Erica Winsor of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston believes Texas public schools should teach that the Bible exists . ”It is a piece of literature,” she said. “It is something many people believe in. And teaching that it exists, and that there is a set of beliefs that are included in it, is certainly not a bad thing.” But Winsor, a Houston native and former assistant district attorney in Harris County , is also among the majority of Houston’s 65,000 Jewish residents concerned with a proposed curriculum that infuses Bible-based teachings into K-5 reading and language arts lessons statewide.
Winsor expressed worry earlier this week that a tax-funded focus on Christianity in public schools could isolate Jewish students in the classrooms. “Our issue is when you teach the principles of the faith,” Winsor said, speaking in her role as public affairs officer for the Jewish Federation. “For us, there’s a difference in teaching about religion and actually teaching religion—and that’s a distinction that needs to be made for all the faiths. We think there’s value in teaching that Christianity exists, and Judaism and Hinduism and Buddhism and Islam, all of those faith exist in the world and all have a place.”
Earlier this month, the State Board of Education heard similiar public comment about the proposed materials, roughly 10 percent of which feature reading lessons that include biblical references. The 15-member board is expected to vote on the proposed curriculum in November. If approved, the decision to adopt the curriculum would rely on the school districts for August 2025…