BROOKLYN, NY – Representatives from Urban Dove Charter School, East Midwood Jewish Center, Flatbush Jewish communal leadership, and elected officials from city and state levels want to steer the conversation away from stereotypes and misconceptions. 

“With a signed lease in place, we understand that the Urban Dove Charter School has the legal right to transition into the East Midwood Jewish Center. In good faith, we met to discuss the concerns that were expressed – both in support and opposition – which included the preservation of the longstanding Jewish Day School and synagogue, racial prejudice, and the addition of charter schools, in a neighborhood scarce for educational space.”

“Children are our utmost priority. Our biggest concern is to preserve their rights to a quality education in a safe environment that is conducive to learning.”

“The disparaging comments by some regarding the schools’ student body do not reflect what we collectively believe and undermine who we are as a community that has a brilliantly diverse population. They are baseless and detrimental to the mental, emotional, and social well-being of these students who look forward to continuing heir academic progress in a new space that they can truly call their own. It is a disservice to belittle the very individuals we ought to engage, inspire, and empower to achieve.”

In Unity,

Council Member Farah N. Louis

Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte

Council Member Kalman Yeger

Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.

Council Member Justin Brannan

Community Leader Josh Mehlman

Jai Nanda, Urban Dove Charter School

Rabbi Sam Levine, East Midwood Jewish Center

Michael Schwartz, East Midwood Jewish Center

Wayne Rosenfeld, East Midwood Jewish Center

Michael Sucher, East Midwood Jewish Center

Flatbush Jewish Communal Leadership