Dear Greenwich Academy Leadership Team and Board of Trustees:

As Greenwich Academy parents, Brunswick parents, and concerned community members, we write not only to share our thoughts and concerns regarding GA teacher Aisha Gawad's antisemitic behavior and GA's initial response, but also, a proposal for how to move forward. It has been a difficult, painful time for our community, and as Margaret highlighted at the Annual Dinner, times of crisis are an opportunity for growth. Since this incident with Ms. Gawad occurred, we appreciate Margaret's second letter to the community and GA's recognition of October 7th. We are also hopeful that GA may currently be conducting a thorough investigation into this incident.

To offer some context to our concerns, The New York Times Columnist Bret Stephens recently wrote:

Jews were aware, before the pogrom of Oct. 7, 2023, that antisemitism was once again a problem in our collective life... After Oct. 7, it became personal. It was in the neighborhoods in which we lived... the high schools and universities our kids attended. The call was coming from inside the house. It happened in innumerable ways, large and small.

Antisemitism has now happened in GA's house and these actions undermine the school's commitment to building character and fostering inclusivity.

The Facts:

• It was reported that Ms. Gawad chose to withdraw from the "Girls, Coming of Age" panel at the Albany Book Festival because Elisa Albert is a Zionist and because she felt it was an "unsafe environment" as Ms. Albert (the moderator) mocked those who express grief over Palestinian lives.
• Ms. Gawad does not deny using the term "Zionist" or "Zionism" in her negative portrayal of Ms. Albert and her views.
• While we have not been able to find evidence of Elisa Albert's "mocking," we did find an article Ms. Albert wrote for Tablet Magazine, "An Open Letter to Hamas' Defenders," where she sympathetically states, "we weep for the plight of the Palestinian people" and closes by stating, "be safe, and pray for the safety of others."
• Ms. Gawad claimed that she has spent her career fighting antisemitism.
• A basic Google search shows that Ms. Gawad signed NYU's "Students for Justice in Palestine" ("SJP") divestiture petition ("BDS"), which promotes anti-Zionist, antisemitic views. This group is pro-Hamas, and Hamas is a US-designated terrorist organization responsible for the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel. Please note that according to The Wall Street Journal, SJP called October 7th "a historic win for Palestinian resistance."

Despite these facts, Greenwich Academy continues to support Ms. Gawad, even while acknowledging that she "mishandled her withdrawal from the panel and showed a lack of judgment using a narrative that was unacceptable and inflammatory. Ms. Gawad's actions reflect poorly on GA and erode the trust that our faculty work so hard to build with our students."

Discussion and Questions for Dialogue:

1. Antisemitism and Discrimination: We view Ms. Gawad's actions as antisemitic and discriminatory. Zionism represents the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. As Bret Stephens points out, asserting that one is anti-Zionist but not antisemitic is like saying one is a segregationist but not a racist. To dismiss Zionism as merely "inflammatory" language is to ignore its profound significance to the Jewish identity. By allowing this term to be used pejoratively, Greenwich Academy is not fully acknowledging the discriminatory nature of Ms. Gawad's actions, which further isolates Jewish families in the community.
2. Gaps in DEIB Education: This incident reveals significant shortcomings in GA's DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) program. Despite concerns raised in the past year, particularly after October 7, there is a lack of robust antisemitism education. We strongly recommend that all faculty, including those in DEIB roles, receive comprehensive training in this area. Additionally, the school should undertake a thorough review of the DEIB program, especially considering that Ms. Gawad, a former head of DEIB, once assigned "privilege points" to white Jewish students. We could elaborate on the issues of assigning privilege points to anyone but that is a separate, albeit related, issue.
3. Clarification of Ms. Gawad's Claims: We seek clarity on Ms. Gawad's claim that she has fought antisemitism throughout her career. Can she provide specific examples? Moreover, Ms. Gawad took a portion of a title from one of Ms. Albert's essays out of context. This act, which distorts the author's message, raises concerns about her honesty and academic integrity. By forwarding Ms. Gawad's misleading statement, Greenwich Academy becomes complicit in this misrepresentation.
4. Context of Rising Antisemitism: Ms. Gawad's boycott of a panel involving a Jewish author must be viewed against the backdrop of rising antisemitism in the U.S. and globally. According to the ADL, hate crimes against Jews were up 140% in 2023, surpassing all previous records and the highest number on record since the ADL began tracking data in 1979. And, per the FBI, the "Jewish community (is) the most targeted religious group". Also note that the Holocaust was legitimized in elite academia by normalizing antisemitism and alienating Jewish students and professors. Jewish authors, artists, businesses, and students are increasingly being boycotted or excluded. Seeing this type of behavior in our own community is deeply troubling. We urge Greenwich Academy to recognize this and react accordingly.
5. Understanding Ms. Gawad's Remorse: We are unclear on what exactly Ms. Gawad is remorseful for. Is she regretful because her actions were exposed, or because of the harm she caused? We would like to understand if she has gained any insight or offered an apology for the pain caused to both Jewish and non-Jewish families in the community. We have yet to hear any remorse from her nor have the students.
6. Inconsistency with GA Values: Ms. Gawad's decision to refuse to share a stage with a Jewish/Zionist author, especially when the panel's topic was unrelated to these differences, contradicts the values we hope to instill in our children. To quote GA Alum and The Wall Street Journal writer, Emma Osman, "while Ms. Gawad is entitled to her opinion... to withdraw suggests to impressionable young students that it is advisable to run away from differing perspectives... It is also contrary to Greenwich Academy's mission which celebrates the 'unique differences among our students, staff, and community' and aims at 'fostering an environment where various... experiences, identities and perspectives are represented.' How can Greenwich Academy promote civil dialogue and the free exchange of ideas if its faculty do not model these principles? How can any parent or student be comfortable in her class as students must now fear expressing an opposing opinion?"
7. Creating a Hostile Classroom Environment: Ms. Gawad's actions have created an intellectually hostile environment, particularly for students who support Israel's right to exist. This sense of fear does not belong in our classrooms. Convening a forum with only Ms. Gawad and students exacerbated an unhealthy power dynamic between the teacher and the taught, leaving our children with more questions and discomfort.
8. The Jewish Experience at GA: There are other areas where the Jewish experience at Greenwich Academy could be improved. We continue to believe there is a lack of curiosity, understanding, and education when it comes to antisemitism and we hope the school will take this past week as an opportunity to grow, learn, and repair as a community. Further, the Jewish affinity group was taken away without asking for any feedback. We are glad that you are planning to convene forums for Jewish parents and we look forward to getting the dates on the calendar.

As members of this community, we still have many unanswered questions. While we reaffirm our own commitment to GA's diversity statement, notably its goal of free and authentic interaction "with a rich variety of backgrounds and beliefs," we encourage GA to consider more deeply the experience of Jewish members of its community. And, we respectfully request a thorough response to our concerns and hope that this letter marks the beginning of an open dialogue, healing, and growth. Guided by the best of intentions and earnest effort, we will certainly get there and emerge stronger together.