Massive Interfaith Coalition Tells Mamdani: Sign School Buffer Zone Law to Protect Students

April 21, 2026 
Mayor Zohran Mamdani City Hall New York, NY 10007 
RE: Int 0175-2026 B  

Dear Mayor Mamdani,  

We write to you as leaders from across New York City with a clear and urgent concern: our students, families, and staff must be able to access our schools safely and without disruption.  

Intro 0175-2026 is a necessary step to address real and growing challenges around school safety. In recent months, too many school communities have faced interference, intimidation, and disruption. This is not sustainable, and it demands action. 

Schools are not just buildings, they are spaces where children should feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. When access to those spaces is compromised, the impact is immediate and serious. It affects attendance, learning, and the overall mental health and well-being of our students and educators. 

The City Council has acted. Now the decision is yours. 

We urge you to sign Intro 0175-2026 into law. Failing to do so would send the wrong message at a time when school communities need clarity and support. 

New York City’s students and families are counting on strong leadership to ensure that schools remain safe and accessible for all. 

Sincerely, 

Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of New York
Jurisdiction over 80 schools in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island 

Alex Budnitskiy
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst 

Rich Baum
President and Chief Executive Officer Educational Alliance 

Moshit Rivkin
Executive Director
Hebrew Educational Society 

Orit Lender
Chief Executive Officer Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island 

Leonard Petlakh
Executive Director Kings Bay YM-YWHA 

Ilana Mann
Head of School Kinneret Day School 

Amanda Pogany
Head of School
Luria Academy of Brooklyn 

Dr. Pesha Kletenik
Head of School Manhattan Day School 

Rabbi Joanna Samuels
Chief Executive Officer
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan 

Rita Santelia, LMSW
Chief Executive Officer Mosholu Montefiore Community Center  

Joan McMaster
Deputy Superintendent Office of Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens
Jurisdiction over 64 schools in Brooklyn and Queens 

Dr. Noam Wasserman
Head of School The Ramaz School 

Danny Karpf
Head of School Rodeph Sholom School 

Dr. Rachel Harari
Head of School
The SAM School 

Rabbi Binyamin Krauss
Principal
SAR Academy

Michael Rosen
Chief Executive Officer
Sephardic Community Center

Sue Fox
Executive Director
Shorefront YM-YWHA of Brighton-Manhattan Beach

Rabbi Joseph Beyda
Head of School
Yeshivah of Flatbush
Joel Braverman High School

Martin Englisher
Chief Executive Officer
YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood

Seth Pinsky
Chief Executive Officer
The 92nd Street Y, New York (92Y)