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Jewish educators and activists slammed the United Federation of Teachers leadership for failing to fight antisemitism in the New York City public school system — and for stabbing them in the back by endorsing Israel-bashing, boycott supporter Zohran Mamdani for mayor.
One angry educator even urged teachers to stop paying union dues in protest — as others demanded the union retract its support for the socialist Democratic Party nominee.
Moshe Spern, the head of United Jewish Teachers faction in the union, blasted the union’s responses to antisemitic incidents at locations such as Hillcrest HS — where a Jewish teacher was forced to hide in a locked office during an anti-Israel riot last year– as inadequate.
“Where was the UFT? … It took them almost two weeks to issue a statement, and that statement didn’t even mention antisemitism or the Jewish community,” Spern said Thursday during an “End Jew Hatred” rally attended by 40 educators and Jewish civil rights activists in front of the union’s downtown headquarters.
“How can we feel safe? When our teachers get attacked, our union says little and does nothing. When our protected rights are infringed upon, our union says little and does nothing. When they need us, they pretend we matter, and when they don’t, they ignore our concerns.”
Spern, a high school teacher, went on to say he was personally disappointed with UFT president Michael Mulgrew.
His group of Jewish teachers backed Mulgrew during his tough re-election fight earlier this year.
Their reward that added insult to injury? The Mulgrew-led union endorsed Mamdani — who supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against the Jewish state — for mayor following Mamdani’s Democratic primary victory over Andrew Cuomo and other rivals.
“His explanation was that the candidate was the best for the union, but not for its Jewish union members who voted for Mulgrew,” Spern said.
“I’m a history teacher, and this country was founded on the principle of ‘no taxation without representation.’ Guess what? I say the same thing today, on August 28, 2025: let’s make it very clear: No union representation, no union dues!,” he said.
There are 150 teachers who are sending their letters to the union to cancel their dues, Spern said. He vowed to personally deliver the letters to the union.
Other protesters said enough is enough.
The UFT has “failed the Jewish community,” said Michelle Ahdoot, director of programming and strategy with the Jewish civil rights group End Jew Hatred NY, which helped organize the event.
“It seems that the UFT will support you — unless you are a Jew,” Ahdot claimed.
“The UFT chose to endorse the candidate for mayor who has refused to denounce anti Semitic rhetoric. This choice is just the latest example of the pattern of neglect and indifference to the equality and inclusion of the Jewish community.”
The Jewish activists demanded that the UFT adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, ban hate materials, provide mandatory training on bias against Jews, and retract endorsements of candidates who normalize slogans such as “globalize the intifada.
“We are asking that they retract their endorsement of Zohran Mamdani,” said attendee Lizzie Savetsky.
She complained the socialist Democratic nominee has not condemned the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many believe is a rally cry to terrorize and kill Jews.
“The UFT has a long history of working with, listening to, and protecting the diverse Jewish community in our schools and our city, and we will continue to do so,” a UFT spokesperson said.
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