In a powerful display of unity and concern, hundreds of supporters gathered outside NYC Public School Chancellor Banks’ office to protest a weak response to antisemitism within the city’s public school system. Organized by the NYCPS Alliance in partnership with End Jew Hatred, a rally on the steps of TWEED in lower Manhattan aimed to raise awareness about the growing incidents of Jew Hatred and antisemitism in NYC Public Schools and the inadequate plan outlined in Chancellor Banks’ January 22, 2024, “Meet the Moment” press conference. “The press conference did nothing more than continue to demonstrate Banks’ dangerous failure and lack of seriousness in addressing antisemitism in our schools,” said Lisa Liss, a concerned NYC parent.
Rally participants filled the air with chants of “Am Yisroel Chai” and “No more Jew Hatred” as students, parents, and educators shared their painful accounts of enduring antisemitism and Jew Hatred-inspired bullying in their schools. A high school student Shaayna Levin shared that she has been forced to transfer schools four times due to antisemitic bullying. She bravely stood before the crowd and recalled the numerous antisemitic incidents she experienced, “There were swastikas drawn on my notebooks, death threats made and vows to finish Hilter’s job.” Shaayna recalled and each time “The school’s administration did nothing.” Shaayna is not alone. Jewish students, families, and faculty in NYC’s public schools are subjected to antisemitic taunts, Jewish tropes, and violence. “Jewish students face teachers who express anti-Israel bias in class and penalize them for proudly expressing their Zionism.” Said Hannah Gavrilov a NYC high school student.
The NYCPS Alliance has been on the forefront of fighting antisemitism in NYC Public Schools since the October 7th massacre committed by Hamas. Founder, Tova Plaut called upon Mayor Adams and Chancelor Banks to face antisemitism head on. “It is time to value our Jewish voices. It is time to protect our Jewish students. It is time to hold accountable those that spread lies and embed biases in our children. It is time to educate against Jewish hate in our schools.” she said as rally supporters gathered together. The Chancellor’s plan left many wondering about his commitment to ensuring that bias, anti Israel and antisemitic content be eradicated from classrooms.
As of today, there have been no reports of educators facing consequences for spreading hate and lies in the classrooms. “I keep thinking, ‘This can’t be. How is this possible’ If it were any other group, how would it be handled?” questions Carin Bail, A NYC parent and educator. Karen Feldman, a NYC educator and NYCPS Alliance leader added, “We must enforce meaningful and serious consequences against students and faculty members who engage in any aggressive public disruptions and intimidation tactics as a form of advocacy or social justice.” The NYCPS Alliance is advocating for the NYC Public Schools to focus on creating a tool kit and protocol to define all forms of antisemitism by adopting, applying and enforcing the IHRA definition of antisemitism with all it’s examples. Doing so will ensure that targeting Jewish students because of their homeland or affinity to Israel, calling a Jewish student or teacher a “baby killer” or “smelly” and delegitimizing Israel’s right to exist will all be enforceable antisemitic incidents.
If you have been a victim of or witness to antisemitism, Jew Hatred or Jewish Erasure in NYC Pubic Schools or want to get involved in supporting Jewish students and educators reach out to NYCPS Alliance at [email protected].
