Private Schools in Northern Virginia Face Complaint Over Anti-Semitic Harassment

Reports have emerged that a northern Virginia private school expelled three Jewish brothers who experienced severe anti-Semitic harassment following the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Brandeis Center, advocating for the children’s parents, Brian Vasquez and Ashokroy, has filed a complaint against the K-8 Academy, located about an hour from Washington, D.C., and its principal, Kenneth Naismith.

The couple’s 11-year-old daughter claims that she suffered from a “promotion of exile” led by a few “popular students” simply because she is Jewish during the 2024-2025 school year.

Students cruelly taunted her, alleging her uncle was killed in the attacks, only for her to clarify that her uncle had died many years prior, unrelated to those events.

Some peers derided her as “Israel,” accusing Jews of being “baby killers,” and stated she “deserved to die for what’s going on in Gaza.”

Others insisted that “everyone in the school hates you because you’re Jewish and support Israel.” In one email sent by Nysmith School, it was noted that students even attempted to create child-sized drawings inspired by Machiavelli, including grotesque depictions connected to past rulers.

Among the drawings, one notably featured a figure bearing a resemblance to Adolf Hitler, complete with his characteristic toothbrush mustache.

The school had assigned a project focused on Machiavelli, with some students highlighting Hitler as a strong leader.

Vazquez and Roy reported multiple harassment instances to Nysmith, who promised to take action. However, weeks went by without any apparent change. Instead, it seemed the school shifted its focus from addressing the brothers’ concerns to canceling an annual event where student survivors spoke about their experiences with anti-Semitism.

The couple met with Naismith on March 11 to discuss escalating harassment incidents, notably after the school displayed the Palestinian flag shortly after a lesson on the Holocaust.

While the parents had no issue with the flag’s presence among others, they were alarmed that some students appeared to use it as a justification for hostility towards Jewish students.

In what seemed like a frustration-fueled comment, Naismith allegedly advised the couple that their daughter simply needed to “strengthen” herself.

Just two days later, the family received an email notifying them of their children’s expulsion.

Nysmith’s correspondence emphasized the necessity of a collaborative environment to support young students during challenging times. The couple, however, was caught off guard by the expulsion despite having already paid tuition for the upcoming school year.

The school indicated that families would receive a reimbursement for all fees paid, though it remains uncertain if this has occurred.

In response to the situation, Kenneth L. Marcus, the chairman of the Brandeis Center, remarked that the school’s actions conveyed a troubling message that bullying against Jewish families is tolerated. He called for solidarity in combating anti-Semitism.

The complaint seeks damages for various expenses, including the children’s online courses and anti-Semitism training for the Nysmith community.

Nysmith has declined to comment fully on the claims, asserting that the information circulating online doesn’t reflect the complete context of the situation.