Montgomery County, Md. – A coalition of local Jewish religious leaders is pressing Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to step up its fight against antisemitism after a surge in hate incidents on school grounds.

Letter from clergy cites alarming trend

Over 40 rabbis and cantors signed a letter to MCPS officials, warning that the past three years have seen “skyrocketing school‑based antisemitism.” The clergy described students who are “hurt and confused” and parents who are “angry” because their children face harassment, isolation and threats to their physical and emotional safety.

Recent incidents underscore concerns

Montgomery County Police Department daily crime summaries, which are publicly released, document several recent antisemitic acts. In the last week alone, a swastika was discovered on a classroom desk at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, an antisemitic symbol appeared in a high‑school locker room, another swastika was found under a desk, and racial and antisemitic graffiti was reported on a bathroom wall.

Clergy’s specific requests

The letter outlines three actions MCPS should take:

• Increase monitoring and rapid response to hate symbols such as swastikas and Nazi slurs.
• Address the weaponization of anti‑Zionist sentiment against Jewish students.
• Partner with community leaders to develop education and prevention programs.

Rabbi Adam Raskin of Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac emphasized that the leaders are not seeking confrontation but partnership, stating, “There’s no excuse for a place like Montgomery County, Maryland to harbor this level of hate, intolerance, misunderstanding. This county, this community, deserves better, and the school system needs to take this much more seriously.”

MCPS response

Fox 5 reached out to MCPS for comment. The district acknowledged receipt of the letter but did not provide an immediate response.

Context and broader impact

Both the Anti‑Defamation League and MCPS data have highlighted an upward trend in antisemitic incidents in the county’s schools, prompting concerns among parents, educators and faith leaders about the safety and inclusivity of learning environments. The clergy’s outreach reflects a broader effort to ensure that public schools protect all students, uphold constitutional rights to free expression while condemning hate, and foster a climate of respect rooted in family and faith values.

Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.