Controversy Erupts as Bklyn Parent Council Holds Meeting During Shabbat, Sparking Allegations of Anti-Semitism

Edited by: Fern Sidman

A parent council in Brooklyn’s heavily Jewish District 22 has come under scrutiny and faced accusations of anti-Semitism after holding a “special meeting” on a Friday evening in January, a time when observant Jews were observing the Sabbath, as was reported on Saturday in the New York Post. Outraged community members have decried the move as discriminatory, leading to calls for an investigation into the actions of the Community Education Council (CEC) and its president, Tracy Jordan-Bates.

The Community Education Council for District 22 encompasses Flatbush, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, and Manhattan Beach. According to the information provided in the Post report, the council scheduled a follow-up meeting on January 19 at 6:30 pm to vote on resolutions after its initial meeting on January 9 went fully remote due to a snowstorm. Despite pleas and calls to reschedule the meeting to accommodate those observing the Sabbath, the forum proceeded as planned.

Critics argue that the intentional scheduling of the meeting during the Jewish Sabbath excluded observant Jewish families from participating in the public forum. As was indicated in the Post report, the decision faced backlash from parents, community members, and elected officials who denounced the move as anti-Semitic, emphasizing that the area is home to many Jewish families with children attending local schools.

During the meeting, the volunteer board swiftly voted on several resolutions, including seeking alternatives to mayoral control of NYC schools, supporting class size mandates, and opposing a 60-day limit on shelter stays for migrants and public school families, the report in the Post said. The meeting, lasting approximately 15 minutes, excluded public participation and sparked concerns about the lack of inclusivity.

Jewish Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, representing part of District 22, filed discrimination complaints with both the city and federal education departments. According to the information in the Post report, she asserted that the meeting’s timing violated the Open Meetings Law, which requires public notice at least one week prior and posting the notice in a public location at least 72 hours before the meeting. Vernikov called for an investigation into the actions of Tracy Jordan-Bates and emphasized the need for accountability regarding the overtly “discriminatory behavior.”

While the New York City Department of Education (DOE) acknowledged the concerns and made the CEC aware of the situation, it emphasized that CECs are autonomous bodies. The report in the Post also said that the DOE provides support for accessing and interpreting the law but does not regulate the scheduling of meetings by individual CECs, leaving them to set their own meeting dates.

The controversy has prompted renewed discussions about the role of CECs and their responsibility to ensure inclusivity and compliance with laws. As allegations of anti-Semitism linger, calls for an investigation into the actions of Tracy Jordan-Bates and the CEC persist, underscoring the importance of fair and transparent governance within the educational system.