Hasidic Yeshivas in NYC Fail to Provide Core Education, Investigation Finds

New York City’s Hasidic community, known for its political influence, has been found to run eighteen private Jewish schools that deprive students of essential secular education, including English, math, science, and social studies. The findings were revealed after an extensive eight-year investigation conducted by New York City school officials.

The investigation, which faced delays allegedly due to political factors, concluded that many of these religious schools, called yeshivas, did not deliver instruction in core subjects that met the state-mandated standards of “substantially equivalent instruction” required in public schools.

In a letter addressed to one of the schools, NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks expressed concern that students were not receiving sufficient instruction in key subjects necessary for their future success.

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Out of more than two dozen yeshivas that receive substantial public funding, the review determined that only seven were in compliance with state regulations.

The investigation was prompted by a complaint from a former student who alleged inadequate schooling to navigate the outside world. Young Advocates for a Fair Education, a group advocating for equal education, called for an investigation by the city’s Department of Education. The inquiry began in 2015, but its progress was hindered by the political influence exerted by Hasidic leaders, who opposed any intrusion into their community, primarily located in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

Although the Hasidic Jewish population in New York City represents only a fraction of the overall Jewish community, approximately 200,000 members, their collective voting power has granted them considerable influence within the city’s power structure.

Beatrice Weber, the executive director of the Young Advocates for a Fair Education, expressed hope that the completion of the investigation would prompt action from the city and Mayor Eric Adams to address the rights of thousands of deprived students.

However, Weber raised concerns that some schools deemed compliant were not adequately reviewed, suggesting that students in those schools would still be deprived of a basic education.

Richard Bamberger, spokesperson for Parents for Educational and Religious Liberty in Schools, highlighted that parents choose yeshivas for their moral and religious approach to education, regardless of government-imposed checklists. He emphasized that yeshiva graduates’ lives speak for the quality of education they receive.

City school officials stated that the majority of schools were cooperative during the investigation, with only a small number displaying resistance.

Nathaniel Styer, NYC schools spokesperson, affirmed that the Department of Education is ready to support any school found to be lacking in substantial equivalence, helping them in their path to compliance.

Schools failing to provide the required instruction are required to create a remediation plan and have up to two years to implement it.

Styer clarified, “Our goal is to educate children, not punish adults.”

Due to the Sabbath observance on Saturdays for many Jews, representatives from various groups were unavailable for comment.

These findings emerge as efforts are underway to strengthen oversight of the state’s 1,800 private and religious schools. This follows an investigation published by The New York Times last fall, which exposed how students in Hasidic schools were denied basic education in crucial subjects.

However, new state rules were reduced earlier this year by a judge in response to a lawsuit filed by ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools. The judge ruled that parents cannot be compelled to withdraw their children from private schools that fail to meet state-designated standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hasidic yeshivas

More about Hasidic yeshivas

• New York Daily News
• The New York Times