New Jersey: Replaced pictures of Jewish students with Muslims in a yearbook, school hires an investigator

Around 700 students from East Brunswick High School in New Jersey received their yearbooks this week. However, some will not remember this book as a joyful souvenir commemorating their teen lives. The section on Jewish Student Union members was erased and replaced with pictures of Muslim students.

East Brunswick School Superintendent Victor Valeski claimed the school and publisher were not at fault. Despite hiring an investigator to find the digital footprint of the person responsible for the action, he doesn't "see anything that points us to an intentional act. But I'm not ruling that out until we complete the investigation." School officials, however, promise to ensure the situation will not become a precedent for future generations.

Valeski additionally issued a statement in which he "sincerely apologize for the hurt, pain and anguish this event has caused our Jewish students, their families and the impact this continues to have on the entire EB community. East Brunswick Public Schools has been a pillar educational organization, thriving on our diversity. We do not tolerate bias, and we investigate all reported antisemitism." In a statement released a day later, he added, " I want to offer sincere apologies to our Muslim students and families, as well. I am aware that the picture placed in the yearbook has caused pain for our Muslim students and for that I am deeply sorry," acknowledging the troubles to make school a place open, tolerant, and inclusive for all students.

New Jersey's Jewish community demands to get the explanation related to the situation as soon as possible. The Jewish Student Union sent CBS New York a statement saying in part "erasure of Jewish students will not be tolerated." Moreover, Abigail Aronovich, a member of the Jewish Student Union, claims antisemitism in the school is a daily experience of Jewish students - "I find it hard to see it as an error ... We've been having an issue with antisemitism at the school. That's why we're here today. It's a build-up. It's a cause and effect."

Town Mayor Brand Cohen demanded an answer from the school and wrote in the post on his social media that "Hate has no place in East Brunswick, and antisemitism will not be tolerated," calling it a "blatant Anti-Semitic act" and urging to press charges from the person responsible for the change.

The New Jersey office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations additionally called for a "transparent and fair" probe, acknowledging the issues and backlash sparked toward Muslim students from the community. As it reads, "This incident has triggered heinous backlash against some Muslim students who had no knowledge of their photo being misused." Cair-NJ reports additionally that Muslim students are facing hateful, racist comments, including calling some of the students "terrorists" and demanding their "deportation."

Sources: ABC, CNN, CBSC, New York Post