Chicago, Board of Education, Anti-Semitism

Chicago’s new education board president has a history of antisemitic posts

Critics warn that Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson’s views could impact educational policies and community relations.

Chicago, USA (Photo: Terelyuk/ Shutterstock )

Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, the newly appointed president of the Chicago Board of Education, has a troubling history of sharing antisemitic, anti-Israel, and pro-Hamas content on social media.

A review of his public and private Facebook posts since the October 7 Hamas attacks reveals dozens of inflammatory statements that praise the terrorist group, justify its actions, and disparage Jews who support Israel.

In one post from December, Johnson questioned, “How can a group of people who have suffered from the Holocaust join with the Alt Right Community?”

He continued to invoke the Holocaust in subsequent posts, claiming in February, “The Nazi Germans’ ideology has been adopted by the Zionist Jews.” In March, he wrote, “The Israeli government offers a renewal of Nazi language once directed toward European Jews, ‘savages, dogs, vermin.’”

Johnson's support for Hamas is evident as well. In March, he asserted, “People have an absolute right to attack their oppressors by any means necessary!!!”

This has raised concerns within the community, with figures like Silverstein commenting on the perceived lack of support for the Jewish community from the mayor. A spokesperson for Mayor Johnson did not respond to inquiries regarding Rev. Johnson's controversial social media activity.

* The Jewish Insider contributed to this article.


Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation, and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.


A Worthy Act, For Sure

Knesset passes Rav Kook Day law on preliminary vote

Avi Woolf | 18.12.24

Culinary victory

Israeli shawarma spot makes NY Times best list

Avi Nachmani | 15.12.24

From Enemies to Brothers in Song

The musical revolution that united Judaism's greatest opponents

Gila Isaacson | 15.12.24

Trump's personal guests of honor

Donald Trump invites Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis to the White House 

Gila Isaacson | 15.12.24

It's Brilliant, If You Think About It

Here's how to drive all those tzedaka scammers crazy

Moshe Manies | 12.12.24

An everyday occurrence in Australia

Antisemitism in Sydney: Car torched, anti-Israel graffiti defaces buildings

Avi Nachmani | 11.12.24

Thou shalt pay top dollar for this

World’s oldest Ten Commandments tablet hits the auction block 

Avi Nachmani | 10.12.24
Get JFeed App
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play