Book Banning."None is poor save him that lacks knowledge." (Talmud, Nedarim)
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Our Position
We are deeply concerned about the rise in book challenges and book removals from libraries across the country, and especially Tennessee. Three hundred forty-nine books have been banned in Tennessee with more bans expected in the future. Books have long been valued by Jews – both for their own sake, but also because book bans result in the suppression of history and distortion of readers’ understanding of the world around them. Recent book challenges, aggressive in nature and frequently based on false characterizations of the books in question, are designed to limit learning to a narrow worldview. Books serve as mirrors that validate readers’ experiences and as windows that allow them to learn about the many cultures, religions, and identities that make up the American story and our global community. Removing books compromises the need all readers have to see themselves reflected in literature and to learn about the world in which we live.
We are keenly aware that the banning of books is antithetical to the functioning of a healthy, free, and democratic society. We strongly oppose the use of banned book lists promoted by organizations from outside of Tennessee whose agenda is to promote a narrow view of humanity that excludes the stories of many people of different cultures, races, sexual orientation, genders, and religions. Our history shows us the ramifications of such actions. Book banning was one of the first antisemitic actions of the Nazis leading up to the Holocaust. Ironically, the Holocaust is one of the topics of books on some of the suggested lists of books to be banned, including the recent instances of challenges to Maus in Tennessee, and Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation.
NJSJR believes that the widest range of viewpoints on a variety of subjects should be made available to anyone entering a library. Yet, as those who combat antisemitic disinformation and incidents as well as Holocaust denial, we must insist that books containing obvious lies or deliberate misinformation have no place on the shelves of public or school libraries. NJSJR champions and defends the freedoms included in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
It is our belief that all parents have the individual right to make decisions about the reading material of their child. However, groups wishing to determine what all children should be allowed to read, from school and/or public libraries, do not have the right to limit access for other people’s children. Further, we should be aware when Social Studies standards are being revised, and should weigh in on subjects of Jewish history, Israel, Judaism, the Hebrew Bible, and the Holocaust.
NSJR joins with others in strongly condemning acts of censorship and book banning. We call upon all concerned members of our community and the public to support libraries as centers for the free exchange of ideas and as anchors in the fostering of cultural pluralism and democracy.
The Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable opposes restrictions on book access both in public libraries and in public schools.
We are keenly aware that the banning of books is antithetical to the functioning of a healthy, free, and democratic society. We strongly oppose the use of banned book lists promoted by organizations from outside of Tennessee whose agenda is to promote a narrow view of humanity that excludes the stories of many people of different cultures, races, sexual orientation, genders, and religions. Our history shows us the ramifications of such actions. Book banning was one of the first antisemitic actions of the Nazis leading up to the Holocaust. Ironically, the Holocaust is one of the topics of books on some of the suggested lists of books to be banned, including the recent instances of challenges to Maus in Tennessee, and Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation.
NJSJR believes that the widest range of viewpoints on a variety of subjects should be made available to anyone entering a library. Yet, as those who combat antisemitic disinformation and incidents as well as Holocaust denial, we must insist that books containing obvious lies or deliberate misinformation have no place on the shelves of public or school libraries. NJSJR champions and defends the freedoms included in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
It is our belief that all parents have the individual right to make decisions about the reading material of their child. However, groups wishing to determine what all children should be allowed to read, from school and/or public libraries, do not have the right to limit access for other people’s children. Further, we should be aware when Social Studies standards are being revised, and should weigh in on subjects of Jewish history, Israel, Judaism, the Hebrew Bible, and the Holocaust.
NSJR joins with others in strongly condemning acts of censorship and book banning. We call upon all concerned members of our community and the public to support libraries as centers for the free exchange of ideas and as anchors in the fostering of cultural pluralism and democracy.
The Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable opposes restrictions on book access both in public libraries and in public schools.
Get Involved
Report Censorship - American Library Association
Learn More
Current Tennessee Bills
Improvements to Age Appropriate Materials Act - This law provides more clarity to the Age Appropriate Materials Act of 2022. It adds that obscene
materials must be kept from public school libraries. Obscene materials include content that is sexually explicit or excessively violent. The law adds to the
existing Age Appropriate Materials Act which was passed in 2022. (Senate Bill 1060 / sponsored by Hensley, Yager, Bailey, Bowling, Crowe, Niceley,
Rose / Effective Date: July 1, 2024 / Public Chapter 782 - SB 1060 / HB0843)
Sources
Improvements to Age Appropriate Materials Act - This law provides more clarity to the Age Appropriate Materials Act of 2022. It adds that obscene
materials must be kept from public school libraries. Obscene materials include content that is sexually explicit or excessively violent. The law adds to the
existing Age Appropriate Materials Act which was passed in 2022. (Senate Bill 1060 / sponsored by Hensley, Yager, Bailey, Bowling, Crowe, Niceley,
Rose / Effective Date: July 1, 2024 / Public Chapter 782 - SB 1060 / HB0843)
Sources