Overview
- MS 447 principal Arin Rusch declined a parent’s request to host Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann, citing his publicly visible messages on Israel and Palestine.
- The Department of Education and City Hall first defended the decision, saying guest speakers must maintain political neutrality and calling Steigmann not the right fit.
- Late Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams posted on X that Steigmann is “absolutely the right person” to speak, calling the earlier statement from his office premature.
- Steigmann and supporters say he avoids current Middle East politics in school talks, while reporters noted his public materials include Israeli-flag slides, a “Zionism” slide, and a StandWithUs video.
- Following the outcry, the DOE said Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos has reached out to Steigmann to discuss upcoming plans for student engagement.