About the event

The National Council of Jewish Women, San Antonio (NCJW) is partnering with Trinity University to present a symposium addressing the alarming attempts by Christian Nationalists to impose their agenda in Texas Public Schools.

The event will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Trinity University and is free and open to the public. ASL Interpreters will be available.

The symposium will be moderated by Texas Public Radio’s, David Martin Davies. The distinguished panel includes:

  • State Representative James Talarico representing District 50 (north of Austin)

  • Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU)

  • David Brockman, Ph.D. a noted scholar of religion and public policy, and teaches religious studies courses at Texas Christian University

We will also be joined by Cameron Vickrey, a parent, minister and writer for the San Antonio Express News.

The bible-infused Texas Bluebonnet Curriculum, created by the State of Texas for English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) is just the latest step the legislature has taken to bring Christian Nationalist values into taxpayer-funded public schools. A 2023 law requires public schools to display donated “In God We Trust” posters. Another 2023 law allows unlicensed religious chaplains to offer mental health counseling at public schools. And Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continues to push for legislation in 2025 that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public-school classroom.

About Our Panelists

Cameron Mason Vickrey is a writer and minister from San Antonio, Texas. She works for a Christian nonprofit, Fellowship Southwest, writes for the San Antonio Express-News, and is the co-author of My Love, God Is Everywhere (2023). Cameron and her husband, Garrett, have three daughters who attend their neighborhood public elementary, middle and high schools.

David Martin Davies is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience covering Texas, the border and Mexico. Davies is the host of "The Source," an hour-long live call-in news program that airs on KSTX at noon Monday through Thursday. Since 2000 he has been the host and producer of "Texas Matters," a weekly radio news magazine and podcast that looks at the issues, events and people in the Lone Star State. Davies' reporting has been featured on National Public Radio, American Public Media's "Marketplace" and the BBC. He has written for The San Antonio Light, The San Antonio Express-News, The Texas Observer and other publications. His reporting has been recognized with numerous awards including national Edward R. Murrow awards and by the Public Media Journalists Association.

David R. Brockman, Ph.D., is a religious studies scholar and Christian theologian, serves as a Nonresident Scholar in Religion & Public Policy with Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He also teaches religious studies courses at Texas Christian University. Brockman has written extensively on church-state separation, Christian nationalism, and religion in public education. His analysis of Texas’s “Bible-infused” reading curriculum drew national coverage. His publications include No Longer the Same: Religious Others and the Liberation of Christian Theology (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011) and Dialectical Democracy through Christian Thought: Individualism, Relationalism, and American Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013).

Rachel Laser, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Rachel Laser became president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in February 2018. She is the organization’s first non-Christian and female leader in its 77 year history. Rachel is a lawyer, advocate and strategist who has dedicated her career to making our country more inclusive. In her position at Americans United, Rachel oversees the organization’s work to protect freedom of conscience for all and ensure religion is not used to justify discrimination. Prior to coming to AU, Rachel worked as an educator on white privilege and racism and held positions as deputy director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, director of the Culture Program at Third Way and senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC). Rachel is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Chicago Law School. She is a former board member of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Representative James Talarico is a former public school teacher and education non-profit leader who was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018. He earned degrees

from The University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University. Rep. Talarico currently serves on the Public Education Committee, the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, and the Calendars Committee and was named one of the Top 10 Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine for his accomplishments. During his three terms in office, Rep. Talarico has passed legislation to establish the first-ever cap on pre-K class sizes in Texas, equip schools with Narcan to fight teen overdoses, improve the quality and affordability of childcare, dramatically reduce prescription drug costs, and give incarcerated minors the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma. He is currently a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in addition to his work as a legislator.

CALL TO ACTION
DON’T DESPAIR! GET INVOLVED!

1. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

Healthy democracies lead to healthy communities because elected officials are accountable to voters. Voter turnout in the U.S. is low for many reasons: apathy and indifference; distrust in the election process; complicated rules and laws; and voter suppression. Today, it is more important than ever that we exercise our right to vote in every local, state and federal election.

Learn about candidates running for office and where they stand on the issues. Hosted by the League of Women Voters, this website provides nonpartisan information prepared by the candidates. https://www.vote411.org/ballot

2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL(S)

Even if you don’t currently have children enrolled in a public school, take an interest in your local school district. Attend school board meetings and be aware of who is running for school board elections. Members of your local school district boards have the power to make changes to what happens to every aspect of a child’s education, from the curricula used in the classroom to what books are allowed in the school library.

Now more than ever, it is important to get involved and be in the know if we want public education to survive (and, thrive) in Texas and in our country.

3. TALK TO FAMILY MEMBERS, PARENTS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS & TEACHERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Become an advocate and recruit others to join you! Need help in crafting your message? Check out these websites for talking points, toolkits, and sign ups for regular updates:

4. SHARE YOUR CONCERNS WITH STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

  • Texas School Board of Education (SBOE). The SBOE consists of 15 members who are elected by Texans to two or four year terms of office. Each member represents about 1.8 million Texans. Get to know the member who represents your school district: https://sboe.texas.gov/state-board-of-education/sboe-board-members/sboe-members

  • Texas State Legislature. The Legislature consists of the (150 members) and the Senate (31 members) and meets every other odd-numbered year. This body creates laws, approves budgets, and oversees government agencies. Get to know the members who represent you. https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home

5. PARTICIPATE IN TEXAS IMPACT’S “MARCHING ORDER MONDAYS”

During the Texas Legislative session, Texas Impact sends out action alerts, civic engagement, featured content, individual action, and weekly calls to action about the Legislature’s activities. https://texasimpact.org/marching-order-mondays-provide-weekly-call-to-action/

6. JOIN AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE

Americans United is the country’s leading advocacy organization for advancing the values of equality and freedom embedded in church-state separation. https://www.au.org/

Want to get involved locally? Contact the San Antonio chapter at https://americansunitedsa.org/board-of-directors/

7. SIGN UP FOR THE TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK’S DAILY UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE

Texas Freedom Network, a nonpartisan organization of more than 150,000 religious and community leaders, sends out daily news clips, toolkits, and opportunities to participate in actions at the state and local level. https://tfn.org/tfn-daily-news-clips/?ms=webnavbar

8. RECRUIT YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM IN TEXAS

Young people are our future! Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) actively engaging in hands-on opportunities for positive change through advocacy and education. Most recently, SEAT drafted a Students Bill of Rights and distributed it to more than 1,200 state legislators. https://www.studentsengaged.org/about

9. FOLLOW NCJW-SAN ANTONIO’S WEBSITE FOR MORE ACTION!

NCJW-SA will continue to be a reliable, consistent source of information about separation of church and state in Texas public schools. We have formed a resource group consisting of experts on this issue and invite you to visit our website with questions, ideas and comments. https://www.ncjwsa.org/

Resources

5 Calls

An app for your phone that enables you to quickly send a message to your Congressperson on a wide range of issues. https://5calls.org

Americans United for Separation of Church & State

A broad-based movement that includes people of all faiths and non-faith perspectives, genders, sexual orientations, political affiliations, and ethnic backgrounds, working  together to support the values of equality and freedom embedded in church-state separation. https://www.au.org

Christians Against Christian Nationalism

A grassroots campaign of Christians who are organizing their communities to fight Christian nationalism in their local contexts. https://christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org

Don't Defund My School.com

By entering the name of a school district on this website, you can see how much money would be drained from the district’s schools if a large⌄ voucher program was implemented. This website also provides specific action items that you can take to share your views with your state representatives. https://dontdefundmyschool.com

Students Engaged in Advancing Texas

SEAT is a movement of young people developing transferable skills and demonstrating youth visibility in policy making. https://studentsengaged.org

Texas Education Agency

Check the status of your school district’s involvement (or, lack thereof) on adoption of the Bluebonnet curriculum

Texas Freedom Network

A nonpartisan, grassroots organization of more than 150,000 religious and community leaders who support religious freedom, individual liberties and public education. https://www.tfn.org

Texas Impact

A interfaith coalition that equips faith leaders and their congregations with the information, opportunities, and outreach tools to educate their communities and engage with law makers on pressing public policy issues.  https://texasimpact.org