By Eric Wolf Schoen
The press headlines and stories say it all:
NY POST: NAACP finds ‘no evidence’ of antisemitic taunting at NY girls HS basketball game — but group’s probe didn’t question players, officials
FOX NEWS: NY NAACP chapter finds no evidence of antisemitic slurs during basketball game, but there’s a twist: Yonkers NAACP didn’t contact the players, coaches or administrators during its investigation
NEWS 4 NEW YORK: Head of the Leffell School told News 4 that the NAACP did not speak with any of its players, coaches or administrators and that their findings contradict their students’ accounts.
NEWS 12: This report was produced without any conversation with Leffell School players, coaches, or administrators.
WAKE UP WESTCHESTER: Official Statement from Michael A. Kaye, PhD, Head of The Leffell School:
“We are aware of a recent report casting doubt that antisemitic slurs were uttered during the January 4 girls’ varsity basketball game between Roosevelt High School and The Leffell School.
“This report was produced without any conversation with Leffell School players, coaches, or administrators.
“Its conclusions are contradictory not only to our students’ accounts of their experience, but also to the findings of the Yonkers Public Schools‘ internal investigation into the matter, which determined definitively that antisemitic words and phrases were used at multiple points in the context of this game.
“This was noted in the January 8 joint statement released by Interim Superintendent Rodriguez and Mayor Spano, which remains prominently posted on the school district web site, and has been reaffirmed in numerous conversations with district and city officials in recent days,” stated Dr. Kaye.
In case you have been living under a rock during the month of January, here’s the story. On January 4, there was a girls basketball game between Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies in Yonkers and the Leffell School, a private Jewish School in Hartsdale. Many of you know the Leffell School by its longtime name, Solomon Schechter School.
To quote the Yonkers Public Schools website, ‘antisemitic remarks were made against The Leffell School’s women’s team.’ According to Reports, they included a student saying, “I support Hamas, you f–king Jew,” and Yonkers kids yelling “Free Palestine” and other anti-Jewish statements throughout the game.
Yes friends, it’s 2024. It’s not easy being Jewish anymore.
Last weeks Yonkers Rising had a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. Visiting my synagogue, Temple Emanu-El in Yonkers with Rabbi Abraham J. Klausner and Temple member and artist Yetta Colin viewing a sculpted bust of Ghandi she created.
There has always been a strong relationship between blacks and Jews in this country. Rev. King had many Jewish people marching with him and supporting his good work.
I went to Yonkers High School graduating in 1978. The student body was half white and half black and Hispanic. A big fat white Jewish kid named Eric Wolf Schoen got elected overwhelmingly President of the Student Council. You may recognize that name. The relationship between blacks and Jews in the Yonkers Public Schools was strong back then, strong when my sister graduated Yonkers High School in 1972 and strong when my mom graduated Yonkers High School. I can only assume it was strong when grandma graduated Yonkers High School in 1918.
Let’s get back to the story here. I had to go off on a tangent because the words that were uttered at the game are disgusting.
The Yonkers Public Schools did an investigation and found that yes, the allegations of what occurred at the basketball game were true. The Head of the NAACP, Frank Coleman, did his own investigation. Coleman, a substitute teacher at Roosevelt, said there was “absolutely no evidence of any antisemitic slurs rendered,” according to the Journal News. He continued, ‘The accusations were both “untrue and unfair,” after reviewing footage of the game and speaking to parents, kids and coaches. It also said claims that Roosevelt’s players were excessively aggressive were incorrect.
Problem is Coleman DID NOT INTERVIEW Leffell School players, coaches, or administrators. He drew his conclusions based on conversations with only the Roosevelt community.
Yes friends, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE! How he could make the statements he made on behalf of the NAACP which has a rich history in the City of Yonkers boggles the mind. Even our high school students learn in their classes that when you do an investigation you have to interview all parties involved. That didn’t happen with Coleman’s investigation.
HE OWES THE LEFFELL SCHOOL AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY in Yonkers, Westchester County and in our country an apology for issuing a report without communicating with those involved. If he fails to do this he should resign as President of the Yonkers branch of the NAACP.
Sadly, antisemitism is rampant in this country right now. College students can’t go to school in a safe environment. Security was tight at Jewish institutions and with what is going on in the Middle East has only gotten tighter. Our seniors are afraid to leave the house, and Jewish students some with Yarmulkes on their head are afraid to walk around without being cursed at. Sadly, many of those making antisemitic remarks and creating these unfortunate environments couldn’t find the Middle East on a map.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Is turning over in this grave. Yes, it’s not easy being Jewish anymore!
The Interim Superintendent of the Yonkers Public Schools, Dr. Luis Rodríguez, a man with a tough day job as Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Support Services for the district has pledged to administer further counseling and guided training sessions amongst the school community to prevent what occurred from happening again.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is convening religious, educational and civic leaders. County Executive George Latimer has invited Section 1 leaders, coaches and players to participate in an education round table organized in collaboration with the Westchester County Human Rights Commission and County Youth Bureau. The aim of this is to facilitate open dialogue, promote understanding, and provide education on how to engage with fellow players with respect and dignity.
Other than the horrible words used on the basketball court, the only thing worse is the one sided report issued by Coleman. He owes the Jewish community and Leffell School community an apology immediately.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. Said, ‘We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Editorial Note: Many commented on last week’s article regarding a possible Congressional primary and changing your registration to Democrat to assist the challenger. Everything one has to do to change their party registration by Valentine’s Day, February 14 can be found in this link to the article, https://yonkerstimes.com/how-to-say-goodbye-to-congressman-bowman-on-valentines-day/
Remember, just like you don’t have to be Jewish to eat Levy’s rye bread, everyone who is not a registered Democrat already can change their registration to Democrat and switch it back to what it was before the day after the Primary election which is June 25. Chances at this point of there being a meaningful Presidential primary are minuscule.
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com, or friend him on Facebook Eric Schoen…just look for him in the picture with Joan Rivers!
