I agree on your perspective on the bible, a book as to how to live, especially the New Testament (Minus some harsh chapters in the Old Testament such as Leviticus).
Evangelicals are some of the biggest hypocrites today but they are not alone in that. The teaching of do unto others as you would have them do unto you or love thy neighbor as thyself has been lost for quite a long time. For myself, the teachings in the Gospels are a not just a telling of Jesus and redemption but also as you said instruction on how to live a good life and treat others kindly.
I will be honest, I do not know many Jewish people where I live but I do not understand the rampant anti-semitism in this nation. Jesus and the twelve apostles are/were Jewish and I have not a clue as to why that is not considered before people malign, slur them or worse.
That is also interesting about the school board and I am glad you pushed back. I am grateful for the catholic education I received but I always, then and still now, ask questions and speak out when something does not make sense or is not right.