Opinion: Montgomery County Public Schools Is Trying to Silence Jewish Students

October 13, 2023 – Darci Rochkind – Senior at MCPS High School

On Wednesday, Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, released a statement encouraging parents to “be vigilant regarding distressing social media content.” She urged parents to talk to their students “about the content they may currently be viewing and sharing.”

McKnight’s statement is beyond offensive. Numerous Jewish students, including myself, have been deeply impacted by the ongoing events in Israel. I spent the past summer in Beer Sheva which is located about 25 miles from Gaza. My great-grandparents fought in the Haganah, the Israeli resistance, after escaping from Nazi Germany. I also have many friends in the IDF and family that lives in the region.

Like many teenagers, I am active on social media, but even more so during and after the outbreak of violence this past early Saturday morning. I am mindful of what I choose to post, but what is going on in Israel is distressing and must not be silenced. I have watched as many of my favorite towns have been destroyed and am living in a constant state of anxiety regarding the safety of my friends and family.

The world must bear witness to the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. Encouraging students to remain silent about Israel, as Dr. McKnight is suggesting, sets a dangerous precedent. During the Holocaust, millions of people paid with their lives because the world failed to acknowledge their suffering and the mass killings taking place. Seeing some of the graphic content circulating on Instagram of dead bodies, decapitated babies, and destroyed villages, is deeply distressing. However, when the dead are our peers, silencing and sheltering students is the least effective approach our education system can take.

On Thursday, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Jewish Student Union held a meeting to discuss the ongoing events in Israel. After witnessing today’s meeting, it is clear from what was said that students need to feel heard and Montgomery County Public Schools is failing to address this need. A number of leaders from various Jewish Student Union Clubs across Montgomery County Public Schools have started to work collaboratively to fill in where the county is lacking. The schools include Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walt Whitman, Wheaton, Rockville, Wootton, Walter Johnson, Richard Montgoemry, Blair, Quince Orchard, and Kennedy high school.

Students are working on a bake sale to raise money for victims impacted by the violence in Israel on October 22nd, a recorded video lesson for schools regarding antisemitism, and a joint event with Jewish speakers, to name a few projects. There is a lot of work to be done, but it is amazing to see the Jewish community come together in such difficult times. It is unfortunate that MCPS is not doing more to support Jewish students.

Proper education is crucial to prevent history from repeating itself. MCPS should be promoting open dialogue and encouraging students to seek the facts and voice their opinions rather than silencing them.

Jewish Student Union leaders across MCPS went to a vigil to lead a candle lighting which included Congressman Jamie Raskin in attendance

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