Jewish Advocacy Group Urges DOJ to Investigate NYC Schools Amid Rising Antisemitism
The National Jewish Advocacy Center has formally requested a federal probe into the city's Department of Education, citing reports of parents withdrawing children due to alleged widespread antisemitism.
A national Jewish legal rights organization has called upon the Trump administration to investigate New York City's Department of Education, following reports that parents are removing their children from public schools due to increasing antisemitism.
The National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC) submitted a request to the Department of Justice on Monday, referencing evidence documented in New York Post articles published since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks in Israel. The group noted a rise in enrollment at Jewish schools and yeshivas while the public school student population has seen a decline in recent years.
"Parents of Jewish children who attend, or were driven from, the Board’s [NYC Board of Education/Department of Education] schools, and Jewish employees of the Board, are prepared to be interviewed," stated the complaint addressed to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
This request comes as two federal probes are already underway concerning the city's public school system. In April, the Trump administration's Education Department initiated a civil rights investigation into the city DOE over allegations concerning a pro-Palestinian group of educators, NYC Educators for Palestine. This group was accused of organizing lessons focused on "Palestine, Zionism, and Resistance."
At the time, US Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey commented, "No child should be taught by his or her teachers to hate their peers."
A separate federal civil rights investigation, related to "shared ancestry," was launched into the DOE in November 2023.
The NJAC's letter also cited a report from United Jewish Teachers, an organization of Jewish educators employed by NYC Public Schools. This report claimed that at least 250 antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents have occurred in the schools since October 7, 2023.
Specific incidents highlighted include a teacher at Brooklyn's PS 77 Park Slope, Damien Neva, who reportedly posted in a 2024 Signal group chat, "Long live Yahya al-Sinwar," according to a recent legal filing. Al-Sinwar is identified as the Hamas leader responsible for orchestrating the October 7th attacks.
Another case mentioned involves George Trim, a social studies teacher at IS 181 in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, who allegedly told students that World Trade Center owner Larry Silverstein was aware of the September 11, 2001, attacks in advance and did not intervene.
The letter detailed that enrollment in New York State's Jewish day schools and yeshivas increased by 3,115 students during the 2025-26 school year, with 1,587 of those in New York City alone, while overall nonpublic school enrollment decreased.
Mark Goldfederr, CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, stated that the Justice Department's intervention is necessary to combat antisemitism.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed, "The Department takes allegations of antisemitism seriously and is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination."
Representatives for the city DOE and the Mayor's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.