JCRC-NY Celebrates Pilot Launch of Groundbreaking Jewish American and Muslim American Education Initiatives

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

NYCPS is the first large school district in the nation to develop and incorporate Jewish and Muslim history and identity into curricular resources.

NEW YORK, NY — Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) CEO Mark Treyger was thrilled to join New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos to kick off a pilot program in over a dozen schools across the city of a Jewish American history and identity and Muslim American history and identity curricular resource, in addition to a new Student to Student program launching in a subset of those schools.

JCRC-NY joined the Chancellor for the announcement at Tweed Courthouse, where they celebrated the achievement alongside Jewish and Muslim scholars who were influential in developing the curricular resources and Jewish and Muslim student leaders.

Hidden Voices: Jewish Americans in U.S. History, Volume 1 will showcase prominent Jewish figures who helped shape the country and city. They range from early settlers in New York like Asser Levy, to jeans innovator Levi Strauss, and suffragist and abolitionist Ernestine Louise Rose who helped shape the early women’s rights movement.

You can view and download the Hidden Voices curricular resources here.

The pilot officially began on November 10 with a training session for participating educators. Each school has an assigned teacher who will adapt and teach lessons inspired by the Hidden Voices materials, weaving Jewish and Muslim American stories into classroom discussions. Throughout the pilot, these teachers will gather feedback from students, reflect on what works best, and collaborate in focus groups to strengthen how the curriculum promotes understanding and inclusion. The resource is woven into existing social studies and civics curricula and is available to all NYCPS classrooms for the 2025-26 school year.

JCRC-NY has also partnered with New York City Public Schools to bring the national Student to Student program to New York for the first time ever, where Jewish high school students visit classrooms to share their lived experiences and foster understanding between diverse groups of students. JCRC-NY hopes the program can become a model for multifaith engagement.

At its annual Somos reception in Puerto Rico on Thursday, JCRC-NY honored Chancellor Aviles-Ramos for her continued partnership, including her support of these initiatives. JCRC-NY is proud to serve as a citywide convener for these programs and other educational initiatives in partnership with the New York Education Coalition, which has been essential in amplifying Jewish identity and concerns in New York’s educational system.

“Education, especially at the K–12 level, is our most powerful tool against hate,” said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. “With antisemitism and Islamophobia on the rise across our city, we must give young people the knowledge and perspective to understand one another and build bridges across communities. These new Hidden Voices resources on Jewish and Muslim Americans bring a fuller, more inclusive story of our nation into classrooms, highlighting the deep connections and contributions of both communities to the United States and New York. Alongside our new Student to Student partnership, which fosters meaningful dialogue among students, these initiatives represent a major step toward combating bias through education. I thank Chancellor Aviles-Ramos and the NYCPS team, including all of the educators piloting these programs, as well as UJA-Federation of New York and all our partners in the New York Education Coalition for their leadership in making this vision a reality, creating both mirrors for students to see themselves and windows for all students to learn from one another.”

“These Hidden Voices pilot programs embody NYCPS’ dedication to inclusion,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Our students represent every possible background and identity, and our curricular materials and classroom conversations should reflect that rich legacy. Today’s announcement is about deepening the use of our Hidden Voices resources through implementation support as well as building bridges through our new multicultural student coalition, which will build on JCRC’s Student to Student model. At NYCPS, we are equipping schools with the knowledge and tools to foster cultural understanding and tell a more complete story of our city.”

“UJA-Federation of New York applauds JCRC-NY and New York City Public Schools for launching this groundbreaking pilot program. Incorporating Jewish identity into classroom resources is a powerful step toward fostering understanding and inclusion. Jewish Americans have made indelible contributions to our city and our country, and we’re proud to see those stories highlighted as part of NYCPS’ commitment to celebrating the rich diversity of New York,” said Daniel Rosenthal, Vice President, Government and External Relations, UJA-Federation of New York.

“It’s been a tremendous privilege and honor to work on the Jewish American Hidden Voices project. The task of teaching Jewish-American history as U.S. history — rather than as an isolated subfield — is so important, especially in our moment of heightened antisemitism. New York City is the city home to the greatest concentration of Jews outside of Israel; teaching about the history of Jews in this city and this country should be an important part of the public school curriculum, and now it can be,” said Natalia Mehlman Petrzela.

The Jewish Education Project is proud to have partnered with JCRC-NY and UJA-Federation in supporting the development of Hidden Voices: Jewish Americans in United States History and is thrilled with its launch in New York City Public Schools. Alongside this new curriculum, our collaboration with JCRC-NY to bring the Student to Student program to New York City will help ensure that Jewish identity and experience are represented through authentic voices of Jewish students themselves. Too often, Jewish stories are told solely through the lens of trauma or folded into a universal narrative. We are deeply grateful to Chancellor Aviles-Ramos and her team for their leadership in advancing a fuller, more nuanced understanding of the Jewish people and our contributions to this great city,” said David Bryfman, CEO, The Jewish Education Project.

JCRC-NY has been leading the charge in advocating for comprehensive Jewish identity curricula for K-12 schools. JCRC-NY hosted a panel with education experts at the Center for Jewish History, Combating Antisemitism on Campus through K-12 Jewish Identity Education, and JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger, who is a former educator himself, penned an op-ed for the NY Daily News on how Jewish identity education is the most powerful tool against antisemitism.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York is thrilled to welcome David L. Moore as our new President. David steps into this role with deep roots in Jewish communal life, a proven track record of leadership, and a passion for bringing people together across backgrounds, beliefs, and boroughs. His arrival comes at a pivotal time, not only for JCRC-NY, but for Jewish New Yorkers navigating a moment of heightened visibility, vulnerability, and opportunity. For David, this isn’t just a title. It’s a calling.

“It’s an honor to be stepping into this role at such a crucial time for our community,” he shared. “I’m especially looking forward to working with the wide range of community, political, and religious leaders who make this city so vibrant—while also proudly lifting up the role the Jewish community has always played in solving problems and making a difference for all New Yorkers.”

David brings with him decades of experience from his leadership at UJA-Federation, the Jewish Board, City Parks Foundation, and Central Synagogue. He’s also a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, and educator and, yes, even a stand-up comic. His career has spanned business, philanthropy, and storytelling, but the common thread has always been connection.

At JCRC-NY, he’s eager to build on that foundation. He’s especially passionate about programs that reflect both our historic mission and our forward-looking vision – initiatives like our Center for Shared Society, new K–12 education efforts, CSI’s continued expansion, and nonpartisan “get out the vote” partnerships ahead of this critical November election.

“With our 50th anniversary coming up in 2026,” David said, “I’m excited to raise JCRC’s public profile, grow our signature events like Israel Day on Fifth (Israel Day Parade) and our annual gala, and strengthen our outreach to elected officials so they truly understand the contributions and the concerns of the Jewish community.”

Asked how he approaches challenges as a leader, David’s answer is as thoughtful as it is grounded: “It all starts with listening and learning. Even after years in leadership, I’m still learning every day, through conversation, collaboration, and staying rooted in my Jewish values: tikun olam, fairness, opportunity, and treating others with dignity.” Whether in a boardroom, on a stage, or in a synagogue pew, David leads with humility, curiosity, and joy. He believes in doing the work with people not just for them, and in helping others rise alongside him.

As David begins this new chapter, we also want to briefly acknowledge the dedicated leadership that brought us to this moment. Both Dr. Cheryl Fishbein and Dr. Bennett Golub have guided JCRC-NY through pivotal years, Cheryl as a deeply engaged and visionary Chair, and Ben as a steady, strategic President now stepping into the Chair role. Their contributions have helped lay a strong foundation for what’s next. With David at the helm, we’re excited to keep building toward deeper relationships, greater impact, and a Jewish community that continues to lead with purpose, empathy, and strength. Welcome, and thank you. We’re so excited for what’s ahead.

At the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), we know that leadership is not just about titles or terms, it’s about showing up, lifting others, and making meaningful change in the lives of our communities. That’s exactly what Dr. Cheryl Fishbein has done over the past six years, as our President and then as Chair of the Board. And it’s what Dr. Bennett W. Golub, who now steps into the role of Chair, has already done so powerfully in his three years as President. Today, with deep gratitude and great excitement, we honor Cheryl’s extraordinary service and welcome Ben  into this next chapter of leadership.

Cheryl’s impact on JCRC-NY can’t be captured in a single moment but she remembers many that left an imprint on her heart. From navigating the complexities of interfaith relations to reshaping our beloved Israel Day on Fifth Parade, she brought compassion, energy, and vision to every part of the work.

Reflecting on her time at the helm, Cheryl shared: “These six years have been a most wonderful, fabulous experience. I’ve loved working with our board, our staff, and our community. I learned so much about government, about coalition-building, and even about how to create a parade from scratch!” She also helped envision and build the Community Security Initiative (CSI) a program that’s grown into one of the most vital safety infrastructures protecting Jewish life across New York. “It’s bigger than all of us now,” she said. “And I feel deeply grateful to have played a small part in making it happen.”

For Cheryl, leadership was never just about boardrooms. She opened her Shabbat table to ministers, rabbis, city council members, and community partners, turning her home into a place of warmth, dialogue, and honest conversation.

“Over food, people get happy,” she laughed. “It was apolitical, off the record, just a chance to talk and be human. I learned so much through those nights. And those friendships, I’ll keep them going.” And then, there were the moments that moved the city. Cheryl recalled standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands on the Brooklyn Bridge, rallying against hate and racism. “It came together almost overnight. Jews, church leaders, elected officials all marching together. It was a moment that said: “we’re stronger together.”

Though her term as Chair has concluded, Cheryl remains woven into the fabric of JCRC-NY, and we know she’ll continue showing up with her signature warmth, wisdom, and fierce devotion to the Jewish people. As Cheryl passes the baton, we’re thrilled to welcome Ben into the role of Chair of the Board, a steady hand and a forward thinker who led JCRC-NY with clarity and courage through some of the most challenging years in recent memory.

When Ben  began his presidency in 2021, none of us could have predicted the road ahead: the pandemic’s long shadow, a surge in antisemitism, campus polarization, and most heartbreakingly the trauma of October 7. But Ben met those challenges head-on, grounded in his deep belief in Jewish resilience and community power.

“In those early days after October 7, we were in shock,” Ben recalled. “But JCRC organized a massive rally within days. That moment when thousands stood together in grief and defiance showed that the Jewish community is not powerless.” Under Ben’s leadership, JCRC-NY restructured its lay and professional leadership, bringing on powerhouse CEO Mark Treyger, and refocused its mission for this complex moment. He helped deepen JCRC’s ties to New York’s mosaic of diverse communities, proudly marched at the head of three Israel Day Parades, and helped secure the first-ever Jewish identity curriculum in NYC public schools.

“I’m proud that the JCRC’s role in New York is now clearer and stronger,” he said. “We’re coordinating closely with other Jewish organizations and showing up for our students, our institutions, our partners, and for Israel.” As he steps into the Chair role, Ben  is clear-eyed about what’s next: “There’s still so much to be done. Our work may grow even more challenging given the political changes ahead but I look forward to continuing to build with our incredible team. And I’m especially excited to work closely with David Moore, our new President. David brings so much heart and talent to this role, I know he’ll take JCRC-NY even higher.”

Both Cheryl and Ben  have given so much of themselves to this organization, not just their time and expertise, but their hearts, their homes, and their hopes for a stronger, safer, more united Jewish community. We thank Cheryl for her years of extraordinary service, and we wish Ben  strength and success as he begins this new chapter. With leaders like these, the JCRC-NY and Jewish life in New York will be well prepared for the great challenges ahead.

November 6, 2024 – JCRC-NY congratulates former President Donald J. Trump on his election returning him to the presidency and Senator J.D. Vance on his election to the vice presidency. As with every presidential transition, this marks an important juncture for our nation to recommit to our shared values. Though our nation is divided at this moment, our work building bridges between communities remains ever more essential. JCRC-NY remains committed to working with all partners – across political, religious, and ethnic lines – to build a more secure and harmonious future for all Americans.

The challenges facing our nation and our community require unity, mutual understanding, and shared purpose. The American people must be respectful of our differences as we move toward healing our society in this post-election climate. We look forward to constructively engaging with all our elected officials on issues critical to our community, including strengthening security for religious institutions, advancing quality of life, and maintaining America’s unwavering support for Israel’s security.

10/31/24 – The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York strongly condemns the hateful and derogatory statements made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during a recent political rally in New York City. Among these, the remarks aimed at the Puerto Rican community were particularly appalling. For many years, the Jewish community in New York has fostered a deep connection with the Puerto Rican community, working together to build a more inclusive and equitable society. To refer to Puerto Rico—a homeland for countless New Yorkers and American citizens—as “garbage” is not only disrespectful but also dehumanizing to those we consider our valued partners.

As we approach Election Day, JCRC-NY once again urges all public officials and candidates to refrain from inserting hateful and divisive rhetoric into our political discourse and communal conversations, including labeling political opponents Nazis.  In this climate of toxic polarity, our next President – together  with all Americans – must work to unite diverse communities and promote a culture of respect, understanding, and inclusion.