaries, but American parents are not allowed to know who is coming into their schools.
🔹 Transparency
Families should be notified and consulted before outside programs are introduced, especially those involving sensitive political and cultural topics. The lack of transparency undermines trust between the district and the community.  Superintendent Pero has stated that parents are fully informed; however, we have parents and email correspondence that proves this is false for most, if not all, impacted individuals.  There has been no meaningful consent in the past.  We have requested, and not received, any information regarding what kind of consent has been obtained this year.
🔹 Institutional Alignment
This program is not a neutral or independent cultural exchange. It operates through the Partnership2Gether initiative, which is coordinated by the Jewish Agency for Israel in cooperation with the Jewish Federations of North America, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. It also involves collaboration with the Modi’in–Maccabim–Re’ut Department of Education, which functions under Israel’s national Ministry of Education.

Because the Education Ministry in Modi’in is part of Israel’s government structure, this collaboration represents a direct partnership between our public school district and a foreign governmental body. While described as a “people-to-people” program, it engages official entities that carry governmental authority and policy objectives.

Such a relationship conflicts with the neutrality expected of U.S. public schools and raises serious concerns about political influence, balance, and fairness within our educational environment.

We respectfully request that the District:

1.     Pause participation in the ShinShinim program until a full and public review is completed.
2.     Commit to balance and inclusion: If Israeli perspectives are invited into classrooms, Palestinian voices must also be represented.
3.     Discontinue the program entirely if balance, safety, and transparency cannot be guaranteed.

This petition is not about denying students exposure to global perspectives. It is about ensuring that such exposure is equitable, safe, and respectful of all students—especially those from marginalized communities.