Swastika Incident at a Montco Middle School Ignites Concern
By Jim Melwert
DRESHER, Pa. (CBS) -- The Upper Dublin school district, in Montgomery County, was getting in touch with community leaders after a Jewish student was taunted with a swastika at a middle school in Dresher, Pa.
According to the Ambler Gazette, the swastika was drawn on a paper airplane, which was then launched onto the lunchroom table of the Jewish student at Sandy Run Middle School.
In an e-mail to parents, principal Jill Clark says they notified the parents of the two students involved: the one who drew the symbol, and the one to whom it was directed.
And she says they plan to reach out to local clergy and the Anti-Defamation League.
Rabbi Gregory Marx, with Congregation Beth Or, in Maple Glen, says that although the incident is certainly disconcerting, he hopes it doesn't get blown out of proportion.
"Kids are at a very impressionable age," he tells KYW Newsradio. "They learn about hate on the Internet, they hear jokes in the school halls, and they think it's funny and they think it's cute to harass people sometimes."
Rabbi Marx says he hopes to help the school teach children the importance of diversity and the need to be more sensitive to each other.
The e-mail to parents says they're planning a community meeting.