Ironically, the realization of the organization's anti-racist mission is not currently inclusive of Jewish experiences, despite discrimination being explicitly prohibited in the employee handbook. I was encouraged to stay remote and not given office space in order for leadership to not have to address politically charged paraphernalia that was allowed to stay up for months at a colleague's neighboring desk, where children and staff were tacitly indoctrinated in anti-Jewish sentiments. This colleague also refused to shake my hand on my last day, reflecting the hostile work environment. Over my last six months of employment I wanted to not have to engage in the political discourse that was sometimes made mandatory in "equity team" led meetings and just wanted to do my job. I never brought up these topics and explicitly asked to not have to engage my colleagues on this level. Instead of enforcing the handbook rules, my messages to leadership were met with "this is above my pay grade" and inaction from leadership. However upon leaving, the icing on the cake was HR bringing in an external person and proceeded to try to gaslight me about any of this happening, but I have thorough documentation that has been shared with the DOE. I left because I did not feel safe or welcome as a Jewish person and hope management takes explicit steps so that others don't experience this. Grateful to have left this organization.
