Brooklyn School Blocks Holocaust Survivor Speaker Over Pro-Israel Views

A Brooklyn middle school principal has denied a request from a parent to invite a Nazi labor camp survivor to speak on antisemitism, citing concerns about the speaker’s pro-Israel opinions as inappropriate for a public school setting. The decision drew criticism from local officials who defended it.

Principal Arin Rusch at MS 447 in Boerum Hill reportedly denied the request from a parent on November 18, stating that Sami Steigmann’s views “weren’t right” for the school environment. In response to concerns raised by Newsmax regarding this denial, Ms. Rusch cited material from Mr. Steigmann’s website and online lectures as evidence of his strong pro-Israel stance.

Mr. Steigmann, who is 85 years old, has openly supported Israel in various recorded presentations. His views often express pride in Jewish identity and emphasize the right of Israel to defend itself against groups like Hamas—an affiliate of Iran-backed terrorist organizations. He has also been associated with StandWithUs, an international organization dedicated to inspiring support for Israel.

Ms. Rusch’s decision was defended by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. “Mayor Adams is dedicated to ensuring all New Yorkers, particularly our students and young adults, hear stories from the genocide and oppression of the Holocaust so we never again perpetrate such evil,” a City Hall spokesperson stated in defense of Mr. Steigmann’s exclusion.

However, Brooklyn Council Member Inna Vernikov voiced strong opposition to the principal’s actions. She contended that denying Mr. Steigmann—an individual who directly experienced Nazi atrocities—a platform goes against educational values and risks violating First Amendment rights or perpetuating discrimination based on ethnic background or religion. “It’s particularly abhorrent to deny someone who lived through the horrors of the Holocaust the opportunity to share his experience with students—especially when antisemitism is rising among youth,” Ms. Vernikov said.

The principal and the New York City Department of Education did not provide further comment following Newsmax’s inquiry.