ICAN Statement on the Nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education
The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) warmly welcomes the nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education in the incoming administration. With her proven leadership and dedication to empowering individuals through opportunity and innovation, we are enthusiastic about her ability to foster an education system that promotes inclusivity, understanding, and success for all students.
We look forward to working together to advance policies that support Jewish and Israeli-American communities and inspire the next generation of leaders.
A Proven Leader in Business and Public Service
Secretary-Designate McMahon brings decades of experience as a visionary leader in both the private and public sectors. As the co-founder and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), she helped grow a small regional company into a global enterprise, creating thousands of jobs and transforming an entire industry through innovation and determination.
From 2017 to 2019, Secretary-Designate McMahon served as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she championed small businesses, promoted entrepreneurial opportunities, and empowered millions of Americans to pursue economic success. Her leadership modernized SBA operations, expanded access to capital, and underscored her deep commitment to uplifting communities through education and economic growth.
With a proven track record of results-driven leadership, Secretary-Designate McMahon is uniquely positioned to bring fresh ideas and a spirit of innovation to the Department of Education. Her dedication to empowering individuals and creating opportunities reflects the values of perseverance, inclusion, and achievement that are central to a thriving education system.
Challenges and Opportunities for Jewish and Israeli-American Students in Public Education
Over the past year, Jewish and Israeli-American students, teachers, and families have faced unprecedented challenges in public education across the United States. From rising incidents of antisemitism to concerns over curricula and safety, these experiences underscore the urgent need for policies that ensure inclusivity, fairness, and equal opportunity for all students.
The Rise of Antisemitism: Incidents of antisemitism in public schools have increased significantly, leaving Jewish and Israeli-American students feeling marginalized and unsafe. From discriminatory rhetoric to acts of vandalism and harassment, these behaviors undermine the fundamental values of respect and inclusion in education.
Biased Curricula and Classroom Content: Concerns have emerged over curricula and programs, especially around ethnic studies requirements, that fail to reflect balanced narratives about Israel and Jewish history. Such omissions or inaccuracies contribute to misunderstanding and exclusion, isolating Jewish and Israeli-American students from their peers.
The Need for Holocaust and Antisemitism Education: Inconsistent Holocaust education across public schools has left gaps in understanding history’s critical lessons. Ignorance and distortion fuel prejudice and hate, highlighting the importance of access to comprehensive and accurate Holocaust and antisemitism education.
Ensuring Safety and Cultural Inclusion: Jewish families and educators continue to express concerns about physical safety and the lack of opportunities to celebrate Jewish heritage, such as Hebrew language programs. These factors further contribute to a sense of exclusion and insecurity in public education systems.
ICAN encourages U.S. Senators, community leaders, and all those committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship to recognize the importance of this nomination and to support a timely and thoughtful confirmation process, ensuring that America has the leadership needed to strengthen its relationship with Israel during this historic time.
What It Means to Be Pro-Israeli-American
At ICAN, being pro-Israeli-American means uniting Israeli-American immigrants and pro-Israel Americans into a cohesive, action-oriented coalition that strengthens the U.S.-Israel alliance while addressing domestic challenges that both communities face, like hate and antisemitism. It is an advocacy model rooted in shared values of democracy, innovation, and security, reflecting the unique role Israeli-Americans play as a bridge between two vibrant democracies. Pro-Israeli-American advocacy recognizes that the future stability and strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship depends on:
- Building bipartisan support for policies that strengthen mutual security and economic prosperity.
- Promoting the value of initiatives like the Abraham Accords, which exemplify the power of regional cooperation and diplomacy.
- Combating antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment through people-to-people, Israeli-American immigrant, and pro-Israel American cooperation.
This approach is dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking, ensuring that our communities have a powerful and unified voice in shaping policies that benefit both nations.
The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) is the only organization that brings together Israeli and American activists to create change for a better America, a more secure Israel, and a stronger U.S.-Israel alliance.
ICAN works with community leaders, public officials, and grassroots organizations to strengthen the bond between the United States and Israel at all levels of government through civic education, advocacy, and public engagement. It also promotes policies that support the Israeli-American community and foster mutual understanding. With a focus on policy leadership and strategic engagement, ICAN is committed to empowering Israeli-American activists and pro-Israel Americans to take an active role in shaping public policy.
Learn more about the Israeli-American Civic Action Network at IsraelUSA.org.