New York Jewish Families Leave Public Schools Amid Surging Antisemitism
Thousands of Jewish families in New York are pulling their children from public schools due to a hostile environment and rising antisemitism since October 7, shifting heavily toward Jewish day schools.
Jewish Families Leave New York Public Schools Amid Rising Antisemitism
Since the October 7, 2023 massacres, a growing number of Jewish parents in New York have pulled their children out of public schools, citing a hostile and hateful environment fostered by educators and peers. According to an investigation by the New York Post, thousands of families have shifted toward Jewish day schools and alternative safe educational frameworks over the past three years.
"They show students videos claiming that Israel is starving Palestinian girls, completely out of context," said Josh Horowitz, who relocated from Williamsburg to upstate New York to protect his daughter. Natalia Morakbar, a parent who withdrew her children from a public school in 2024, noted that the atmosphere shifted drastically following the terror attacks. "The language changed, the level of venom rose. Today it is clear to everyone that anti-Zionism is actually Jew-hatred and antisemitism in every sense," she told the newspaper.
"Today, in every consultation with a Jewish family, the question that always repeats itself is: 'How is this school for Jewish students?'"
Surge in Jewish Day School Enrollment
Field data strongly supports the parents' accounts. A report by the Teach Coalition found a roughly 2 percent increase—amounting to some 3,100 students—in Jewish school enrollment across New York State for the 2025–2026 academic year. Sydney Altfield, the organization's CEO, noted this marks a sharp acceleration compared to pre-war figures. Paul Bernstein, CEO of a network comprising hundreds of Jewish schools, revealed that 60 percent of new parents stated they would not have enrolled their children in these institutions were it not for the conflict.
School enrollment consultant Alina Adams stated that the number of New York Jewish families seeking to transfer institutions has doubled and even tripled. "Three years have already passed, and if anything, the situation has only worsened," she explained.
Teacher Misconduct and Antisemitic Incidents
A major catalyst for the mass departure is the conduct of certain educators within the system. Damian T. T. T., a Brooklyn teacher, sparked outrage after praising terrorists and writing "Long live Yahya Sinwar" in a messaging group in 2024. Last month, another teacher, George Trim, landed in trouble after spreading antisemitic 9/11 conspiracy theories.
A concerning report by the Jewish Teachers Association documented at least 250 antisemitic incidents inside the city's public school system since the onset of the war. "The moment the attack began, everything changed," concluded Deborah Ori, who withdrew her son from high school after he faced severe harassment. "He lost his close friends in a single day. They refused to speak to Jews, and the school administration simply remained silent."
