Fair Lawn Schools Took 'Antisemitic' Actions, Parent Says; Mayor Responds

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A parent in Fair Lawn says the schools asked students to remove Israeli symbols during a high school club fair, an act she and others says reeks of antisemitism.

The town's mayor and district's superintendent disputed some of the claims.

"I’ve been fighting antisemitism in fair lawn school district for four years now," wrote mom Adi Vaxman on Facebook Monday. "I didn’t really come across it really before 2020. In the past year it is increasingly alarming and bold. I’ve tried every possible avenue from BOE meetings to meeting directly with the superintendent. They speak like politicians and do absolutely nothing."

According to a story in Monday's New York Post, an administrator said the Jewish Student Union should remove their Israeli flag and yellow ribbons in support of the Israelis taken hostage by Hamas a year ago, saying they were too "political." According to the story, the Muslim Student Association was allowed to display a keffiyeh, representing Palestinian liberation.

Vaxman wrote, "This incident happened on Wednesday — erev Rosh Hashanah — where Dr. Baptiste-Bosco aggressively demanded that the Jewish student union students who banned their table at the club fair remove the Israeli flag and the hostages ribbon sign from their table ... Our kids should not be subjected to discrimination, silencing and ridicule in a public school where we pay taxes in a town with a nearly 40 percent Jewish population."

Liora Rez, the founder of StopAntisemitism, was quoted in the Post story as saying, “What happened at Fair Lawn High School is an alarming case of hypocrisy and blatant antisemitism."

One parent said on Facebook that he hadn't noticed antisemitism at his daughter's elementary school, but he was "ashamed" to read that it might be going on at the high school.

RELATED: Gottheimer Criticizes Facebook Over Allowing Palestinian Slogan

Officials Dispute Some Elements

On Monday, Fair Lawn's mayor, Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, disputed part of the account, and said her town will stand up to antisemitism.

She says the atmosphere in the country has become more "toxic" toward Jews since the Hamas terror attacks a year ago.

"Antisemitism and all forms of hate are actively and consistently opposed in Fair Lawn," she wrote. "For years, the Mayor and Council have spoken from the dais and through every other outlet available against Antisemitism...But as toxic Antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments and incidents have risen to an all time high, we need to continue to loudly voice our support for the community and ensure the physical and emotional safety of our residents."

She said students have been allowed to wear yellow ribbons to school.

"Between yesterday and today a story has been inaccurately and widely circulated accusing Fair Lawn High School of banning the wearing of yellow ribbons as a symbol of support for the return of the hostages brutally taken from Israel one year ago," she said. "As the Superintendent’s statement ... says, the yellow ribbon has not been banned, and students wore it today to school without incident and without censure." The rest of her response is here.

The school district sent a message Monday to the school community.

"Both the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Jewish Student Union (JSU) were asked to make adjustments to items that had not been part of their original displays," wrote Superintendent Rui Dionisio. \

"The decision to ask both groups to modify their displays was made in response to the disruptive impact that certain items were having on the learning environment. The school did not take any position with regard to certain symbols or items that were added to those clubs’ displays but simply asked both clubs to restore their displays to their original content."

The full text is below.

School District's Response To Claims Of Antisemitism

Dear Fair Lawn Community,

We write to provide important clarification in light of recent media coverage regarding the October 2nd Club Fair at Fair Lawn High School. Unfortunately, the article in question is inaccurate - it does not include all of the facts or share the actual context of the situation. To ensure transparency and provide a complete picture, the district is sharing this update with our community.

Fair Lawn High School’s Club Fair is a cherished tradition, where over 60 student organizations come together to showcase their activities and engage peers in participation. The event is organized with the oversight of faculty advisors and school administration, and all clubs receive equal guidance. All clubs follow the same rules and procedures regarding participation. The Club Fair is an opportunity for students to advertise their clubs through displays and to seek new members. Clubs are permitted to exhibit their organizations through their displays and messaging.

During this year’s Club Fair, both the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Jewish Student Union (JSU) were asked to make adjustments to items that had not been part of their original displays. The decision to ask both groups to modify their displays was made in response to the disruptive impact that certain items were having on the learning environment. The school did not take any position with regard to certain symbols or items that were added to those clubs’ displays but simply asked both clubs to restore their displays to their original content. The school appropriately ensured that the Club Fair event provided an open opportunity for students to explore the various clubs on display.

We are very proud to note that both the MSA and JSU are actively involved in the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) "No Place for Hate" initiative. In fact, student ambassadors from both groups played a vital role in fostering dialogue during the Club Fair event. Our students’ leadership and efforts to mediate certain concerns helped maintain a respectful atmosphere. We commend those students for their positive contributions. However, due to the disruption of the event and heightened emotions surrounding the displays, both groups were reminded to follow the event guidelines to ensure the smooth operation of the Club Fair event. While our student ambassadors made commendable efforts to resolve the conflict through peer mediation, the administration ultimately determined that direct intervention was necessary. That said, it is also important to note that no students were disciplined in connection with these adjustments and that the wearing of yellow ribbons by students is permitted.

Fair Lawn High School is proud to uphold a zero-tolerance policy toward hate in any form. As part of our ongoing commitment to the ADL’s No Place for Hate initiative, our administrators, staff, and students are united in standing against antisemitism and all forms of hate. We remain focused on building an inclusive community where every individual feels valued and respected. Student leaders continue to step up, inspiring their peers to be upstanding citizens, both inside and outside of school. We look forward to continuing this important work.

Fair Lawn is a diverse community, and we ensure that our schools, including Fair Lawn High School, provide an inclusive environment, supporting all students. We collaborate closely with various stakeholders to address community concerns, including local religious leaders, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and other groups to address sensitive issues with thoughtfulness and inclusivity. Moving forward, we will continue discussions with key stakeholders, including student ambassadors and the Community Leadership Council, in our ongoing efforts to foster an environment where diverse perspectives are respected and shared.

As a district, we remain dedicated to promoting peace, open dialogue, and mutual respect. Thank you for your support as we work together to maintain a welcoming and respectful environment for all.