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The superintendent reversed season-long suspensions for five players accused of taking part in what the advocacy groups called “a horrific antisemitic hazing attack.”
Two Jewish advocacy groups are demanding answers after Smithfield, Rhode Island, school officials reinstated several football players accused of taking part in what they called a “horrific antisemitic hazing attack.”
In a joint statement Thursday, the Jewish Alliance for Greater Rhode Island and the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center condemned the district’s decision to let the players return, calling it a betrayal of the community’s trust and a setback in the fight against antisemitism.
According to the statement, on Oct. 1, five Smithfield High School football players were involved in an antisemitic hazing incident aimed at a Jewish freshman football player.
Adam Greenman, president of The Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island, told NBC 10 WJAR that, from his understanding, the five football team members locked the Jewish freshman in a bathroom, sprayed Lysol, and yelled antisemitic epithets at him.
At the time, Smithfield Public Schools Superintendent Dawn Bartz called it “inappropriate conduct” following an investigation, in a statement to The Boston Globe.
In response, the district suspended the football players from playing on the team for the remainder of the football season.
The two organizations became involved after the incident was reported to a local rabbi and worked with the administration of Smithfield High School and the student’s family to offer support.
But, then on Oct. 22, the freshman player attended practice and found the football players involved in the incident “were dressed and ready to play,” the statement said.
In response to the reversal, Bartz emailed The Providence Journal with a one-sentence statement: “The disciplinary process has concluded, and we will not be discussing details involving students.”
The groups are now asking for a formal apology from the superintendent.
They are also demanding that the district implement professional development for staff and require anti-bias education for the student body.
“Administrators must understand that reversing consequences sends a dangerous message – that such hateful behavior will be tolerated,” the statement said. “Moments like these remind us how vulnerable a minority community can feel.”
The groups say that antisemitism is surging with behaviors once “relegated to the margins” now “creeping into the mainstream.”
“Jewish communities throughout Rhode Island and beyond are experiencing unprecedented waves of bigotry and intimidation,” the statement said.
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