Leader Of NJ School Board Resigning Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Remark

6/13/2013

The vice president of the New Jersey School Boards Association has resigned from that post after complaints that she made comments that some interpreted as saying she wanted Jewish members of her local school board replaced.

Rosemary Bernardi remains a member of the school board in Evesham Township.

At a May meeting, some in the audience said Bernardi said that the deadline was approaching to run for the school board and added, "and there are five Jews on the board."

Bernardi has apologized and said that the comment about Jewish members was in response to a question and not related to her announcing the deadline to file to run for the board.

In a statement, the School Boards Association said that having Bernardi remain an officer would hurt the organization.

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rosenberg link

6/15/2013 03:29:48 pm

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Edison rabbi defends N.J. board of education member forced out for comments about Jews

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Jeff Goldman/The Star-Ledger By Jeff Goldman/The Star-Ledger
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on June 14, 2013 at 11:12 AM

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rosenbneg.jpgRabbi Bernhard RosenbergStar-Ledger file photo

A prominent Middlesex County rabbi criticized the decision by a school board in South Jersey to force a member to resign for making remarks about Jewish people.

Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg of Congregation Beth El in Edison called the Evesham Board of Education's decision to call for Rosemary Bernardi's resignation "wrong."

"I don't think it's fair," Rosenberg told The Star-Ledger by phone this morning. "We've gone a little too far in being politically correct."

Bernardi "seemed irked" when the board voted to re-arrange the start of classes in September so they didn't interfere with Rosh Hashanah, according to a report on Philly.com.

Bernardi, who also stepped down as vice president of the New Jersey School Boards Association on Tuesday, allegedly said, "It''s up to the parents to keep their kids home, all seven or eight Jews who live in our district."

People who attended the May 23 meeting also claimed Bernardi pointed out that the date for potential candidates to declare they were running for the board was approaching and seemed to encourage non-Jews to run for spots up for grabs, the Philly.com report said.

"There are three seats up, and there are five Jews on the board," she allegedly said.

Rosenberg, who is also the township chaplain in Edison, said her comments didn't warrant her having to give up her position.

"Unless we can prove she's being anti-Semitic, she doesn't deserve this," he said. "She's right, she didn't say anything wrong. Let's not make her the villain when she's not."

The board called her comments "anti-Semitic and bigoted, adding that her remarks were "abhorrent in a community like Evesham"

5 FAIRHILL RD. EDISON NJ 08817 732 572 2766

REGARDING ROSEMARY BERNARDI.

IF one can prove she is truly anti-Semitic then she should be dismissed from all her positions. Does she have such a history? I have successfully fought against people who wanted to get rid of Rosh Hashanah as a day off from school several times in the past. However, to publicly label someone as an anti-Semite one needs to have substantial proof. Insensitive, yes. Misspoken, yes . Is she truly an anti-Semite or was she angry about the whole issue of holidays off for one religion and not another..The reason I am commenting from Edison, NJ , is because I have more experience than most. Twice I was successful in keeping Rosh Hashanah in the school calendar. Many have consulted with me. This area has seen a major demographic change with people from many religious backgrounds asking for school closings. While I would advise Jews to fight for Rosh Hashanah closing, the reality is that the population is changing. It makes sense that people on the Board of Ed would fight for days off for their own religious holidays.While I think Ms. Bernardi showed a lack of sensitivity to Jewish people, I feel her expression was more out of anger than anti-Semitism. If it was up to me I would do away with all holiday cancellation of classes and create a 5 year calendar with alternating religious holiday cancellations. RABB DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

ROSENBERG link

6/16/2013 05:24:44 am

I am disappointed that by now Rosemary Bernardi did not offer a warmer apology and do not understand why she has not commented in these discussions. I DO NOT KNOW HER AND MAYBE SOME OF YOU ARE CORRECT AND I WAS WRONG. I have spoken to her twice asking why did she resign and suggesting she make an apology with more conviction regarding her statements which can be interpreted as anti-Semitic. I stuck my head out hoping she would apologize with conviction. IF I was on the board and was convinced she was anti-Semitic I WOULD have ACTED IN THE SAME WAY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND AFTER ALL MY ATTEMPTS WHY SHE DID NOT TRY AND CALM DOWN THE SITUATION. WE DO NOT NEED ILL FEELINGS BETWEEN JEWS AND NON-JEWS. I apologize to all if I WAS wrong. I never back down from a fight to support Jews but I also try to mend fences especially when asked. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

Leader Of NJ School Board Resigning Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Remark

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