Amador County – In the wake of a student’s lawsuit alleging religious persecution at Amador High School, the Amador County Unified School District board of trustees late last month received a letter from the Foothill Jewish Community urging a more broad approach to combat intolerance. The December 24th letter, included in today’s school board agenda packet, was signed by members of Bnai Israel Foothill Jewish Community congregation, including Bob Baird, Sharyin Cunningham, Lynnette Lipp, Lenora Phillips and Arnie Zeiderman. Addressed to Superintendent Dick Glock and school board, the letter said a congregation committee voted unanimously December 19th to contact the district “regarding our ongoing concern that the district continue with substantive efforts to address the perception that intolerant and sometimes anti-Jewish comments and behaviors are expressed in class and on campus in our schools.” The committee noted said it “appreciates your generic efforts at recognizing ‘intolerance’ as a problem,” and urged “in the context of the alleged historic pattern” that a “more comprehensive program be adopted and broadly implemented” for students, faculty, and administrative and support staff. In the letter, the Bnai committee agreed with a national Jewish group “that all parties will benefit from recognized experts in addressing intolerance.” The letter supported a program presented by Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Chapin-Pinnoti. The committee offered to work with trustees in community monitoring, and specifically requested “establishing a timeline for implementing the full program,” and “informing the general community through routine news channels.” The committee sought a response and commitment from school board. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.