"In a Nov. 18 email to a parent, Rusch said Steigmann's presentation wasn't right for the school "given his messages around Israel and Palestine." In video obtained by CBS News New York from a virtual PTA meeting on Dec. 9, Rusch said she would arrange for students to visit museums that teach about the Holocaust and defended her decision about Steigmann. "When I reviewed the speaker's website ... I found the slides to be political in nature," she said. "DOE's policy is that students should learn in a politically neutral environment.""
"Back on Dec. 4, Steigmann told CBS News New York he had never spoken with Rusch. "What I tell people that invite me, I said, look, I would like to say A, B, C, OK? Is it against your company's or your school's policy?" he said at the time."
"A 2021 DOE policy states, in part, "School buildings are not public forums for purposes of community or political expression." A DOE spokesperson told CBS News New York, in part, "Our top priority is ensuring their students feel safe and get the high-quality education they deserve ...We are not able to comment on the outcomes of investigations of every reported incident. We have handled them and continue to handle them as they arise." Rusch did not respond to CBS News New York's multiple requests for an interview."
A Brooklyn Heights middle school principal declined to invite Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann to speak, citing concerns that his slides and messages about Israel and Palestine were political. The principal said students would visit museums about the Holocaust instead and cited DOE policy about maintaining political neutrality in schools. The Department of Education later reversed the decision and invited Steigmann to speak, which he accepted. Some parents are calling for the principal's removal and allege a pattern of antisemitism. A DOE spokesperson said student safety and high-quality education are priorities and that incidents are being handled.
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