The city Department of Education has hired a group led by the controversial former principal of “Intifada High,” Debbie Almontaser, to conduct workshops for school staff on handling the Israel-Hamas conflict in the classroom. Almontaser’s consulting firm, Bridging Cultures Group, has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in city contracts and led professional development training sessions at multiple public schools. Teachers expressed outrage at the material presented during the workshops, which they felt was biased against Israel.
During one workshop titled “Facilitating Courageous Conversations,” Jewish teachers criticized the training material for not providing a balanced view of the ongoing conflict. Another workshop led by a lecturer with a Palestinian flag sticker on Facebook included data on Jewish and Palestinian deaths that seemed to favor the Palestinian side. Jewish teachers at one school protested the workshops, and the principal ultimately canceled additional sessions planned for the following day.
Almontaser’s history with the subject matter has raised concerns among Jewish teachers. In a 2007 interview, she condoned T-shirts with the slogan “Intifada NYC,” which sparked controversy and led to her resignation as the head of the Khalil Gibran International Academy. Despite this, Bridging Cultures has received significant taxpayer-funded contracts from the Department of Education and has been consulted for initiatives to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools.
Almontaser’s involvement in groups supporting anti-Israel demonstrations, such as the Muslim Community Network, has further fueled criticism. The MCN offered safety training for anti-Israel demonstrators and posted advice on social media on avoiding police searches. Almontaser has also expressed support for anti-Israel protests and called for a ceasefire in Gaza. Her close ties to Schools Chancellor David Banks have raised questions about potential biases in the education system.
The Department of Education defended its decision to work with Bridging Cultures and other partners to help staff navigate difficult conversations in the classroom about current events. The agency emphasized the importance of presenting a balanced representation of viewpoints to foster understanding and empathy among NYCPS community members. Bridging Cultures did not respond to requests for comment on the situation. Teachers and educators continue to express concerns about the handling of sensitive topics like the Israel-Hamas conflict in school settings.
