A lengthy letter in The Gazette from numerous religious leaders takes the Croton-Harmon school district to task for not adopting the IHRA definition. But it appears to include some ambiguities.
I have lived in Croton for many years and all I remember is how accepting everyone has been to each other. I remember Rabbi Robinson coming every Passover to Holy Name and having a seder for the kids. I remember the interfaith service at Holy Name and the Shofar was brought from the Temple to mark togetherness. I know that many of my son's friends of the Jewish faith played on the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball team and established lifelong friendships. Some villages are so accepting of others that they don't need what others may need. Defining something doesn't make it go away. Being a true Crotonite and extending a hand to our neighbor is what this Village has always been about.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the experience of late for many families here, though I hope things return to more friendly interactions like you describe.
The definition is a step in the right direction because if you can’t identify the problem, you certainly can’t address it and improve things. I applaud the clergy who signed the letter and for bravely standing up when many will try to tell them they are wrong. Jewish children in our schools deserve to feel safe and protected, too, and a definition of antisemitism, which can present in many forms, would help administrators and teachers uphold policies that address bullying and other behaviors of bias or hate.
I was surprised to learn that the school district of Ossining and the towns Chappaqua, North Salem, and Rye adopted definitions of antisemitism. There are also school districts such as Ardsley where they celebrate Jewish heritage month. Did Croton on Hudson adopt a definition of antisemitism?
While the Gazette letter focused mostly on the school district, the clergy did also urge the village of CoH to adopt a definition of antisemitism as well. I am not aware of this being discussed any time in the recent past but perhaps others may know if it was earlier on.
I have lived in Croton for many years and all I remember is how accepting everyone has been to each other. I remember Rabbi Robinson coming every Passover to Holy Name and having a seder for the kids. I remember the interfaith service at Holy Name and the Shofar was brought from the Temple to mark togetherness. I know that many of my son's friends of the Jewish faith played on the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball team and established lifelong friendships. Some villages are so accepting of others that they don't need what others may need. Defining something doesn't make it go away. Being a true Crotonite and extending a hand to our neighbor is what this Village has always been about.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the experience of late for many families here, though I hope things return to more friendly interactions like you describe.
The definition is a step in the right direction because if you can’t identify the problem, you certainly can’t address it and improve things. I applaud the clergy who signed the letter and for bravely standing up when many will try to tell them they are wrong. Jewish children in our schools deserve to feel safe and protected, too, and a definition of antisemitism, which can present in many forms, would help administrators and teachers uphold policies that address bullying and other behaviors of bias or hate.
I was surprised to learn that the school district of Ossining and the towns Chappaqua, North Salem, and Rye adopted definitions of antisemitism. There are also school districts such as Ardsley where they celebrate Jewish heritage month. Did Croton on Hudson adopt a definition of antisemitism?
While the Gazette letter focused mostly on the school district, the clergy did also urge the village of CoH to adopt a definition of antisemitism as well. I am not aware of this being discussed any time in the recent past but perhaps others may know if it was earlier on.
It took a while in the lenghty commentary but finally got around to cirticizing Israel and the Trump Administration.