Houston, TX - Jewish Student Forced to Wear Star of David for School Holocaust Remembrance Project |
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Houston, TX - A high school history lesson left one student in tears. The lesson is about the holocaust and part of the assignment is to wear the Star of David. However, one parent said it made her daughter feel it was more like the scarlet letter.
Miriam Youngblood is shocked at the history lesson plan she said is unacceptable. Her daughter, a junior at Dekaney High School told her she is being forced to do something that made her feel uncomfortable.
“(She) had to wear a yellow star of David that said “Jewed” on them like the ones our ancestors had to wear during the Holocaust,” said Miriam Youngblood.
Proud of her Jewish ancestry, her daughter was in tears and her family became upset. Youngblood spent all Tuesday morning calling school administrators. We called too and got in touch with the Spring I.S.D. Director of Communications. We were told the principal was too busy to talk on camera. Instead we were given a written statement:
“The purpose of the Holocaust remembrance project at Dekaney high school is to commemorate and honor the people who were victims of the Holocaust….students who did not want to participate in the activity were to speak to their teacher and they would be given the alternative assignment…”
Youngblood said that’s not true.
“Her instructor told me she had to wear the star as well as do a written assignment,” said Youngblood. “(If she didn’t) she would get a failing grade.”
Youngblood said she understands the teacher wanted to spread awareness about genocide and racism but she feels the lesson plan went too far.
“To make a Jewish student wear a Star of David that was used as a sign that our people were inferior,” said Youngblood. “Is not acceptable.”
Youngblood eventually received a call from the high school’s principal. She apologized to her and her daughter and told her she will not fail the project and doesn’t have to wear the Star of David.
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Read Comments (38) — Post Yours »
1
Jan 26, 2010 at 09:17 PM Sensitive Much? Says:Report as Inappropriate
What is so bad about wearing a Star of David? It will instill in Youngblood the feeling that her previous coreligionists felt. Soon people like her are going to be banning Holocaust education altogether--it brings back too many memories...
2
Jan 26, 2010 at 09:34 PM Confused Texan Says:Report as Inappropriate
Well well well... the JEW decides not to participate in the Holocaust remembrance. What about the Nazi's grandson who ends up in tears because of its implication?
Maybe no student should have to do what their teacher says... and we will get an ignorant next generation... but at least they won't CRY.
3
Jan 26, 2010 at 09:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
the girl has my full support, no Jewish person should ever be forced to wear that.
4
Jan 26, 2010 at 09:39 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
doesnt sound like they are trying to teach about the holocaust. it sounds like they are trying to reenact and perpetuate the antisemitism that happened. i cant believe some school would want a jewish kid to wear a yellow star of david. you can show it in the photos and talk about it but to make her do it is like making her go thru the holocuast again. i can not believe this story. this is a big horror that they might try somtihng like this in a school.
5
Jan 26, 2010 at 09:51 PM Lala Says:Report as Inappropriate
That's stupid. I would wear it proudly on the street and anywhere else. I'm proud to be a Jew and wearing this would only show that off.
6
Jan 26, 2010 at 10:07 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Nebach, this jewish girl is in a goyishe school, and is the victim of intelluctual anti semitism . If her parents were smart they would put her into a jewish school, where she will be comfortable. The downside? Shh, this girl might become religous.
7
Jan 26, 2010 at 10:12 PM Moishe Groinem Says:Report as Inappropriate
Reply to #1
Thates nothing wrong with wearing a star of david, there's evrything wrong with focing someone to wear one against his or her will.
8
Jan 26, 2010 at 10:19 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ What is so bad about wearing a Star of David? It will instill in Youngblood the feeling that her previous coreligionists felt. Soon people like her are going to be banning Holocaust education altogether--it brings back too many memories... ”
What would your response be if on martin luther king day, a school would make a black student wear a sign that said negro or colored?
9
Jan 26, 2010 at 10:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I am the child of holocaust victims. Obviously I and my parents should not be ashamed, the nazi animals should be ashamed.
In this story the child was made uncomfortable because she was singled out as a Jew in a racist, non Jewish crowd. This was not simply a lesson, this was a violation of hew civil rights. Had they chosen volunteers that were not Jewish they would have taught more.
10
Jan 26, 2010 at 10:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ doesnt sound like they are trying to teach about the holocaust. it sounds like they are trying to reenact and perpetuate the antisemitism that happened. i cant believe some school would want a jewish kid to wear a yellow star of david. you can show it in the photos and talk about it but to make her do it is like making her go thru the holocuast again. i can not believe this story. this is a big horror that they might try somtihng like this in a school. ”
Anonymous 9:39, you didn't really mean that making her wear the yellow star of David was like making her go through the Holocaust, did you?
11
Jan 26, 2010 at 11:20 PM professor Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I am the child of holocaust victims. Obviously I and my parents should not be ashamed, the nazi animals should be ashamed.
In this story the child was made uncomfortable because she was singled out as a Jew in a racist, non Jewish crowd. This was not simply a lesson, this was a violation of hew civil rights. Had they chosen volunteers that were not Jewish they would have taught more. ”
I believe that all students, Jew and Gentile alike, were asked to wear the star.
13
Jan 27, 2010 at 01:51 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Nebach, this jewish girl is in a goyishe school, and is the victim of intelluctual anti semitism . If her parents were smart they would put her into a jewish school, where she will be comfortable. The downside? Shh, this girl might become religous. ”
Another downside is she might not get quality secular education that focuses on college prep level courses. The 5 or 6 yeshivas in NY that do have solid secular programs cost more than college tuition, so I's sure it's even harder to find a yeshiva like that in TX.
14
Jan 27, 2010 at 03:58 AM heshy Says:Report as Inappropriate
Thats what you get for Jewish kids going to public or non Jewsih schools. A Jewish kid should be in yeshiva. It is Divine punishment for her assimilation that she is being forced to wear a yellow star.
15
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:21 AM Teacher Says:Report as Inappropriate
The proper way to administer this lesson would have been to have the entire class wear the stars.
I wonder if it really said 'Jewed' or if the well-educated reporter meant to write 'Jude'.
16
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:23 AM Zissy Solomon Says:Report as Inappropriate
guys, you're missing the story. She wasn't singled out to wear the yellow star. The ENTIRE class Jew or non Jew wore them. So why would it make her uncomfortable?
17
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:43 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I do not see anything wrong in wearing the star of david for holocaust day!! The girl is not going through the holocaust and it might teach her something. Crying about it !! boo hoo, why does she not cry for the millions who died??? Something is wrong here!!
18
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:48 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
The star of david is a religious symbol. Would it be okay if the teacher said wear a cross as they learned about the crusades or inquisition? Even if all students are being asked to wear it?
19
Jan 27, 2010 at 09:00 AM David Says:Report as Inappropriate
I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they might have meant well, but, boy, was that ever a stupid idea. The decent thing at this point would be for the school to apologize profusely, and provide some remedial training to the faculty and staff that approved this nut-case idea.
20
Jan 27, 2010 at 09:01 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Another downside is she might not get quality secular education that focuses on college prep level courses. The 5 or 6 yeshivas in NY that do have solid secular programs cost more than college tuition, so I's sure it's even harder to find a yeshiva like that in TX. ”
FYI all yeshivas outside of NY/NJ in real out of town communities (not lakewood,or other substantial ones )by design offer a first class secular education as they are more kiruv oriented and know they must compete against public schools and free tuition.
21
Jan 27, 2010 at 09:06 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Another downside is she might not get quality secular education that focuses on college prep level courses. The 5 or 6 yeshivas in NY that do have solid secular programs cost more than college tuition, so I's sure it's even harder to find a yeshiva like that in TX. ”
While you might not get a fancy gym, hockey team or a super science lab you can get a very good secular education in brooklyn without paying 15gs a year (that is not to say 5-10thousand a year is not extremely hard) my friends that went into the professional world from chaim berlin torah vodas chofetz chaim etc..have the same business/ doctor/ lawyer/ jobs that the graduates of the fancy yeshivas received. Additionally, most girl schools in flatbush and even one or two in Boro Park offer a very solid secular education as well.
22
Jan 27, 2010 at 09:15 AM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
These kinds of re-enactments are common in Jewish schools and after-school programs. Those are the proper settings for this kind of thing - where a Jew does not feel singled out. A goyishe school approaches this from an academic standpoint, whereas we obviously have a a personal perspective. Imagine you are the only Jew in your class and then you are asked (even if for learning purposes) to sit in a classroom wearing the star. It can be frightening to a child. The teacher was wrong and should have dropped the issue when the girl expressed her desire NOT to participate. Forcing her only made it appear like REAL antisemitism... not a game.
23
Jan 27, 2010 at 10:35 AM H-town Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Another downside is she might not get quality secular education that focuses on college prep level courses. The 5 or 6 yeshivas in NY that do have solid secular programs cost more than college tuition, so I's sure it's even harder to find a yeshiva like that in TX. ”
There are great day schools in Houston--Chabad, Yeshivish, & MO. Come on down and take a look.
24
Jan 27, 2010 at 10:42 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Another downside is she might not get quality secular education that focuses on college prep level courses. The 5 or 6 yeshivas in NY that do have solid secular programs cost more than college tuition, so I's sure it's even harder to find a yeshiva like that in TX. ”
I hate to break it to you, but in most communities outside NY, yeshivas have to meet the education standards set by the local school system. I can assure you that the yeshivas available to someone from Houston would have a very good secular curriculum.
25
Jan 27, 2010 at 11:39 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Nebach, this jewish girl is in a goyishe school, and is the victim of intelluctual anti semitism . If her parents were smart they would put her into a jewish school, where she will be comfortable. The downside? Shh, this girl might become religous. ”
I agree completely. Jewish children belong in Jewish schools. Period. End of story.
26
Jan 27, 2010 at 11:56 AM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ FYI all yeshivas outside of NY/NJ in real out of town communities (not lakewood,or other substantial ones )by design offer a first class secular education as they are more kiruv oriented and know they must compete against public schools and free tuition. ”
You make up stories. Yeshivos in "out of town" communities as well as plenty of "in town" yeshivos offer secular education because that is how they prepare children for life after 20. If it weren't for those of us with an education, those of you who choose to live a life of ignorance would have nobody to turn to for money! While some of these schools are kiruv oriented, most are NOT. It has nothing to do with competing against public schools. These are frum families who want their children to have a future that does not involve living on welfare and the already strained backs of their neighbors. You could stand to learn a thing or two from them.
27
Jan 27, 2010 at 12:01 PM bas devorah Says:Report as Inappropriate
It would make sense to have had all the students, Jew and gentile alike, wear a Yellow Star, just as the King of Denmark and his people did in an act of solidarity witht he Jews. That would have been a meaningful history lesson.
28
Jan 27, 2010 at 12:13 PM read the article Says:Report as Inappropriate
She wasnt sangled out as a Jew everyone was supposed to wear one. she just cried because she feels uncomfortable feeling Jewish!
29
Jan 27, 2010 at 12:21 PM reply to 13 Says:Report as Inappropriate
I like your priorities. Give up raising your child like a Jew for a good education. After all that's what's really important in life. Nebech.
30
Jan 27, 2010 at 01:13 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ She wasnt sangled out as a Jew everyone was supposed to wear one. she just cried because she feels uncomfortable feeling Jewish! ”
No, she feels pain because she's a little kid who is being forced to reenact part of a tragedy her own family might have suffered! How do you know she doesn't have relatives who are survivors or martyrs? How do you know she wasn't raised with full awareness of what the "Jude" badge was designed to do to the Jewish People? Did it ever occur to you that just maybe it hurt to much to wear it because she's a sensitive , empathetic child who relives the pain her people suffered?
31
Jan 27, 2010 at 01:20 PM 5T Resident Says:Report as Inappropriate
If it were me, I'd never take it OFF. I'd wear it all the time to remind people of the hatred we Jews face every day. Let it make people uncomfortable. Too bad.
32
Jan 27, 2010 at 02:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
My nephew attends this school and he said he was offered an alternative assignment as the statement from the school said. I don't believe we are hearing both sides of the story and it would be wrong to assume anything. My nephew was proud to not only wear the Star of David but also research his assigned person. And, for the record, all students enrolled in that class were asked to wear one in remembrance of the person they were assigned.
33
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:57 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Thats what you get for Jewish kids going to public or non Jewsih schools. A Jewish kid should be in yeshiva. It is Divine punishment for her assimilation that she is being forced to wear a yellow star. ”
divine punishment - it's not for you to judge.
34
Jan 27, 2010 at 06:01 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ the girl has my full support, no Jewish person should ever be forced to wear that. ”
First of all you only heard one side of the story, think about it, who in there right mind would jepordize their job by making a student do a project that makes them feel bad,Did you hear the teachers side of the story ? there is always 2 sides you know, just maybe the mother told a little white lie on the teacher.It seems like her purpose was mainly to make a serious issue out of this .She really could've resolved it with the principal instead of going to the media,what is that really about?.I wonder if the child really took it to the degree she said.
35
Jan 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ You make up stories. Yeshivos in "out of town" communities as well as plenty of "in town" yeshivos offer secular education because that is how they prepare children for life after 20. If it weren't for those of us with an education, those of you who choose to live a life of ignorance would have nobody to turn to for money! While some of these schools are kiruv oriented, most are NOT. It has nothing to do with competing against public schools. These are frum families who want their children to have a future that does not involve living on welfare and the already strained backs of their neighbors. You could stand to learn a thing or two from them. ”
I happen to be a professional as is my wife.(my wife actually has two post college degrees in different fields while I possess a masters) I suggest you read to whom I was responding and then you would better understand my answer. And by the way, I am involved with people heavily involved in Chinuch I will correct you about something you wrote most yeshivas in smaller Jewish communities do have to compete against the local public school system and tend to offer more AP courses and have many more extracurricular activities compared to most yeshivas in town or in larger communities simply since they must. I guarantee most administrators would be happy to get rid of a lot of these costs in the name of cost saving, but they can't. Additionally, Kiruv is a huge part even for a student from a fully Shomer Shabbos home as the Yeshiva is the focal point of these teens jewish lives in a much bigger way then any place in NY or Lakewood.
36
Jan 28, 2010 at 08:57 AM clear thinker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ If it were me, I'd never take it OFF. I'd wear it all the time to remind people of the hatred we Jews face every day. Let it make people uncomfortable. Too bad. ”
Living in the 5t has done wonders. You have a choice. You should wear it. To work, to school, to the butcher store. You will make some people uncomfortable. Please write when you plan to do so since I think it is a great idea and would like to see you do this. Perhaps the next time a neturei kartei rabbi visits the 5ts you can wear it to mincha.
37
Jan 28, 2010 at 10:20 AM Aharon Says:Report as Inappropriate
Not to sound insensitive or anything but don't we pound the goyim with talk about the holocaust? By no means do I agree with the teacher "forcing" the young girl wear the star but were the other kids wearing it? If so, it doesn't sound like she was singled out.
38
Jan 28, 2010 at 11:53 AM Laura padilla Says:Report as Inappropriate
Im a student that goes to dekaney high school. We were told that this girl took everything to far which is true us students understand it was for the rememberance of jews. But theres always going to be that one person who will take it to the heart.
39
Jan 28, 2010 at 01:22 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ guys, you're missing the story. She wasn't singled out to wear the yellow star. The ENTIRE class Jew or non Jew wore them. So why would it make her uncomfortable? ”
true true all this happened becuase she wanted attention people are real mad at school because we couldve got an easy test grade!