On October 7th, the city’s Department of Education unveiled new initiatives aimed at curbing the rise of antisemitism and discrimination against Muslims in schools. Among these initiatives is the launch of a dedicated hate hotline, complementing the existing online complaint portal, to provide more immediate support to students and staff.
The hotline, reachable at (718) 935-2889, became operational on the anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is staffed by department employees and operates Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Callers have the option to remain anonymous but are encouraged to provide their student or employee ID numbers to facilitate prompt assistance. The longstanding online complaint portal will continue to function alongside the new hotline, focusing on incidents of hate, harassment, and discrimination within educational settings.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, tensions have heightened among students supporting Israel and those advocating for Palestine, resulting in a spike in hate incidents. Reports indicate that during the first semester of the previous academic year, there were 440 cases of hate, harassment, or discrimination tied to race or nationality—marking a 30% increase from the same period the year prior. Incidents related to religion reached nearly 290, with an alarming 78% increase noted. Furthermore, a recent survey revealed that approximately 40% of middle and high school students have witnessed harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status, a steep rise from the pre-pandemic level of 30%.
Incoming Education Commissioner Melissa Aviles-Ramos emphasized the department’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding hate incidents in schools. She stated, “The new hate hotline will ensure that reported incidents of hate, harassment, and discrimination are addressed effectively.”
In addition to the hotline, the Department has launched the “Meeting the Moment” initiative, coinciding with the anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which includes additional measures to combat discrimination. This fall, staff will receive new anti-discrimination training focusing specifically on antisemitism and discrimination against Muslims. A new curriculum, titled “Hidden Voices,” designed to highlight marginalized historical figures, is set to be implemented before the end of the academic year. It will include lessons about American Muslims and Jews, and the city is also encouraging schools to organize museum visits to enhance students’ understanding of diverse cultures and histories.
