ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA NEWS RELEASE   ZOA PROMPTS FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO FAIRFAX, VA SCHOOL DISTRICT’S RESPONSE TO ANTISEMITIC HARASSMENT NEW YORK, NY (November 8, 2022) – In response to a detailed complaint filed last January by the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating whether the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in Virginia inadequately responded to incidents of antisemitic harassment. FCPS is one of the largest school districts in the U.S. In a November 3, 2022 letter, OCR notified ZOA that it will be investigating ZOA’s allegations that FCPS discriminated against Jewish students by responding ineffectively to incidents of harassment that include but are not limited to:  Students giving “Heil Hitler” and Nazi salutes; School officials leaving intact a wall tile display in a school hallway that included swastikas and other Nazi imagery; Students making “jokes” (e.g., “What’s the difference between putting a pizza in the oven and putting a Jew in the oven? The pizza doesn’t scream.”) and other harassing statements regarding Jews and money (e.g., “Jew them down”); Requiring classroom assignments that trivialized the Holocaust; and Students mocking a Hebrew song during chorus class and in the hallways. ZOA National President Morton A. Klein announced, “We are pleased that OCR is investigating FCPS for failing to respond effectively to longstanding problems of antisemitism in the district. We thank members of the Jewish community who came to us, shared the painful antisemitic experiences that their children endured, and described how the experiences were rendered even more painful for students and their families when the antisemitism was met with indifference, insensitivity, and inaction by FCPS officials.” Director of the ZOA Center for Law and Justice Susan B. Tuchman, Esq. added, “We look forward to OCR thoroughly investigating ZOA’s allegations. ZOA and the Fairfax Jewish community are counting on OCR to ensure that FCPS finally lives up to its legal obligations under Title VI and provides Jewish students with a learning environment that is safe, respectful, and welcoming. That is what every student deserves and has a right to under the law.”   Read More   Listen to ZOA Chairman David I. Schoen Interviews, Regarding ZOA's Gala Ft. Pres. Donald Trump & More Listen Listen Listen   Share This Email Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2022, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]