Dear Dr. Spencer,

While we appreciate that a short statement is not going to cover the complexity of the Middle East conflict nor the many personal perspectives that exist, it is incumbent upon us to clearly call out evil and inhumanity when we see it. Your statement today was unnecessarily vague and shockingly out of touch with the reality of Jewish terror victims from across the world stemming from Hamas' barbaric massacre in Israel. 

What Hamas did in Southern Israel was a targeted and systematic slaughtering of civilians, families, children, and the elderly.  At last count, Hamas terrorists have murdered 1,200 people (a number that grows each day as more bodies are discovered in their homes). Terrorists killed parents at point-blank range in front of their children, beheaded babies and toddlers, raped women and gleefully desecrated their bodies, ripped children from the arms of their parents, and took civilian hostages of all ages, including babies and the elderly.  At least 22 Americans were murdered, and an unknown number have been abducted.  People from 23 countries have been killed or are missing. 

The events of October 7 were not some abstract “cycle of violence” being imposed on the “the Middle East.” No one is asking you to weigh in on the underlying conflict, which is surely a matter outside the scope of your responsibilities. Your well-intentioned but deeply misguided attempt at neutrality regarding this week's events, however, merely emboldens the evildoers. As Elie Wiesel taught, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.” In seeking to be inoffensive due to the diverse population in your district, you have inadvertently encouraged terror and those who support it, while alienating its victims and their loved ones.

Further, failing to acknowledge the threats that Jews continue to face from terrorism - even here in Teaneck - is a slap in the face to its Jewish population. If you are not aware, Hamas has called for a worldwide “Day of Jihad” this Friday, October 13. (https://www.memri.org/reports/hamas-declares-friday-october-13-general-mobilization-day-al-aqsa-flood-operation-urges-west?fbclid=PAAabpmY0vg4U43H_QCUvJ3QsgCP3ZOwylH1457h8yP13nXL7Mddh_67lHR58_aem_AW4F4qRYkq7ek5_7Nm0jKzA-GpW_8e4lK6_uK6zbz80aV0izXk7BBBzuCm_KquO56Ns) This directly impacts members of your district. 

It is an abdication of responsibility to deny these realities. This is not only hurtful and scary; it is downright dangerous. 

We call upon you to apologize for the initial statement that you wrote and to publish one that reflects the necessary moral clarity, as well as greater sensitivity to the grieving.  There is no need to choose a side in the conflict, but you should stand on the right side of history by unequivocally condemning murder, torture, rape, mutilation and the desecration of human life.

Sincerely,

The undersigned

PS: for contrast, we are including the letter from the NYC DOE

From: Chancellor David C. Banks <NYCChancellor@schools.nyc.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 5:31 PM
Subject: In Response to Terrorism in Israel and the War in Israel and Gaza 
Dear Colleagues,

I write with a heavy heart after this weekend’s terror attacks against Israeli civilians—including children. I unequivocally condemn these horrific acts of violence, and I want to offer my deepest condolences and steadfast support to those in our New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) community impacted by the killings and kidnappings.

As the leader of our nation’s largest school system, I want to be abundantly clear that hate of any kind has no home in our school community. As adults, it is our responsibility to teach our children tolerance and inclusion, and to fight hate, violence, and injustice in all its forms.

The brutality and trauma wrought by Hamas upon innocent people—especially our youngest members of society—is devastating. All children in the region, and the world, deserve to live in peace, with security and dignity.

We know this tragedy will be top-of-mind for many of our students, and to that end, we are providing resources to our schools to facilitate discussions about the conflict and to support our students in being compassionate global citizens. We are also reinforcing our Chancellor’s Regulations and policies (see below) related to political discourse and action, which ensure that every student, staff member, and community stakeholder feels safe and respected in our schools.

Please know that I am thinking of all the students, staff, and families in our city who have lost loved ones or are worried for their safety. I will continue to pray for peace in the region.

Sincerely,

Chancellor David C. Banks