A social worker employed by the New York City Department of Education is under fire after allegedly posting controversial images on social media. The images, posted beneath a video of Orthodox Jews celebrating Lag B’Omer, have been criticised as antisemitic.
Critics have stated the images are reminiscent of “Nazi propaganda”.
Social Worker’s Role in Anti-Bullying Program
Lauren Camiolo, a social worker at Landmark High School in Chelsea, is accused of uploading images of beetles four times in response to a Facebook video. The video showed Orthodox Jewish men celebrating Lag B’Omer. Camiolo ironically serves as the Respect for All liaison at the school, according to a DOE website.
The Respect for All program aims to fight bullying. It also helps schools create safe learning environments free from discrimination, harassment, and intimidation.
Reactions to the Alleged Antisemitic Imagery
Karen Feldman, President of the New York City Public Schools Alliance, criticised the social worker’s post comparing Jews to insects. Feldman stated that the imagery came straight out of Nazi Germany.
“That’s a very dangerous and antisemitic trope coming from Nazi Germany, where Hitler would categorize Jews as subhuman and insects. He said to restore Germany’s greatness, they had to exterminate the insects,” Feldman said.
Moshe Spern, President of United Jewish Teachers, also condemned the alleged actions. “Hitler often called Jewish people insects and pests… This is a direct act of antisemitism. Too many educators use their political beliefs to hurt Jewish students and fellow educators,” said Spern.
David Bernstein, founder of the North American Values Institute, raised concerns about the school system. “When the person responsible for ‘Respect for All’ expresses hostility toward Jews or white students, it raises serious concerns about both the educator and the school system in which she works,” Bernstein said.
Social Media Posts Under Scrutiny
The DOE employee’s social media is reportedly filled with anti-Israel comments and anti-white racism.
- On Facebook, Camiolo allegedly posted “Genocide bloodshed of women & children on holy land by colonizers in the name of God that they will never know” over an image of what appears to be the Ten Commandments. This was posted on March 18, 2025.
- On July 30, 2025, she allegedly posted “Chosen people do not steal & harvest they create”.
- On Oct. 20, 2025, she allegedly wrote, “Zionism is cult a group of people incapable of thinking for themselves”.
Camiolo is also accused of posting, “Victim syndrome of white colonizers is an art how do you rationalize the blood of children.
The DOE website states that bullying and harassment have no place in any of NYC’s 1,800+ schools. This applies “regardless of anyone’s perceived race, color, age, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight,” the website states.
Camiolo earns $115,665, according to public records. She has worked at the DOE since at least 2020, according to records.