A math teacher at Park Slope Collegiate is facing calls for an investigation after reportedly sharing a social media image of soccer star Lionel Messi that critics have described as antisemitic.
According to a report published by Hoodline on Oct. 18, Maysa Jarara shared the image on Facebook in July under the name Maysa. The caricature depicted Messi wearing a Jewish skullcap, with exaggerated facial features and gestures resembling the Happy Merchant meme, which has been associated with antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish greed and manipulation.
The Anti-Defamation League added the Happy Merchant image to its Hate Symbols Database in September 2019, identifying it as a digital image used to promote antisemitic stereotypes. The reported post has drawn criticism from Jewish education advocates, including United Jewish Teachers President Moshe Spern, according to the New York Post.
The controversy carries significance for Brooklyn’s diverse school communities, where questions about discrimination, religious identity and political expression remain sensitive. The case also highlights the challenges public schools face in addressing employees’ off-duty social media activity while respecting their rights to personal expression.
Media reports have also raised concerns about other posts attributed to Jarara, including content critical of Israel. Such material requires contextual assessment, as criticism of Israeli government policies does not, by itself, constitute antisemitism. The alleged caricature, however, has drawn scrutiny because of its resemblance to imagery historically used to portray Jewish people through demeaning stereotypes.
As of Oct. 18, no disciplinary outcome for Jarara had been announced in the report. Any further action will depend on the findings of a potential investigation and the application of relevant Department of Education policies. The school system’s response may influence future discussions about professional responsibilities and social media conduct among public school employees.
