Jewish Families in NYC Pull Children From Public Schools Amid Rise in Antisemitism
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Thousands of Jewish families in New York City have moved their children from public schools to Jewish educational settings following the October 7 Hamas attack. A "Teach Coalition" report shows a 2% rise in Jewish school enrollment for 2025-2026, with 60% of new parents citing the war as a reason. Parents report a hostile atmosphere and antisemitic incidents, including a teacher allegedly praising Yahya Sinwar and another accused of spreading conspiracy theories. At least 250 antisemitic or anti-Israel incidents were documented in public schools since the war began.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Thousands of Jewish families in New York have moved children from public to Jewish schools since October 7.
- Enrollment in Jewish schools rose 2% for 2025-2026, with 60% of new parents citing the war.
- Parents report a hostile atmosphere and increased antisemitism in public schools.
- A Brooklyn teacher is under investigation for allegedly praising Yahya Sinwar.
- Over 250 antisemitic or anti-Israel incidents were documented in public schools since the war.
- A mother withdrew her son due to disturbing incidents and friends refusing to speak to him.
Thousands of Jewish families in New York City have transferred their children from public schools to Jewish educational institutions since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, according to a "New York Post" investigation. A report by the organization "Teach Coalition" from June indicated a nearly 2% increase in students attending Jewish schools across the state, totaling approximately 3,100 students for the 2025-2026 academic year. Between 2022 and 2025, the overall growth reached 4.2%, more than double the rate of the preceding period.
Paul Bernstein, CEO of the educational network "Prizmah," stated that a new survey reveals 60% of parents who enrolled their children in Jewish schools admitted they would not have done so if not for the war that followed the Hamas terror attack. Many parents cited a hostile atmosphere and a sharp increase in hostile and venomous language towards Israel and Jewish people in public institutions.
In one instance, Deborah Uri, a mother of a student, recounted withdrawing her son from Townsend Harris High School shortly after the terror attack due to "several disturbing incidents." She told the "New York Post" that after October 7, "things changed at the school," and her son lost close friends who were no longer willing to interact with Jewish students. She added that the school administration "basically remained silent."
The issue has been exacerbated by a series of incidents involving teachers in the city's education system. Notably, a Brooklyn teacher, Damian Naba, is under investigation by city education authorities for allegedly posting "Long live Yahya Sinwar" in a chat group in 2024. Separately, last month, George Tirm, a social studies teacher, faced accusations of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories related to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.
A report by the organization "United Jewish Teachers" from last July documented at least 250 antisemitic or anti-Israel incidents in the city's public schools since the war began.
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