NYC Schools Implement Lessons on Jewish and Muslim American History

New curriculum aims to foster understanding and reduce prejudice amid rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:04am

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A bold, stylized grid of iconic religious symbols - a prayer rug, a yarmulke, and a crescent moon - rendered in a high-contrast silkscreen print technique, conceptually representing the shared experiences and intertwined histories of Jewish and Muslim Americans.A vibrant pop art mosaic celebrating the diversity and resilience of Jewish and Muslim Americans, whose histories are now being woven into school curriculums to counter rising intolerance.NYC Today

In response to a surge in hateful harassment, vandalism, and rhetoric towards Jewish and Muslim Americans, New York City's public school system is rolling out new lessons on the history and contributions of these communities. The initiative, which includes teaching about figures like the 'Fatimas' - a mother and daughter held by George Washington at Mount Vernon - seeks to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of the American story and serve as a way to counter intolerance.

Why it matters

Antisemitic incidents and Islamophobia have been on the rise across the U.S., with over half of all reported hate crimes in New York City in 2025 targeting Jewish people. The new curriculum in NYC schools is an attempt to address this troubling trend by educating students about the rich history and diversity of Jewish and Muslim Americans, with the goal of fostering greater understanding and reducing prejudice.

The details

The new lessons are being implemented across New York City's public school system, the nation's largest. In one example, a teacher at the Urban Assembly School for Leadership and Empowerment had her seventh-grade class learn about enslaved Muslims like 'the Fatimas' who were held by George Washington at Mount Vernon, and how their faith shaped their resistance to enslavement. The broader initiative emerged as districts grappled with high-profile episodes of antisemitism, with some families concerned that too many students were learning about history from social media rather than their classrooms.

  • In 2025, over half of all reported hate crimes in New York City were against Jewish people.
  • The new curriculum is being rolled out across New York City public schools in 2026.

The players

Manjot Khehra

A teacher at the Urban Assembly School for Leadership and Empowerment who is implementing the new lessons on Jewish and Muslim American history.

Ona Judge

An enslaved woman who escaped George Washington's Philadelphia mansion in 1796 and evaded his efforts to recapture her.

The Fatimas

A mother and daughter who were held by George Washington at Mount Vernon and represent the widespread capture of Muslims from West Africa during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who is the country's most prominent Muslim elected official.

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What they’re saying

“'How did Islam allow them to resist?'”

— Manjot Khehra, Teacher

“'They were praying.'”

— Student

“'But they had to keep it a secret.'”

— Student

What’s next

The new curriculum on Jewish and Muslim American history is being rolled out across all New York City public schools in the 2026-2027 academic year, with plans to expand the program to other districts if it proves successful.

The takeaway

By providing students with a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse contributions and experiences of Jewish and Muslim Americans throughout history, the new curriculum in New York City schools aims to foster greater empathy, reduce prejudice, and counter the troubling rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia seen across the United States.