Local Leaders Comment on Antisemitism at SHS

Here is a comment from Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest on last week's incident at Scarsdale High School and the community response:

"My job as mayor is to ensure that every resident of Scarsdale feels safe and welcome, and that responsibility does not stop at the schoolhouse door.

I am deeply concerned by this incident and have been in active communication with school leadership and working closely with our police department. I am committed to ensuring that this incident, and any other instances of antisemitism in our schools, receive the serious attention they deserve.

The response to this incident must be clear and unequivocal. Whatever the intent, there is no context that mitigates an act of hatred, and our institutions should say so without qualification. This is not a time for task forces or committees. This is a time for rooting out antisemitism.

Superintendent Patrick and I have a strong and collaborative relationship, and I am confident that he will examine these issues closely and respond with meaningful action. I will be monitoring progress closely and expect that the community will be kept informed every step of the way.

I also want to say a word about where I believe our community's energy should be directed. In my experience, Mr. Dugan and his wife have been good people, inclusive and community-minded, and I do not believe anyone is served by losing sight of that. Our focus should remain on ensuring that our institutions respond firmly, clearly, and in a way that restores trust.

Hate has no place in Scarsdale. Antisemitism has no place in our schools. We must meet this moment with clarity, resolve, and real action for our students and for our community."

State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin had this to say: “As a long-term resident of Scarsdale, I moved here intentionally to find a community that embraces andsupports my identity as a Jewish woman raising a Jewish family. I've always believed that this is a place where diversity is celebrated and where we can feel proud of who we are—a place where I can wear my Star of David without fear.
 
The students affected by the incident at the High School will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. It could have been a frightening experience for them, especially knowing that some of their peers do not accept who they are. It is up to us as a community to ensure that this is not a time of division, but a moment for everyone to come together to educate and support one another.”