On Wednesday, December 6th, the UJA, JEP, and three teachers met with Chancellor David Banks to discuss the concerning rise of antisemitism in NYC public schools. This meeting was arranged after the unfortunate incident that occurred at Hillcrest High School on November 20th.
During the meeting, Chancellor Banks and his deputies engaged in a productive discussion with the attendees. They shared their thoughts on the situation at Hillcrest, expressed a willingness to learn from external organizations for future partnerships, and listened attentively to the issues being brought forward. The chancellor and his team conveyed a genuine desire to understand and address the problem.
Prior to this meeting, the city council’s Jewish caucus committee met with the Chancellor on Tuesday, December 5th. The ADL also met with the chancellor on Thursday, December 7th.
Moshe Spern, a Yeshiva Principal and NYC educator, was present at the meeting and expressed his concerns. He stated that the chancellor was deeply distressed by the events at Hillcrest High School and expressed a need for assistance in resolving the issue.
The teachers in attendance represented various NYCPS school communities and shared personal stories as well as accounts relayed to them by parents, students, and fellow teachers.
While the chancellor’s commitment to meeting with Jewish leaders and community members is commendable, there remains a question of whether concrete policies, actions, and effective communication will materialize.
Moshe Spern commented, “We believe this meeting was a positive step towards addressing antisemitism, but I am continuously informed of incidents ranging from micro aggressions to swastikas in schools. As one advocate among many, it is daunting not knowing how to guide everyone.”
Following the meeting, it was reported that Hillcrest High School had another incident involving a swastika in the cafeteria on December 6th. It is evident that addressing this issue requires a systemic approach, rather than focusing solely on one school.
Much appreciation should go towards Eric Goldstein and Daniel Rosenthal from the UJA for organizing the meeting and establishing a partnership, as well as David Bryfman from the Jewish Education Project. Recognition was also given to Shans and Karen, both members of the NYCPS Alliance, for their involvement. Together, they collaborated on addressing a pressing issue faced by our community, with the hope that it will no longer be a concern in the future for the sake of the children, parents, and all school staff.
