By Kenneth Bandler
NEW YORK — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) New England Office deplores the anti-Semitic chants during a local high school basketball game, and expresses confidence that the Catholic Memorial High School will address this deeply unfortunate incident. During the game in Boston between Newton North High School and Catholic Memorial High School, some Catholic fans chanted “You killed Jesus.”
The Catholic school leadership reacted immediately, reprimanding students after the game. “Each student personally apologized to the Principal of Newton North High School and shook his hand before leaving the arena,” the school announced in a statement. “Incidents like this underscore that anti-Semitism persists. We are gratified, however, that the Catholic Memorial High School principal took immediate and firm action,” said Robert Leikind, AJC’s New England Regional Director, and Regional President Mel Shuman.
“Cardinal O’Malley and the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston have been deeply committed to the fight against anti-Semitism. This is a teachable moment and we are confident that our friends in the Catholic community will make it just that.”
On March 10th, Cardinal O’Malley addressed more than 700 people at an event at Temple Emanuel in Newton sponsored by AJC and ADL to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate. This document was promulgated by the Catholic Church to promote understanding between the faiths and address anti-Semitic teachings that had fueled anti-Semitism for nearly two millennium.
In his address, Cardinal O’Malley affirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to continuing the fight against anti-Semitism and the effort to strengthen Catholic-Jewish amity. In a statement issued by Catholic Memorial High School, President Peter F. Folan commented that, “We have been the subject of hurtful chants as well and we will work diligently within our community and with other schools to end this abhorrent behavior.”
AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.
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Bandler is director of media relations for the American Jewish Committee