Jewish educators in New York City's schools are condemning NYC Chancellor David Banks for what they call his "weak" response to the riot in Hillcrest High School against a pro-Zionist, Jewish teacher on November 20.
On November 20, a crowd of about 400 students at Hillcrest High School (out of a student body of approximately 2500) engaged in a riot later posted to TikTok, calling for the firing of a pro-Zionist, Jewish teacher. The school staff, having been warned in advance, alerted the teacher, who hid in a locked office.
While Education Chancellor David Banks did state at a press conference held two days ago (Monday) that they would be taking disciplinary action against the students responsible for the event, and that he could not give further details due to privacy rules, Jewish educators believe that he has not done enough, either rhetorically or in practice, to stamp out antisemitism in New York schools, according to reporting by the New York Post.
Tova Plaut, a member of the New York City Public School Alliance, said that this is Banks' "teachable moment" and that he should step up to stop hatred.
Karen Feldman, a social studies teacher in New York, said that Hillcrest was just one example of many where Jews feel threatened and unwelcome, and that employees and parents have shared examples of Jewish hate across the whole system.
Plaut's alliance demands Banks work energetically against antisemitism in the school system and include Jewish history and culture as well as Jews' place within the diversity and inclusion framework.
