‘Antisemitic’ Error In East Brunswick District Yearbook Being Investigated

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Mayor Brad Cohen is seeking answers into a “blatant antisemitic act” where Jewish students’ photos were replaced by Muslim students in the East Brunswick School district’s yearbook.

In a media release, Cohen said the 2024 edition of the high school yearbook has a picture of Muslim students replacing the original photo of Jewish students who are part of the Jewish Students Union Club. Additionally, the names of Jewish students are also missing, Cohen said.

“I have been assured by Dr. Victor Valeski, Superintendent of the East Brunswick Public School System, that a complete investigation is underway,” Cohen said.

According to the Mayor, the school district must determine how the incident happened, who is responsible, who signed off on this page of the yearbook, whether the error occurred on the publisher's end, and how the perpetrators will be held accountable.

“Hate has no place in Bast Brunswick and Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated,” Cohen said.

In a statement to the community on Wednesday morning, Valeski said he was “devasted and frustrated” and apologized for the “hurt, pain and anguish” it has caused the students and their families.

The superintendent also asked the community not to rush to judgment before the investigation is complete.

“We do not tolerate bias and we investigate all reported antisemitism. My investigation is ongoing. I will employ outside resources to assist with the investigation. We do not have all the facts but I will report to the community once I do,” Valesi said.

“I urge the East Brunswick community, the one I have a decade-long relationship with, to give me the opportunity to determine the cause and I simply ask individuals and organizations to slow their rush to judgment.”

Since the incident came to light, here are the steps the school district has taken:

• Contacted the Board’s attorney.
• Contacted the ACLU for Field Officer support.
• Notified the Executive County Superintendent.
• Made the Superintendent’s Office the point of contact for the investigation.
• Have not distributed yearbooks to any students other than Seniors.
• Have contacted the yearbook publisher.

Valeski said the school district will coordinate with the publisher to reprint and professionally replace pages of the yearbook and offer counseling to any student requesting it.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com