Investigation into East Brunswick County Yearbook mishap continues

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The superintendent of the East Brunswick School District confirmed that the investigation into the yearbook photo controversy will continue through Thursday.

In the 2024 edition of the high school yearbook, the original photo of Jewish students belonging to the Jewish Students Union Club was replaced with a picture of Muslim students. The names of Jewish students are also missing.

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Valeski also used the opportunity to apologize to the Muslim community for the photo failure.

“As I have already mentioned the impact on our Jewish students and families today, I would also like to extend my sincere apologies to our Muslim students and families. I realize that the image published in the yearbook caused pain to our Muslim students, and for that I am deeply sorry,” Valeski said.

“We work every day to create an inclusive school environment for all EB students, but I realize that we have to make new efforts every day to make this happen.”

The incident was brought to light by Mayor Brad Cohen, who issued a press release on Wednesday.

Cohen called the incident a “blatant anti-Semitic act” and called on school officials to investigate the case and bring the accused to justice.

According to the mayor, the school district must now clarify how the incident occurred, who was responsible, who signed that page of the yearbook, whether the error was on the part of the publisher and how the perpetrators will be held accountable.

“Hate has no place in Bast Brunswick and anti-Semitism will not be tolerated,” Cohen said.

Responding to the mayor’s press release, Valeski said he was “devastated and frustrated” and apologized for the “pain, suffering and anguish” it had caused to students and their families.

The superintendent also urged the public not to make hasty judgments before the investigation is completed.

“We do not tolerate bias and investigate all reported anti-Semitism. My investigation is ongoing. I will engage outside resources to assist with the investigation. We do not know all the facts, but I will report back to the community as soon as I have them,” Valesi said.

“I urge the East Brunswick community, with whom I have had a good relationship for a decade, to give me the opportunity to determine the cause, and I simply ask that individuals and organizations not be so quick to judge.”

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