In Massachusetts, a middle school principal has reportedly issued an apology to a seventh-grade student following feedback from a family regarding a class on anti-Semitism that left some students feeling “unseen.”
According to a letter shared on social media, Johnny Cole, the principal of William Diamond Middle School in Lexington, noted that the lesson aimed to connect Holocaust education with contemporary issues. “The goal was significant: to recognize hatred, understand its roots, and encourage speaking out against it,” he expressed.
In his communication, Cole acknowledged that not all students felt included in this experience. “We’ve consulted with your family and learned that the lesson didn’t resonate well for everyone,” he mentioned. “Some felt overlooked, as though their identities and histories were neglected.”
He conveyed his disappointment, stating, “Every student—whether Arab, Jewish, Lebanese, Muslim, or Palestinian—should feel valued in this school. We clearly missed the mark here.” (There’s been outreach to Cole for further comments.)
Deborah Lipstadt, a former US special envoy on anti-Semitism, remarked that the principal’s email highlights a troubling narrative where “Jewish history and community have been marginalized.”
Trisha Posner, from Antisemitism Watch, expressed similar concerns, arguing, “This is how they attempt to erase Jewish history.” She pointed out that the response to the teaching about the Holocaust seems to be a way to sidestep discomfort among Arab and Muslim students, suggesting it allows for a skewed narrative about historical tragedies.
The Commission for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis has criticized the superintendent’s response, urging Lexington Public Schools to take specific actions. They called for clear procedures to address hate incidents and enhance the curriculum on Jewish culture and identity.
Kurt Schwartz, CEO of CAMERA, contended that Holocaust education shouldn’t be seen as an affront to any student’s identity. He cited troubling past incidents at the school, including a swastika appearing in a boys’ bathroom, and criticized the principal’s handling of a Jewish student wearing an “anti-Nazi” message.
Meanwhile, a June 17 letter to the editor revealed a student’s experience with censorship. Teagan Murtagh, an eighth-grader, recounted being approached by Cole in the hallway. He advised her against wearing a sweatshirt that proclaimed anti-Nazi sentiments, stating that some students felt threatened by its message.
Murtagh, whose great-grandparents survived the Holocaust, highlighted a situation from December when Nazi symbols appeared in the school’s bathrooms. The school’s response, she noted, was merely a call for kindness.
