Yearbook controversy over photo of Jewish Student Union at New Jersey high school under investigation

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – In East Brunswick, New Jersey, an investigation is underway into a yearbook controversy that some have called anti-Semitic.

This week, about 700 seniors at East Brunswick High School received their yearbooks. The section for student groups was conspicuously missing the names of members of the Jewish Student Union, and instead of a picture of the Jewish student group, the yearbook featured a picture of a group of Muslim students.

Victor Valeski, superintendent of East Brunswick School, says an investigation is already underway to find out what happened. He confirmed that the problem was indeed on the school’s side and not the publisher’s fault.

“But at the moment I don’t see anything that indicates a deliberate act. But I don’t rule it out until we have completed the investigation,” he said.

Officials are examining the digital footprint of the yearbook’s creation to find out what happened and make sure it never happens again.

The Jewish Student Union sent CBS New York a statement saying, in part, that “the removal of Jewish students will not be tolerated,” adding that the group eagerly awaits the results of the superintendent’s investigation.

The community’s backlash was not long in coming. The mayor described the publication of the yearbook as a blatant anti-Semitic act.

“The types of content changes and omissions we are seeing may seem at first glance to be intentional and malicious. But since we don’t know all the facts, they could at least be negligent,” said Lisa Karasic of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey.

The district will cover the cost of correcting that one page in each yearbook — about $1,000 in total. Officials say students can expect a replacement in 7 to 10 days.

If needed, the high school offers counseling to any student upon request.