Stephen Gaynor School’s silence after firing Zionist educator
Source: kevindeutsch.substack.com
TL;DR
- Stephen Gaynor School stays silent on accusations of antizionist discrimination after firing sex educator Dr. Logan Levkoff.
- Levkoff taught there 21 years; parents targeted her off-campus Zionist views, leading to her ouster over a repost of trans critic Brianna Wu.
- Silence from the tax-exempt school raises questions about its transparency claims amid public backlash.[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)[[2]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/an-antizionist-witch-hunt-in-manhattan)
The story at a glance
Kevin Deutsch's article calls out Stephen Gaynor School, a Manhattan K-8 for kids with language-based learning differences, for not responding to claims it fired Dr. Logan Levkoff due to parent pressure over her Zionism. This follows Deutsch's earlier piece and Levkoff's own account in The Free Press of her 21-year tenure ending abruptly. The story is reported now because the school ignored direct requests for comment after bad press drew thousands of reader concerns.[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)[[2]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/an-antizionist-witch-hunt-in-manhattan)
Key points
- School has chosen silence despite accusations of antizionist bigotry, trying to "ride out the bad press."[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)
- Levkoff, a veteran sex educator, was fired after parents campaigned against her personal Zionist advocacy, not classroom conduct.[[2]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/an-antizionist-witch-hunt-in-manhattan)[[3]](https://www.thefp.com/p/i-was-fired-from-my-sex-ed-job-for)
- Official reason given: her repost of Brianna Wu, a trans woman critiquing gender theory, violated school "values of inclusion."[[4]](https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/she-retweeted-a-trans-woman-they-fired-her-for-being-jewish)
- Deutsch offered the school a chance to address Levkoff's Free Press piece or broader issues but got no reply.[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)
- School bills itself as transparent, progressive, pro-DEI, yet ignores concerns from thousands of readers.[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)
- Per 2025 IRS Form 990, school has over $40 million annual revenue, $108 million net assets, tuition $86,220/year.[[5]](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWxCI_DDr-w)
Details and context
Stephen Gaynor School serves about 390 students ages 3-14 with dyslexia or similar issues, using small classes and individualized methods; it's tax-exempt and independent, founded in 1962.[[6]](https://www.stephengaynor.org/)[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Gaynor_School)
Levkoff's campaign reportedly started post-October 7 with parents scrutinizing her social media Zionism, escalating to her March 2026 firing—decision made before a meeting with head of school.[[4]](https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/she-retweeted-a-trans-woman-they-fired-her-for-being-jewish)
No public response from school found across searches; this fits the article's point that silence amplifies the accusations from a progressive institution.[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)
Key quotes
"In the face of accusations of antizionist discrimination at Stephen Gaynor School in Manhattan, the institution has chosen to stay silent and try and ride out the bad press." – Kevin Deutsch[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)
"Failing to acknowledge concerns over bigotry raised by thousands of readers is hardly what New Yorkers expect from a tax-exempt school that bills itself as transparent, progressive-minded, and pro-DEI." – Kevin Deutsch[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)
Why it matters
The school's refusal to engage spotlights tensions in progressive education spaces between DEI ideals and handling Zionism-related complaints.
Parents and educators face risks if personal views off-campus trigger firings, while tax-exempt status invites scrutiny over accountability.
Watch for any school statement or Levkoff legal action, though none reported yet.[[1]](https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/stephen-gaynor-schools-silence-speaks)