Karen Feldman

"Kosher Karen." That's what Karen Marcus Feldman's non-Jewish friends called her in public school. While her brothers attended Jewish day schools, Karen's parents sent her to public school, where she stood out for her commitment to keeping kosher. Rather than hiding this difference, Karen embraced it, forming deep friendships with classmates who were mostly Italian. These friends didn't just tolerate her dietary restrictions—they celebrated her dedication to her culture, creating a nickname that acknowledged both her difference and her place in their community.

This early experience of being true to her identity while building bridges with those different from her would become a defining pattern in Karen's life. The balance she struck between honoring her Jewish heritage and engaging with diverse perspectives would eventually lead her to become a passionate educator and a powerful voice against antisemitism.

Early Life

Karen Marcus Feldman grew up in Staten Island in a home where Jewish traditions and community engagement were foundational values. Her father served as president of their shule and was instrumental in building their synagogue, demonstrating through action the importance of community leadership. Her mother, a teacher, instilled in Karen a deep appreciation for education that would guide her professional path.

Weekly attendance at shul, especially Friday night Shabbat services, became a cornerstone of Karen's childhood, giving her a strong sense of identity and belonging. Like many teenagers, she occasionally preferred spending time with friends over religious obligations, but as she matured, Karen came to recognize the profound value of these traditions and the community they created.

"Going to shul every week, especially on Friday nights for Shabbat, gave her a strong sense of who she was and where she belonged," Karen reflects. This grounding in Jewish tradition provided a framework for understanding herself and her place in the world—a framework she would later draw upon in her educational and advocacy work.

Karen's grandparents played significant roles in shaping her worldview. From her paternal grandparents, Grandma Eva and Grandpa Barney, she received warmth, wisdom, and the comfort of her grandmother's cooking. Her maternal grandparents, survivors of the Holocaust, provided profound lessons in resilience and courage. Their firsthand accounts of survival through one of history's darkest chapters left an indelible impression on Karen, ultimately inspiring her career in Holocaust education.

Threads of Wisdom

The wisdom Karen gained from her family and experiences centers around three key principles: embracing one's identity, building bridges across differences, and taking action against hatred.

From an early age, Karen learned to be authentically herself while respecting others' backgrounds. Her experience as "Kosher Karen" taught her that differences need not be divisive—they can become points of connection when approached with mutual respect and curiosity. These childhood friendships showed her that cultural pride and inclusivity could coexist, a lesson that would inform her approach to education and advocacy throughout her life.

The stories of survival and resilience from her Holocaust survivor grandparents became another crucial thread of wisdom in Karen's life. Their experiences taught her about strength in the face of unimaginable hardship and the importance of bearing witness to history's darkest moments. This wisdom ultimately led Karen to become a Holocaust educator, determined to ensure that younger generations would understand the consequences of unchecked hatred.

"Teaching about the Holocaust became more than just a job for Karen—it became her passion," she explains. Karen recognized that effective Holocaust education required more than historical facts; it needed to inspire empathy and critical thinking about students' own responsibilities in confronting prejudice. This approach earned her the Louis E. Yavner Teaching Award in 2023, recognizing her exceptional contribution to Holocaust education.

As Karen noticed troubling trends in how students understood antisemitism and the Holocaust, she expanded her efforts beyond the classroom. Her work with Bear Givers and the creation of the "Kindness" program demonstrated her belief that action against hatred must be paired with the cultivation of compassion. These initiatives reflect Karen's conviction that combating prejudice requires both education about past atrocities and active engagement in creating a more just present.

Reflections

Karen's commitment to fighting antisemitism took on new urgency following the October 7th attacks, when she co-founded the NYCPS Alliance in response to rising antisemitism in New York City public schools. The organization, which now includes over 2,300 members—educators, parents, students, and allies—works to document antisemitic incidents, advocate for reform, and encourage a unified response to hate.

"The Alliance has become an essential platform for those who want to take action and make their voices heard in the fight against antisemitism," Karen observes. This grassroots initiative demonstrates how personal experiences and values can translate into meaningful collective action.

Karen's recent report, "Entryism Exposed," represents another significant contribution to combating antisemitism in educational settings. After analyzing over 8,000 pieces of evidence, including lesson plans and incident reports, the report revealed biased educational materials and inadequate responses to antisemitic incidents in NYC public schools. This comprehensive investigation has served as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in how schools address these issues.

Looking toward the future, Karen remains focused on creating safer, more inclusive environments for all students. Her children, witnessing their mother's dedication to this cause, have been inspired to continue the fight for change. This intergenerational commitment to combating hatred reflects the enduring impact of Karen's early experiences and the values instilled by her family.

From the Staten Island girl who proudly owned her "Kosher Karen" nickname to the award-winning educator and activist, Karen Marcus Feldman's journey illustrates how childhood experiences can shape a lifetime of purpose. Her story reminds us that standing against hate requires both a strong sense of one's own identity and a genuine openness to others—a balance she first learned as a Jewish girl in public school making friends across cultural divides.

Karen's life work embodies a simple yet powerful truth: the lessons of history must not be forgotten, and each generation bears responsibility for building a world where differences are respected and hatred has no place. Through her teaching, advocacy, and personal example, she continues to show that meaningful change begins with individual choices to stand up for what's right.