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By: Chet Myers
A disturbing saga unfolded at Origins High School in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, where a wave of antisemitism has turned classrooms into battlegrounds and teachers into targets. Initially reported by the New York Post, this alarming trend has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting urgent calls for action.
The tension peaked on October 26th, when a group of 40 to 50 teenagers stormed through the halls, brandishing a Palestinian flag and chanting venomous slogans like “Death to Israel!” and “Kill the Jews!” The incident marked a new low even for Origins, a school already plagued by bias and bullying.
Teachers like Danielle Kaminsky, who teaches global history, live in constant fear. Kaminsky, who is Jewish, has faced chilling encounters with students, including one who painted a Hitler mustache on his face and saluted in a Nazi gesture. Swastikas, symbols of hate, have defaced classroom walls, and Jewish teachers have been subjected to vile verbal abuse, with one student wishing Kaminsky had perished in the Holocaust.
Despite these horrifying incidents, the response from school authorities, under interim acting principal Dara Kammerman, has been grossly inadequate. Instead of taking decisive action, Kammerman has opted for a lenient approach, attempting to apply “restorative justice” by merely contacting parents. This lack of consequences has emboldened the perpetrators, creating a toxic environment of impunity.
Efforts to address the issue have been met with bureaucratic inertia. While the city’s Department of Education has promised an investigation, doubts linger over its effectiveness. Meanwhile, the anguish experienced by Jewish students is palpable, with many opting to leave Origins in search of safer havens.
Yet, antisemitism isn’t the only form of bigotry festering within Origins’ walls. Reports also highlight instances of racism against black students and LGBTQ+ individuals, painting a grim picture of a school in turmoil.
The origins of this crisis trace back several years, with incidents of hate escalating despite sporadic attempts at intervention. Even visits to the Museum of Jewish Heritage aimed at educating students about antisemitism and the Holocaust were marred by disrespectful behavior, indicative of deeper societal issues.
The demographics of Origins reflect a diverse student body, with significant Muslim representation alongside students from various ethnic backgrounds. However, this diversity has failed to translate into tolerance, exacerbating tensions within the school community.
As allegations of misconduct continue to mount, teachers like Kaminsky find themselves abandoned by the system, with pleas for help falling on deaf ears. Despite her efforts to foster dialogue and critical thinking in the classroom, she remains a target of relentless harassment, a testament to the systemic failure at Origins High School.
In response to the outcry, concerned citizens have rallied behind the victims, demanding accountability from school officials and city authorities. Yet, with no end in sight to the cycle of hate, Origins remains a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the perils of indifference in the face of bigotry.
As the community grapples with the fallout from this harrowing ordeal, one thing remains clear: the fight against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination is far from over. It’s a battle that demands unwavering solidarity and decisive action, lest the darkness of hatred engulf us all.
Despite the gravity of the situation, hope still flickers in the hearts of those who refuse to surrender to fear and prejudice. Teachers like Kaminsky, supported by allies within and beyond the school walls, continue to champion the cause of tolerance and understanding.
