Swastika Etched On Desk In Glen Rock Classroom: Officials

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A swastika was, yet again, found defacing school property in Glen Rock — an incident of antisemitic bias, the likes of which has occurred on an annual basis in the borough for the past few years, according to government and school officials.

But the voices of those who support, respect and revere inclusivity in Glen Rock, Mayor Kristine Morieko said, will "outweigh these cowardly acts."

Morieko joined with police chief Dean Ackermann and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in forcefully rejecting antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech, and calling for more anti-bias education addressing intolerance toward Jews.

"Its time we reevaluate the principles taught in school to make sure that we are going above and beyond," Morieko said. "Clearly, as this continues to occur, something needs to be fixed."

The swastika was reported Wednesday by two students who saw the symbol penned into the top of a desk at Glen Rock Middle School. Administrators removed the symbol and reported the incident to police, and are making an effort to identify the offender, officials said.

"This symbol of hate cannot and will not be tolerated in North Jersey, especially with in our schools which should be teaching that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths," Gottheimer said. He also urged appropriate measures be employed, including a "strong focus" on teaching the Holocaust.

Chief Ackermann said he shares Gottheimer's sentiments that this "cannot and will not be tolerated," and that the act is not what Glen Rock is about.

"We are a welcoming community which embraces diversity," Ackermann said.

The room where the desk is located is shared by 6th to 8th graders, and a timeframe of the incident has not yet been confirmed, as of Friday morning, Ackermann said. He added that every bias incident is reviewed and thoroughly investigated by law enforcement at many levels.

"I ask that all members of our community, in Glen Rock and beyond, take this time to take a stance against antisemitism and all forms of hate," Ackermann said.

He, along with the mayor and congressman, is attending the annual menorah lighting this weekend in Glen Rock in a show of support for the local Jewish community. The mayor also assured she would do everything she can to organize resources for borough schools to put into place to break this troubling cycle.

"Because of these disgusting acts, we now bear the scars," Morieko said. "I stand, shoulder to shoulder, with the Jewish community in Glen Rock and beyond."