NYC Education Department Officials Follow Students Footsteps

By COLlive reporter

The Jewish Children’s Museum hosted visitors from New York City’s Department of Education including First Deputy Chancellor Cheryl Watson-Harris and Executive Superintendent, Karen Watts.

Joining them was Sandra D’Avilar, Executive Director of Brooklyn North Borough Office, Kebrina Carter, Executive Director of Business Services, and Leslie Pankowski, Director of Communications, all from DOE.

This visit followed the successful “Love Not Hate” march of 100 high school students from Brooklyn South High Schools and their day at the Museum.

The members of the DOE toured the museum exhibits with Devorah Halberstam, co-founder and Director of External Affairs, with a comprehensive overview of Jewish history through the lens of the persecution of the Jewish people over thousands of years.

They viewed the World of Good exhibits that are the principles and foundations of Jewish faith and life in describing the universal concepts of charity, helping one another, and speaking well of each other.

They learned about the holidays that Jews celebrate throughout the year and participated in the hands-on learning experience.

They then convened in the conference room, where over rugelach and drinks they discussed with Halberstam their hope of a partnership between DOE and the Jewish Children’s Museum.

Halberstam said, “this is the outreach that our Museum is doing every single day.”

“It is especially important in the climate of anti-Semitism that we are experiencing now. This is a significant endeavor on behalf of the Department of Education, bringing students from the Public School System to learn about who the Jewish people are, their history, customs and dress, all in an enjoyable hands-on experience,” Halberstam said.