The Ethical Fieldston School in the Bronx has been accused of being a hotbed of antisemitism, according to a Jewish student who graduated from the school. The student reported being tormented by classmates and even witnessing a teacher give rabbis the middle finger at an assembly. This revelation led to an Instagram post by Dr. Logan Levkoff, condemning the school for allowing such behavior to occur.
The controversy at Ethical Fieldston School arose following accusations of antisemitic incidents in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel. Jewish parents and alums demanded that the school protect their children from such behavior. In response, students at the school defended a classmate accused of vandalizing the school with anti-Israel graffiti and criticized Jewish parents, claiming they were suppressing ideas not in line with “Zionist ideology.”
Levkoff shared a response to the student letter with her Instagram followers, highlighting the ongoing issues of antisemitism at the school. She expressed concern over the treatment of Jewish students at Fieldston, noting that they have been forced into silence for fear of being called racist. Levkoff called for an end to such behavior, stating that it is time for the Jewish community to speak up against the mistreatment they have endured.
The students who wrote the letter defending their classmate also claimed that a 16-year-old girl of color was being unfairly blamed for the anti-Israel graffiti. They argued that the student was not aware that her actions would break any rules and should not be criticized for engaging in protest. However, the link to the letter has since been taken down, raising suspicions about who was truly behind its creation.
The controversy at Ethical Fieldston School has highlighted a larger issue of racial and religious incidents within the institution over the past decade. Some parents and insiders have blamed the school’s failure to provide a fair and balanced curriculum for the recent battles. Fieldston’s DEI programs, including affinity groups, have also come under scrutiny for further dividing students based on race and identity rather than bringing them together as intended.
Despite being founded as a safe haven for the Jewish community, Fieldston has faced accusations of antisemitism and a failure to live up to its original ideals. The school’s handling of recent incidents has sparked outrage among parents and alumni who believed in its mission. The controversy has exposed deep-rooted issues within the school community that need to be addressed in order to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all students.
