Leading SEL Resource Depicts Jewish Child as Bully, Raising Concerns Amid NYC Election

UPDATE: Shortly after posting our article, Mylemark removed the video from their site and YouTube (which is why the video above no longer works). We have a copy of it downloaded for our records and look forward to an apology and an investigation as to how their materials are developed.

A troubling case of antisemitism  has surfaced in a Mylemarks social-emotional learning (SEL) video used in schools across the country. The video, titled “Angry,” features a visibly Jewish child portrayed as the bully. Educators reviewing the series note that this is the only visibly Jewish character across Mylemarks’ catalog, and his depiction as the aggressor sends a damaging and exclusionary message.

For a program built to teach empathy, respect, and inclusion, this portrayal cuts against its core purpose. When the sole Jewish character in a curriculum on kindness is cast as a bully, it not only reinforces antisemitic tropes that Jews are the oppressors in the oppressor/oppressed model, but also risks alienating Jewish students in classrooms meant to model tolerance. One educator we spoke to noted that propaganda associating Jews as aggressors is being fed to the youngest audiences in the most subtle ways.

Educators have urged Mylemarks to review the content, remove or revise the scene, and issue a public apology. As of the publishing of this article, Mylemarks has not responded.

The concern also raises a broader question: who shapes the lessons and values our children absorb in school? That question is especially urgent in light of the New York City mayoral race, where frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has named former U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman — who has a record of inflammatory rhetoric toward Israel — as his first choice for Schools Chancellor. When children’s educational content like this is shaping the next generation’s understanding of empathy and identity, leadership matters.

It is telling that the United Federation of Teachers, which has promoted Mylemarks’ resources, has also endorsed Mamdani. As ironic as it is, the UFT has an anti-discrimination policy — which can be found here.

We hope and pray that New York’s schools teach kindness that includes the Jewish child, too.

Letter to Mylemarks

Dear Mylemarks Team,

I am writing to express concern about one of your SEL videos in the “Videos in a Flash” series. It is titled “Angry” and features a Jewish child — wearing tzitzit and a yarmulke — portrayed as the bully. As an educator and viewer, I find this troubling. This appears to be the only visibly Jewish character across your series, and his depiction as the aggressor sends a deeply harmful and exclusionary message.

In educational materials designed to teach empathy, kindness, and respect, representation matters greatly. When the sole identifiable Jewish character is framed negatively, it reinforces antisemitic stereotypes and alienates Jewish students. The impact of such imagery can be damaging in classroom settings where inclusion and cultural sensitivity are central goals.

I urge you to review this video and consider revising or removing the scene. I also strongly encourage Mylemarks to issue a public apology to the Jewish community for the pain and prejudice this material has caused. Taking responsibility in this way would show true commitment to your mission of fostering empathy and respect among students.

Thank you for taking this concern seriously. I hope you will engage thoughtfully and transparently with the Jewish community in addressing this issue.

Sincerely,
Devorah

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