CAIR Connecticut urges Greenwich schools to stop using Jewish camp over Israel ties

CAIR Connecticut urged Greenwich Public Schools to stop using a Jewish camp for a sixth-grade field trip due to Israeli flags and Israel-related programming. The school district said it would proceed with the trip as planned. The camp director said the camp is proud to display an Israeli flag for its programs.

Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut said it would proceed with a planned fall trip for sixth graders at Eisner Camp, a Jewish camp in Massachusetts, despite pressure from CAIR Connecticut, a Muslim advocacy organization. CAIR objected to the trip, saying the camp's programming "incorporates connections to Israel" and that Israeli flags and yellow ribbons were displayed in spaces used during school visits. The camp director said the camp is proud to display an Israeli flag for its programs. The school superintendent responded that the district intends to provide an inclusive environment and will not take a political or religious stand. The article notes that some parents had raised concerns about the venue as early as March, and that CAIR also objected to promotional material about the camp bringing campers to visit Israeli army bases under the Gadna program, though the camp director said participants have not participated in Gadna since 2023.