Interview: Head of Jewish Teachers Group Demands Action After Teacher Linked to Shul Riot

The head of a Jewish educators’ group has filed a complaint with the Department of Education (DOE), demanding an investigation into a public high school teacher seen participating in a violent protest outside Park East Synagogue last week.

In the letter shared exclusively with Belaaz, Moshe Spern, head of United Jewish Teachers, reported the protesting teacher, identified by a watchdog group as as Mia Kurzer, and called for immediate disciplinary action.

Spern sent the email earlier this week to Superintendent Noah Angeles and Dyanad Sugrim, the principal of The Heritage School in East Harlem, wher Kurzer works.

He’s yet to hear back from either of them.

“As a Jewish community advocate it brings me no pleasure in reporting actions of other staff members,” Spern wrote in the email. He alleged that Kurzer “attended and participated in last week’s antisemitic protest,” noting that she was “exposed by a watchdog by name” after the event made national headlines.

The protest in question took place on November 19 outside the Park East Synagogue, where demonstrators disrupted a seminar on immigration to Israel hosted by Nefesh B’Nefesh, chanted “death to the IDF,” and slogans calling for the murder of “settlers,” as well as for “Intifada.” The riot drew widespread condemnation from Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul after videos surfaced of protesters chanting threats against Jewish worshippers.

In his letter, Spern expressed deep concern regarding the impact Kurzer’s alleged participation could have on the school climate.

“Imagine being a Jewish colleague or student of hers. Imagine being a parent and finding this out,” Spern wrote to the DOE. “This is really upsetting and disturbing. I also wonder if she has brought any of her views into the school as well. You have a whole school community that deserves safety and not fear.”

Speaking in an interview with Belaaz, Spern elaborated on these fears, arguing that a double standard exists regarding hate speech.

“If a teacher, an educator, attended any other rally that was discriminatory to any other group… there would be some type of action towards that educator,” Spern said. “How can you ever trust that person to educate children or to be a colleague? This isn’t like a political event. This was condemned by everyone across the aisle.”

While acknowledging in his letter that the incident occurred “off work time,” Spern insisted that educators “are held responsible for our choices outside of the workplace.”

He is requesting that Kurzer “be spoken with immediately and be given a formal warning,” and indicated in the email that he intends to file a complaint with the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) as well.

“Obviously, we don’t want to destroy this person’s career,” Spern added in his interview, “but at the same time… there needs to be action to ensure the safety of everyone in that building.”

The controversy comes as New York prepares for the administration of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Spern, like many in the Jewish community, expressed concern that the incoming administration’s initial reluctance to condemn the protest – Mamdani first criticized the synagogue for hosting the event before issuing a general condemnation under pressure – will embolden antisemitic rhetoric.

“People like this are empowered to do more of this,” Spern said. “They feel that the new incoming administration will not do anything to prevent or have any action against this.”

Regarding Mamdani’s revised statement, Spern was dismissive. “Just saying words to make people feel [better]… without action means absolutely nothing,” he said, warning that under the new mayor, the city could see “words and no action.”

Spern concluded the interview with a call for legislative change, urging the city to establish buffer zones around religious institutions. “Make it a rule. Make it a law… 100 yards,” he said. “No one should ever feel unsafe walking into a synagogue, a church, or any house of worship.”