Edited by: Fern Sidman

Joe Algrant, head of Ethical Culture Fieldston School, one of New York City’s most prestigious private institutions, resigned on Thursday. According to a report in The New York Post, his departure comes shortly after reports surfaced about escalating tensions among parents over the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.

In a statement, the school announced Algrant’s decision to step down after two years in the position to “pursue other personal and professional goals and opportunities.” According to the latest tax filings, Algrant’s base salary was $404,700. The Post report indicated that he has had a long-standing relationship with the school, having served as an educator and administrator for 17 years before leaving in 2002, only to return two decades later to assume the role of head.

Algrant’s resignation occurs during a particularly turbulent period for the school. Relations between Jewish parents and students and those who oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza have become increasingly strained, particularly following the October 7th terror attack by Hamas, as per the information provided in The Post report. This incident has intensified the discord within the school community, leading to a series of troubling incidents and deepening divisions.

Jewish parents at Fieldston, which charges $63,000 per year in tuition, have voiced their distress over various incidents. These include anti-Israel graffiti on the school campus and reports of a student being harassed with derogatory terms such as “ethnic cleanser” and “colonizer,” as was noted in The Post report.  According to the student’s mother, a teacher even made an obscene gesture towards a rabbi.

On the other hand, some parents, including “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin, argue that students have faced unjust punishment for expressing support for Palestinian people. As was pointed out in The Post report, Hostin, whose two children graduated from Fieldston, describes herself as “antiwar” and has been vocal about the perceived unfair treatment of students who advocate for Palestinian rights.

The controversy reached a peak with a letter sent to the school on July 7, signed by over 100 parents and alumni, including Hostin. According to the information contained in The Post report, the letter highlighted concerns about “unequal discipline, unfair treatment, and biased standards” that they believe their children have faced since the escalation of the Middle East conflict. It called for the school to engage in transparent and respectful dialogue to address these issues.

“We the undersigned parents of color, parents of students of color expect the school to meet with us, treat us with respect, and come to transparent resolutions that reflect the best efforts of the entire community, instead of the loudest efforts of part of it,” the letter stated, as was indicated in The Post report. It was signed by a diverse group of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and LGBTQ parents and alumni.

The recent turmoil at Fieldston intensified following the suspension and expulsion of a young Afro-Caribbean student. The report in The Post said that although the school did not officially disclose the reason for the expulsion, many parents and alumni believe it was linked to the student’s choice of attire, which featured a Palestinian flag and the words “Free Palestine.”

This incident has been a flashpoint in a series of pro-Hamas protests and accusations of anti-Semitism from Jewish parents. The Post reported that demonstrations have become a common sight at the school, with one former parent describing Fieldston on Instagram as “a hotbed of Jew-hate and these terror-supporting students.”

The school’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict has drawn sharp reactions from both sides. On May 19, a group of Jewish families and alumni sent a “Stop Antisemitism” letter to the school’s administrators, outlining ten demands aimed at making the school environment safer for Jewish students, according to the information in The Post report. However, according to two parents, the school has not responded to this letter, further fueling dissatisfaction.

The growing divide prompted students to form “affinity groups” based on racial, religious, and cultural identities. Indicated in The Post report was that while these groups were intended to provide a sense of community, they have also contributed to the conflicts, highlighting the deep-seated divisions within the school.

In his resignation statement, Algrant reflected on his tenure, describing it as “an unforgettable experience that has pushed and pulled me to new levels of challenge and fulfillment,” The Post reported. His departure marks the end of a tumultuous period characterized by intense debates over the school’s role in addressing complex geopolitical issues and the clearly biased treatment of its Jewish students.