In November, a Queens teacher named Karen Marder found herself at the center of a nearly two-hour riot at Hillside High School in Jamaica after attending a pro-Israel rally. The riot, involving hundreds of students, was sparked by a photo Marder posted on Facebook holding a sign saying, “I stand with Israel.” Despite the terrifying ordeal, Marder chose to return to the classroom, determined to teach students about basic humanity and combat misinformation and intolerance.
Following the riot, Marder met with students, answered their questions, and shared her feelings. She recounted the hurtful and threatening things that students had said during the riot and on social media, allowing them to connect with her humanity and their own. Many students hugged her and apologized for their behavior. Marder acknowledged that healing from the trauma of being threatened for expressing her views on the Israel-Palestine conflict would be a long process, but she was committed to demonstrating forgiveness and actively listening to her students.
During the riot, students demanded that Marder be fired and engaged in destructive behavior such as tearing out a water fountain and shattering tiles. Three student organizers of the riot were suspended as a result. Marder emphasized the importance of earning back the trust of her students by listening to their concerns, addressing their fears, and demonstrating that she would not give up on them. Despite the inappropriate behavior of some students, Marder was determined to keep showing up for her students and being present for them.
The riot at Hillside was part of a series of antisemitic incidents at New York City schools, fueled by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Students had been recorded yelling antisemitic slogans, waving Palestinian flags, and making hateful comments towards Jewish teachers. Marder received a shockingly violent and hateful email calling for the eradication of Jewish people. Marder stressed the need to address the hate brewing in the city’s school system and work towards embracing security, freedom, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Marder and Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, highlighted the importance of addressing hate crimes against both Jews and Muslims. They emphasized the need to combat misinformation and intolerance, promote free expression, and uphold basic humanity. Marder’s experience and response serve as an example of how to navigate difficult conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and work towards understanding and reconciliation. The teachers and students must come together to address the issues of hate and discrimination within the school system and foster a culture of understanding and respect.
