Jewish Education Activist Threatened, Clarkstown Cops Investigate

NEW CITY, NY — Clarkstown police are investigating a death threat against a Jewish education activist who's been fighting about the education given to children in Hasidic schools. Rockland resident Naftuli Moster reported the threat, which came as a voicemail.

Moster is the founder of Young Advocates for Fair Education. Yaffed has been pushing NYC and state education officials to more thoroughly oversee religious private schools. Yaffed argues that students in ultra-Orthodox yeshivas aren't taught the basics required by state law, including English and math.

"Just imagine what that means," Moster said in a phone interview with Patch in 2017. Not only for the kids themselves, he said — who graduate as cripples, in terms of career options and life skills — but for everyone living next door. "If they don't learn any history or any geography or anything about other races and religions, that's too many kids not knowing anything about their neighbors," he said.

Moster grew up Orthodox Jewish and still identifies as such, but he's gotten the cold shoulder from community leaders for his fierce criticism of the education system he says failed him and so many others.

Now, he reports a death threat:

"Hi Naftuli Moster, I want to let you know that I am going to murder you, G-d willing; very soon you will be dead and your blood will spill. It'll be a pleasure seeing you dead. You stupid, dumb, idiot..."

Power of Ten, a parent group in East Ramapo, sent a message to its members about the threat. The district in Rockland County has 9,000 students in its schools. However, another 24,000+ school-age children live there, and go to private schools—mostly yeshivas.

Power of Ten supports all activists working to ensure every child's human right to an education. Yaffed advocates for education in yeshivas in NY, including here in East Ramapo.

Those who oppose education for children are often fanatical and sometimes violent.

Please respond to this cowardly attack by visiting the Yaffed website, liking them on Facebook, signing their petition, and donating to their not-for-profit organization.

SEE:

• Years-Long NYC Probe Into Orthodox Jewish Schools Still Has No End In Sight
  
• Yeshivas Drop Fight Against Rockland Fire Inspections

Images/ Yaffed

Patch Editor Simone Wilson contributed to this report.