By: Fern Sidman

A series of incendiary, antisemitic messages infiltrating New York City’s Department of Education (DOE) communications has prompted outrage and alarm, with faculty and education experts decrying what they call a dangerous normalization of hate speech within the city’s school system. The New York Post has learned that at least five such incidents have occurred over the past two months, revealing both systemic vulnerabilities and a growing atmosphere of intimidation for Jewish teachers and students.

In the most recent episode, teachers at a large Brooklyn elementary and middle school were shocked to receive an unsolicited and inflammatory email on Monday titled: “How Much Jewish Wealth From The Black Slave Trade Was Used To Help Create Israel?” The message, sent from the encrypted address [email protected], included links to over a dozen articles pushing long-debunked conspiracy theories, many penned by Nation of Islam figure Louis Farrakhan — including one claiming “Jewish behavior has ill-affected Black people and others.” Other links included a Palestinian children’s workbook depicting “bullies called Zionists.”

“This is clearly an attack,” one Jewish teacher told The New York Post. The teacher, who wears a Star of David at work, requested anonymity to protect the reputation of her school, which she described as previously “close-knit and harmonious.” She added, “There was never an issue with antisemitism — not once. It wouldn’t be fair to drop such a stain on the school.”

While the sender remains unidentified, the accessibility of DOE staff email addresses on publicly available websites suggests the incident could be part of a broader campaign. Two assistant principals expressed horror when informed of the message, but the school’s principal has yet to address the issue publicly or with staff, the teacher noted.

This latest incident is part of a disturbing trend that The New York Post has been tracking closely in recent weeks. In early April, outrage erupted after a 17-page “Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit” was embedded in a DOE newsletter sent to teachers and parents. The document accused Israel of war crimes and provided materials for classroom use, sparking a formal apology from schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

Later that same month, a newsletter titled “Teacher Career Pathways” distributed across the city’s 1,800 public schools called on educators to uplift student voices about the so-called “genocide in Gaza,” again drawing rebuke from Jewish advocacy groups and community leaders. In response, Aviles-Ramos instituted a temporary moratorium on the release of any mass communications without her explicit review, citing “deeply offensive and politically one-sided materials.”

Despite those measures, the leaks have persisted. In early May, an activist group known as Labor for Palestine Network sent a blast email through DOE servers, urging teachers to participate in a May Day strike and engage in “civil disobedience” over the war in Gaza. Although the DOE pledged to investigate, no public disciplinary actions have been announced.

The New York Post also reported last month on flyers distributed in several Manhattan schools encouraging teachers to vote for union candidates who would support divesting pension funds from Israel. These flyers surfaced just days after two Israeli embassy staffers were gunned down in Washington, D.C., in a brutal shooting by a man who shouted, “Free Palestine” as he opened fire.

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) promptly disavowed the flyers, and the DOE stated it had them removed from school buildings. However, these recurring breaches have fueled criticism that the department is failing to protect Jewish educators and students from a hostile environment.

Karen Feldman, a middle-school teacher and Holocaust educator studying antisemitism in public education, told The New York Post that the problem extends beyond isolated incidents. “This points to a systemic issue,” she warned. “We must all demand stronger oversight and safeguards to ensure public institutions do not become platforms for hate.”

When asked whether the Brooklyn school had officially reported Monday’s incident, a DOE spokeswoman confirmed to The New York Post: “We are investigating this matter and will address it as appropriate with disciplinary action, community engagement, and educational intervention.” She added that the department has identified the senders of previous anti-Israel emails but declined to comment further, citing “personnel matters.”

The growing infiltration of antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric into DOE spaces comes amid an international surge in such incidents following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. Experts interviewed by The New York Post suggest that anti-Israel sentiment, often disguised as humanitarian concern, is increasingly being used as a vector for antisemitism in educational contexts.

While officials scramble to contain the fallout, many Jewish faculty members are left feeling vulnerable and unsupported. “This isn’t about politics,” said the Brooklyn teacher who received Monday’s email. “This is hate, plain and simple. And the silence from leadership only emboldens it.”

As The New York Post report indicated, it remains unclear what further steps the DOE will take to prevent future occurrences. For now, educators and community members are left with growing concerns and a demand for transparency, accountability, and a safe learning environment for all students — regardless of background.