Email from Zionist Organization of America   ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA OP-ED ZOA’s Susan Tuchman’s & Co-Counsel Jeffrey Schreiber’s USA Today Op-Ed Re: ZOA’s Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Cherry Hill Public Schools       Cherry Hill Public Schools Earn a Failing Grade on Fighting Antisemitism By refusing to send out the statement about antisemitism in the same way it routinely communicates about all kinds of issues, the district sends a message that the safety and well-being of Jewish students and families are not its priority. By Susan B. Tuchman, Esq. and Jeffrey Schreiber, Esq. (July 2, 2025 / USA Today) Education is not solely about academics; it is also about instilling values and morality in students. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of a true education.” The Cherry Hill School District in New Jersey claims to share this mission, by preparing students “to thrive in an ever-changing world and make it a better place for all.” But in the face of surging antisemitism that has infected its own schools, the district has responded with avoidance and inaction instead of moral clarity and leadership. Lawsuit claims Jewish student was targeted  In June 2025, parents of a Cherry Hill high school student filed a federal lawsuit against the district after their son was allegedly targeted because of his Jewish identity and support for Israel. According to the complaint, shortly after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, their son was surrounded in the school cafeteria by a group of students, some wearing keffiyehs, who cursed at him and raised their fists, threatening violence against him. He escaped a physical assault only because his friends intervened, the suit claims. Just days later, two students allegedly cornered him in a school bathroom, told him that “Jews are not safe here,” and threatened to beat him “unconscious” if he posted anything in support of Israel on social media. The response of district officials to these physical threats was as disturbing as the threats themselves. The parents’ lawsuit claims that the district failed to protect their son and instead retaliated against him. They say he was unfairly disciplined, while his attackers' actions were minimized or ignored entirely. To settle the lawsuit, the district agreed to issue a strong, detailed statement condemning antisemitism. The statement highlights the “skyrocketing” rise in antisemitic incidents in New Jersey and makes it clear that the district will “not tolerate antisemitism in any form.” It promises that all perpetrators of antisemitism, both staff and students, will be held accountable. And it emphasizes the importance of recognizing how antisemitism can manifest. The statement includes a working definition of antisemitism nearly identical to the widely accepted International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, or IHRA, definition, including examples related to anti-Israel bias. The settlement agreement requires the district to both issue the statement to the community and “also” post it on its website. But the district has failed to comply. Although the statement was technically posted online, the district buried it in an obscure section of the district’s website and mislabeled it as a “Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day.” The label made no mention of antisemitism, making it unlikely that community members would recognize its relevance. In contrast, another statement on the same webpage, about Islamophobia, was labeled clearly and appropriately, demonstrating that the district knows how to effectively communicate information to its community when it wants to. More troubling still, in violation of the settlement agreement, the district has refused to issue the statement to families and students — but not because the district cannot do so or because issuing the statement would violate standard district practices. The district frequently sends emails and letters to the community regarding topics such as Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, summer programs, building renaming ceremonies, registration for workshops and seminars and other reminders. Continue Reading   Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email   DONATE   www.zoa.org   Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2025. All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave 31 B | New York, NY 10017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice