Edenvale headmaster apologises for anti-Semitic incident

PETER FELDMAN

Dr Larry Harmer, principal of Edenvale High School, sent a letter to King David Victory Park High School principal Andrew Baker, stating: “On behalf of Edenvale High I apologise unequivocally for any offence caused.”

The incident to which he refers happened on May 18 when King David Victory Park teenagers were participating in a one-act play competition with other schools at Waterstone College in Kibler Park.

They were taunted by Edenvale High learners, who were using Nazi salutes and “Heil Hitler” chants. King David learners had been performing a poignant play about children in a Nazi concentration camp, based on the novel “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”.   

 On Monday an urgent meeting was convened to address the matter, attended by Harmer, Baker and two members of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Wendy Kahn, its national director, and Prof Karen Milner, its deputy chairman. From all accounts the meeting had been positive and constructive. 

Initially the Edenvale headmaster put out a statement, that was seen on the Edenvale High School Facebook page, that claimed it was only one Edenvale learner involved and that the reaction had been blown out of all proportion.

However, following further discussion, he changed his mind and sent the unequivocal apology.

“We have agreed to work with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre on an education and sensitivity programme at the school to prevent further incidents of this sort,” wrote Harmer. 

“I have received the suggestions on the best way to move forward and believe we need to focus on resolving the situation.”

He added: “I place on record that I, and Edenvale High School, strongly condemn any anti-Semitic or racial behaviour of any kind.  We have a zero tolerance policy towards this type of behaviour.”

Harmer said he had done his own investigation and that the boy, who was the main protagonist from his school, showed “immediate remorse straight after the incident when he realised it was a hurtful and inappropriate thing to have done and apologised several times, pleading that it had not been meant in a malicious or hateful way”.

Baker issued a statement after the meeting, saying it was “unfortunate that, in the 10 days that have elapsed, there has been much that has incorrectly been reported in the media that has magnified the incident to a disproportionate scale”.

He added that he was satisfied with the outcomes at the meeting and feels strongly that there is a “genuine attempt being made by Edenvale High School to address the problem with integrity”.

Commenting on the meeting, Kahn told Jewish Report: “We met to clarify what took place and discuss the way forward. It was confirmed that at least one Edenvale learner had made offensive comments at the event, for which he has since expressed sincere remorse.”

Kahn also said she believed the meeting was constructive and they were in particular encouraged by the principal’s commitment for his learners to participate in tolerance and sensitivity training with the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre. 

“Furthermore, we appreciated his condemnation of anti-Semitism and apology regarding the incident.”

Kahn stressed that while chants of “Heil Hitler” and similar acts of identification with the ideology of Nazism were unacceptable under any circumstances, they were especially hurtful when the intention was to bait and insult Jewish people.

She added: “As was well known, Nazi tyranny had resulted in the systematic mass murder of some three-quarters of European Jewry during the Second World War. For that reason, Jews found it deeply hurtful, and indeed threatening, to be confronted with crass taunts expressing support for the Nazi ideology.

“The SAJBD welcomes Edenvale High’s unequivocal condemnation of the incident. It further appreciates the willingness shown by the school to implement appropriate measures aimed at sensitising its learners to the importance of avoiding behaviour likely to cause hurt and offence, whether on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity or any other such grounds.”