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The coalition argues that Jewish psychologists do not qualify as an underrepresented group under the APA’s framework.
By Shula Rosen
A bloc of national racial and ethnic psychological organizations has formally opposed a proposal to recognize an Association of Jewish Psychologists within the American Psychological Association.
The coalition argues that Jewish psychologists do not qualify as an underrepresented group under the APA’s framework.
The Coalition of National Racial and Ethnic Psychological Associations, known as CONREPA, said in a statement that Jewish psychologists are already well represented within the APA and that most Jewish Americans identify as white.
CONREPA represents psychologists who are Black, Native American, Latino, Asian American, and Arab, Middle Eastern and North African.
The bloc said the creation of a separate ethnic association for Jewish psychologists would improperly merge religious identity with racial and ethnic classifications.
“Conflating religion, race and ethnicity … obscures the role of racism, white privilege and white supremacy in the historical and contemporary oppression of people of color,” the statement said.
The group added that Jewish psychologists who are people of color already have representation through existing ethnic psychological associations.
The coalition referenced the APA’s 2021 apology acknowledging its failure to address racism against people of color, noting that the apology did not include antisemitism or religious discrimination.
The statement was endorsed by several organizations, including the Association of Black Psychologists, the Society of Indian Psychologists, the Asian American Psychological Association, the National Latinx Psychological Association, and the American Arab, Middle Eastern and North African Psychological Association.
The Anti-Defamation League sharply criticized the coalition’s position, calling it discriminatory.
ADL Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Greenblatt said it was “factually wrong and harmful” to suggest that Jewish psychologists do not face discrimination or do not merit formal recognition within the APA.
The ADL said antisemitism within the APA has become an increasing concern, citing prior institutional support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel and reports of harassment targeting Jewish members.
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