Federation's Advocacy Transforms Antisemitic Incident Into Catalyst for School Reform

By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist

In a case that underscores the pervasive nature of antisemitism, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte played a pivotal role in advocating for a young boy who endured relentless antisemitic bullying at school by connecting his family with the resources required to enact real change. The boy, who is not Jewish, became the target of verbal and physical abuse based on his classmates’ mistaken perception of his faith.

The ordeal began after the student wore a Team Israel Olympic jersey of his favorite baseball player, Ian Kinsler, to school at the Community School of Davidson. What started with a few snide comments quickly escalated to near-daily harassment from as many as nine classmates, who bombarded him with Nazi ideology and other antisemitic slurs.

Complaints to the school proved ineffective as the administration seemed unconcerned with taking appropriate action. Overwhelmed by the dual task of comforting her son and seeking justice, the mother found herself at a loss. “At some point I called a friend of mine whose son went to the Charlotte Jewish Preschool, and I just said, ‘Do you know anyone that I could talk to?’” she recalls. Her friend directed her to Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, setting in motion a chain of events that would eventually bring about a settlement leading to reform at the school.

Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte immediately recognized the gravity of the situation and committed to assisting. Tair Guidice, chief impact officer, and Douglas Greene, government relations & public affairs associate, spoke on the phone with the mother for hours, listening to her story and helping to devise a plan to take action. The family was connected with legal help at the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (Brandeis Center), a nonprofit organization renowned for its strategic legal guidance to individuals facing antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

The Brandeis Center took the case to the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Based on the evidence it reviewed as part of its investigation, the OCR determined that the evidence substantiated the claims of harassment and revealed the school’s failure to address the hostile environment. “In the settlement, the Education Department confirmed that the evidence substantiated the Brandeis Center’s claim that the child was subjected to a hostile environment based on his perceived Jewish shared ancestry and that the school knew about it and did not take prompt and effective steps to address it or the broader hostile environment at the school,” the Brandeis Center reported. The settlement mandated comprehensive changes at the school, including new policies, enhanced reporting and record-keeping procedures, extensive teacher training on investigative techniques and Title VI compliance, student awareness training, and more. These measures aim to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the mother emphasizes the importance of seeking support and taking action. “It is so important for any child and family that encounters antisemitism in their school to know that they also can have a team to fight against it if they just reach out, and that they can take action to report it and make existing laws work. Federation and the Brandeis Center are excellent hands to be in.”

This case highlights the critical role that organizations like Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte play in combating antisemitism and advocating for justice. Swift and decisive actions not only provided relief for one family, but also helped to set a precedent for addressing and preventing such incidents in the future.