Community reacts to anti-Semitic drawings

Alumni, neighbors, elected officials respond

Rachel Cohen, Staff Editor|November 11, 2018

Five anti-Semitic drawings were discovered throughout Pascack Valley, causing the closure of the boys bathroom on the second floor. The PV community has reacted on Twitter about the incidents.

After The Smoke Signal broke the story that swastikas have been found at Pascack Valley, the community has spoken out about anti-Semitism. Two anti-Semitic drawings were confirmed by Pascack Valley Regional High School District Superintendent Erik Gundersen at the Board of Education meeting Monday, Nov. 5, along with three swastikas found Tuesday, Nov. 6, by staff. Below are collected tweets of reactions to the incidents.

Responses from Graduates and Students of PV

This is absolutely disgusting. I was lucky enough to feel safe attending high school here as a Jewish young woman, but after recent events both around the country and at PV it is clear that anti-Semitism is alive and well, which is terrifying and unacceptable. https://t.co/p0bI66hfrH

— Lauren (@lauren_coh) November 7, 2018

Hillsdale PD gonna get em pic.twitter.com/CvsvfZuyhB

— SpookDawg (@SydneyKrantz1) November 7, 2018

Grind up go valley https://t.co/OjFQiDsOdM

— Steven Paskas (@StevenPaskas) November 7, 2018

AGAIN??

— Jamie IsReading (@JamieIsReading) November 6, 2018

This is NOT the first time something like this has happened at PV… and if the Board of Ed. treats it the same way they did last time, it certainly won’t be the last. @CNN @NBCNews @CBSNews https://t.co/95LHjh78A5

— Ambs (@AmberArbegast) November 7, 2018

This isn’t news they’ve been there lmao https://t.co/gUYRHkxXWr

— Jahren James (@JahrenJames) November 6, 2018

Responses from Teachers

Absolutely. The good news is that we can decide to put symbols of love and acceptance into the community to counter those of hate and division. Let’s get to it. #pvpride https://t.co/ty6TPHPFnR

— Matt Morone (@MrMorone) November 7, 2018

Responses from the Community

Well done @egunder and #PVRHS on being proactive and sending a clear message that this behavior is not tolerated or acceptable. #BeTheChange #COEXIST pic.twitter.com/qJHu2UfQt4

— bibiana prada (@bookgirl614) November 6, 2018

Proud of my district for tackling this head on. Parents/adults – we need to do better. Also, grateful to the surrounding districts for the support that they are expressing. Hate has no place here.

— Lee Ann Schwartz (@lschwartz0403) November 7, 2018

Responses from Other Schools

The River Vale School District joins @pvrhsd in condemning these acts of hatred. This simply has no place in our community. https://t.co/Ja9H5JeG44

— Rory McCourt (@MccourtRory) November 6, 2018

The Harrington Park School District stands with @pvrhsd and @egunder. Hope will always triumph over hate and fear. @BergenCountyASA #WeStandAsOne https://t.co/pB0cApT04x

— Dr. Adam D. Fried (@AdamDFried) November 6, 2018

The Emerson Public School District stands with @pvrhsd and @egunder. Hate will never divide us. @BergenCountyASA #WeStandAsOne https://t.co/Fe8XOG0wfI

— Emerson, NJ Schools (@EmersonSupt) November 7, 2018

The Maywood School District stands with @PVHS_Principal and @egunder. We are one and will not stand for hate in any form. https://t.co/wEfqqgLfpc

— Maywood PRIDE (@MAYWOODSCHOOLS) November 7, 2018

Upper Saddle River Schools stand with @egunder and @PVHS_Principal in taking a strong stance against hate displayed in schools #WeStandAsOne

— Brad Siegel (@USR_Supt) November 7, 2018

Ramapo Indian Hills also stands with @pvrhsd –Hate has no place in our schools and communities. Believe in the hope of a brighter tomorrow. Thank you @egunder for a strong message. #hope @BergenCountyASA https://t.co/LxIRoEfbJJ

— ??????? ?????? (@beverly_mackay) November 7, 2018

The Wyckoff School District stands with @pvrhsd and @egunder Don’t give hate a foothold in our schools and communities https://t.co/2AmyfFLnln

— Richard Kuder (@richkuder) November 7, 2018

@NVRHS_NJ stands with @pvrhsd. #hatehasnoplace @egunder https://t.co/TMkHurdZfn

— James Santana (@JSantanaNV) November 8, 2018

Tenafly Public Schools stand with @pvrhsd and @egunder. Peace and hope will always triumph over hate and fear. @BergenCountyASA #WeStandAsOne https://t.co/7V3IdRH4ZL

— ShaunaDeMarco (@TenaflySupt) November 8, 2018

Other News Coverage

#BREAKING Three swastikas found at Pascack Valley High School, the second time that’s happened at the school this year https://t.co/I0ydpvVcFt

— NorthJersey.com (@northjersey) November 7, 2018

Swastikas found in N.J. school for the second time this year https://t.co/R3lRWoRrL7 pic.twitter.com/u2DZ2kgRYb

— NJ.com (@njdotcom) November 7, 2018

Swastikas Found Inside New Jersey High School — WCBS 880 AM

‘Hate Won’t Overshadow Us’—Police Probe Swastikas — Pascack Press

New Jersey Governor’s Response

Appalled by yet another act of anti-Semitism – swastikas drawn at Pascack Valley Regional High School. We will continue to fight hate with love, tolerance, and acceptance.
https://t.co/uh1ai3KcM7

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 8, 2018