Jewish rights group requests DOJ probe into NYC public schools

The National Jewish Advocacy Center has filed a request with the Department of Justice calling for an investigation into the New York City Department of Education. The group cites reports of rampant antisemitism within the public school system, alleging that such an environment has led parents to withdraw their children from public institutions.

According to the complaint addressed to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, enrollment in Jewish schools and yeshivas has increased as the public school student population has declined. The advocacy group stated that parents of Jewish children and Jewish employees are prepared to be interviewed as part of the requested probe.

This request follows existing federal investigations into the city's education department. One probe, launched by the Department of Education, concerns a group of educators accused of organizing lessons focused on ‘Palestine, Zionism, and Resistance.’ A separate ‘shared ancestry’ investigation into the Department of Education was initiated in November 2023.