TBJ News

November 7, 2023 

22 Cheshvan 5784 

 Dear TBJ Family,   

It has come to our attention that antisemitic posters were found hanging in a bathroom at Millburn High School yesterday morning. Today we reached out to Principal William Miron and Superintendent Christine Burton to express our disappointment in not hearing from them immediately and to offer our help in navigating this situation.

Now more than ever it is essential that we are in touch with our school administrators to advocate for our students especially during these unprecedented times. There is no tolerance for antisemitism in our community, and we are steadfast in our commitment to working together with the town and schools to educate and respond.

We are including the letter below so you can read our honest reaction to this incident and also see other community rabbis who have students at MHS who signed it. We were heartened to receive calls from both Principal Miron and Superintendent Burton this afternoon where we reiterated our concerns and offered our continued partnership to be sure our TBJ students have a safe and respectful environment in which to learn.

In solidarity, and with prayers for peace, 

Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz  
Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman 
Rabbi Leah H. Sternberg   
Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein   
Cantor Howard M. Stahl   
Marc Rothstein, Executive Director    
Karen Feldman, President 

November 7, 2023

Dear Principal Miron & Superintendent Burton,

We are some of your local Jewish clergy writing in response to signs found in the MHS Girl’s Bathroom yesterday depicting anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments. We are disturbed by its messaging which presents mistruths and inflammatory language about the incredibly complex situation in Israel and Gaza. 

And we are equally disappointed and surprised to not have heard from any Millburn School leadership regarding the incident and the safety of all Millburn Jewish students. As we have seen over the last four weeks since the brutal attacks on October 7th, these kinds of messages without constructive conversation have become fodder for violence.

As has been said several times, especially in the months since the creation of One Millburn in the Spring, we want to be your partners, and are grateful for the ways we have been able to come together for strong communal responses regarding tolerance and respect for all people. When incidents like yesterday’s occur, we are eager to be there for you and with you, and to assist in every way possible. It’s therefore disappointing and disheartening when we then learn of these incidents from our congregants who themselves find out from their children.

We welcome your response. As communal partners, we very much need to hear back from you.

Rabbi Daniel Cohen, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, South Orange

Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz, Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Short Hills
Rabbi Ari Isenberg, Congregation B’nai Israel, Millburn
Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman, Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Short Hills
Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg, Temple B’nai Abraham, Livingston