New York, NY – CB 10 Rejects Hebrew School in Harlem

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    New York, NY – A presentation to put a Hebrew language charter school in Harlem was met with fierce resistance from local officials and residents, who want the school to move elsewhere.

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    Harlem Hebrew, modeled after Brooklyn’s Hebrew Language Academy Charter School, would serve the upper West Side and a portion of Harlem.

    It would be open to all students in Community School District 3.

    However, Community Board 10 members fired back at the idea following a presentation by school officials Wednesday night.

    “It’s an abomination. It’s an insult,” said Board 10 member Isis Ausar.

    “To be perfectly honest, I don’t think it should be in Central Harlem. I think they should find another location.”

    Ausar suggested maybe a largely Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn.

    “I could not go over there and propose a school and say it’s an African language school…,” Ausar said. “I have no problems with another language, but they want modern Hebrew and that’s not going to help our children in any way.”

    Dan Gerstein, a spokesman for the Midwood school, said naysayers are not giving it a chance.

    “[The school is] focused on breaking down barriers and understanding across cultures,” he said.

    Read more in NY Daily News


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    13 Comments
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    13 years ago

    Who said these people have an opinion. The law doesn’t discriminate. If it’s legal then greenlights. Free country. . .what?
    They forget who marched arm in arm in the 60’s. They forget how beautiful Harlem once was. Disgrace.

    FinVeeNemtMenSeichel
    FinVeeNemtMenSeichel
    13 years ago

    African Americans cannot be racists, by definition. So Ausur and other of his (her?) ilk are not spewing racism and ignorance. Maybe you are the racist.

    ALLAN
    ALLAN
    13 years ago

    So much for equal rights for all. I’m sorry to say it but when the shoe is on the other foot it hurts. The NY Daily News ran a story several weeks ago about how the black residents of Harlem resent their new white neighbors. But when blacks moved into mostly white areas and there were problems that was the top news for weeks. #1 is correct is was the Jews who stood with the blacks during the civil rights movement…memories are short and so is gratitude.

    13 years ago

    Would it be so bad what when they’re playing their sports they should say a “oy vey” instead of swearing?

    The-Macher
    The-Macher
    13 years ago

    Actually, they are right in that modern Hebrew is not an important world language. Even in E”Y hi-tech business is conducted in English.

    On the other hand, I am sure they would be very happy to force an Ebonics/Nation of Islam charter school on Midwood if they could.

    kollelfaker
    kollelfaker
    13 years ago

    the area is central with easy transportation from the heights upper west and east side as well as the bronx. their attitude is interesting this is the city not black nyc or italian or jewish if the location is right then build it i dont seem to see the same opposition to the touro schools that are there

    13 years ago

    The “Hebrew Charter School” in Midwood is a joke.
    Come pass by during dismissal times and you will see it is about 80% black!
    Almost no Jews go there- and there is nothing Jewish about the school.
    Just shut it down. Certainly no need for another one.

    basmelech
    basmelech
    13 years ago

    Modern Hebrew is a made up language and there is no reason to promote it, it is not really Jewish”. Loshon Hakodesh on the other hand is a heilige language and shouldn’t be used for everyday speech, thats why Jews always spoke their own language whether it was Aramaic. ladino or Yiddish. I don’t see any reason to teach modern Hebrew to blacks in Harlem or anyone any where.

    The_Truth
    Noble Member
    The_Truth
    13 years ago

    Does anyone know the reason for making a “Jewish” / Hebrew school in Harlem? I still dont understand from this article the reason why. If the locals dont want it, then whats the point of it?! Who is trying to promote it and why?