Swastika incidents in Massachusetts school district trigger ‘response guide’ to fight hate, antisemitism

Antisemitism has surfaced in “one of Massachusetts’ most expensive towns to live in” – causing Weston Public Schools to begin creating a response guide for its middle- and high-school students, reports the Boston Globe.

From Oct. 16 to Nov. 4, swastika incidents were reported across the district involving: an eighth grader’s class presentation; a dry-erase marker drawing in a classroom; and a high school bathroom stall. 

The shocking incidents prompted administrators to condemn them as “unacceptable.” 

“These … stand in direct opposition to the core values of our district,” Superintendent Karen Zaleski wrote in a Nov. 4 email. “We recognize the harm these incidents cause — not only to our Jewish students, families, and staff — but to our entire school community.” 

Zaleski also noted the district was partnering with city police and the Anti-Defamation League to craft its response guide, which “will be introduced to the school curriculum in the spring after a vetting process,” according to the Globe. 

“Weston Public Schools has zero tolerance for hate and discrimination of any kind. Antisemitism and hate have no place in our schools or in our community,” she wrote. 

“In the meantime, together, we must ensure our schools remain safe, welcoming environments where all students can learn and thrive without fear of discrimination or hate.” 

The district enrolled 2,063 students in the 2024-25 academic year from preschool through grade 12. 

‘Recent pattern of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activity’ 

As previously reported by The Lion, the state teachers’ union made headlines earlier this year after promoting antisemitic materials as recommended resources to explain the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

The materials included imagery of Hamas fighters calling for intifada, as well as U.S. dollar bills folded to resemble a Star of David. 

“We are cautiously hopeful that the (Massachusetts Teachers Association) will … step back from its recent pattern of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activity that risks polarizing and politicizing classrooms, and harming students across Massachusetts,” Rob Leikind, regional director of the American Jewish Committee New England, said at the time. 

School districts nationwide also have faced more scrutiny concerning antisemitic harassment, the Globe notes in a Nov. 9 article. 

“Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war have spilled into schools around the U.S., with advocates reporting a rise in antisemitic harassment since the 2023 surprise attack on Israel. … The Trump administration has not punished school systems the way it has hit colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism, but schools are still facing pressure to respond more aggressively.” 

Another Massachusetts town, Bedford, recently heard testimonies from Jewish residents at a public-school committee meeting describing multiple incidents of hatred and antisemitism. 

“Silence and inaction allows hate to fester, and our children deserve to feel safe, respected and seen,” said one parent, noting her children had seen swastikas, Nazi salutes and other threatening actions while attending middle school. 

A lack of consistent, firm action from educational officials, she argued, only affirms “hate can exist in our schools without consequence.”