Photo Credit: Getty Images
Rachel Griffin Accurso, widely known as Ms. Rachel, has declared her willingness to risk her career to advocate for children suffering in Gaza. The beloved children’s entertainer and educator, renowned for her “Songs for Littles” series, has faced significant backlash for her humanitarian efforts. Despite criticism from right-wing commentators and pressure from pro-Israel groups—including a call for a federal investigation—Accurso remains resolute in using her platform to raise awareness and support humanitarian causes.
In May 2024, Accurso launched a fundraiser through Cameo, offering personalized videos to raise money for Save the Children’s emergency fund, benefiting children in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Within hours, she raised $50,000 from 500 requests. However, her initiative sparked controversy, with critics accusing her of ignoring Israeli children and promoting anti-Israel narratives. The antisemitism watchdog group StopAntisemitism called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate her for allegedly spreading Hamas-aligned propaganda, a claim she denies.
Accurso responded to the backlash with an emotional video, stating, “The bullying is so bad… saying I don’t care about every child is so bad, but I can handle this. I see every child as I see my own.” She emphasized her commitment to all children, regardless of nationality or religion, and reiterated that her efforts are rooted in compassion.
“ I wouldn’t be Ms. Rachel if I didn’t care about all kids,” she said. “ I’ll risk my career over and over to stand up for them.” She described an emotional moment where she sat with a Palestinian mom who was face timing her starving sons in Gaza. “ You see that pain, and you just want to do everything you can,” she continued.
In response to the criticism, Accurso released a song praying for “all the children,” including those in Gaza and Israel, as well as hostages and civilians affected by the conflict. Despite the personal and professional risks, she remains steadfast in her mission, stating, “I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t use that platform to speak out for every child, everywhere.”
