Students Organize Hit a Jew Day, Get Punishment

BND reports on "Hit A Jew Day" story.

The incident happened last week at Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield. It began with an unofficial “Spirit Week” among sixth-graders - first-year students at the school - that started harmlessly enough with a “Hug a Friend Day.” Then there was “High Five Day.”

Soon, though, the days moved from friendly to silly to, reportedly, hateful. Next there was “Hit a Tall Person Day” and, finally, “Hit a Jew Day.”

District spokesman Paul Tandy said Thursday that in most cases, some of the school’s approximately three dozen Jewish students were tapped on the shoulders or backs. But in one case, a student was allegedly slapped in the face.

District officials are still investigating but believe only a handful of children were directly involved. Those who actually struck classmates could face suspension and required counseling, Tandy said. Others who weren’t directly involved but taunted Jewish students or egged on classmates could face lesser penalties.

At first glance, I was horrified to read the "Hit A Jew Day" story. But this event, though unfortunate, was not as anti-Semitic as many people may believe because Jews were not the only ones targeted. If a group of students had come up with “Hit a Jew Day” out of the blue, then that would have been terrible. However, this day was merely the latest in a long line of silly days that focused on some particular group. I’m sure that “Hit a Hispanic Person” and “Hit a Basketball Player” would have been next.

[Full disclosure: I am Jewish.]

So, this specific “day” was not anything against Jews specifically, and it should not be treated as an anti-Semitic incident worthy of overblown condemnation. What the children should be taught is that focusing negative attention on someone as a result of their race, religion, nationality, or any other individual characteristic is not something nice to do.

Still, the timing of this occurrence makes me wary. As the article notes:

The incident comes at a time of increasing reports of anti-Jewish behavior in the region, [Karen] Aroesty, [regional director of the Anti-Defamation League], said. A hate crime is under investigation in another St. Louis suburb, University City, where someone threw eggs at families of Orthodox Jews, she said.

She believes the economic crisis may be spurring anti-Jewish sentiments.

“When economic crisis hits, somebody has to be blamed, and historically, Jews get the brunt of this,” Aroesty said.

I hope that the "Hit A Jew Day" is only an isolated incident. But, as the ADL itself notes, anti-Semitism seems to be creeping up worldwide as a result of the financial crisis.

Reported by Samuel J. Scott.