Bedford Schools Dealing With Several Anti-Semitic Incidents
BEDFORD (CBS) – Several reported instances of anti-Semitism in Bedford schools have officials reaching out to parents, students and community leaders.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent of Schools Jon Sills detailed incidents involving anti-Semitic graffiti at the high school and elementary school students playing a game called "jail the Jews."
The letter detailed other reported incidents, one of which involved a student telling another student "they were going to destroy her country because she was Jewish."
"In another instance that came to light, another Jewish child was told by a peer that she could not have a cracker because Jews didn't believe in Jesus Christ," the letter added.
Sills says the school has responded by informing parents in an effort to raise awareness. He has also arranged to bring in school, clergy and community leaders to figure out how best to deal with the situation.
"I believe that the broader the response, the less likely the perpetrators of hate speech will feel that their behavior is permissible, and that Bedford's proud claim of being a community that refuses to tolerate hate will be imbued with renewed meaning," Sills said in the email.
A community meeting is scheduled for March 20 at 7 p.m. at the middle school.
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