From The Banner · Talia Richman · · 1m 50s
Federal complaint alleges MCPS students faced years of antisemitic harassment
A recent Montgomery County Public Schools graduate faced years of antisemitic harassment, including a bomb threat followed by fireworks.
In brief
A recent Montgomery County Public Schools graduate faced years of antisemitic harassment, including a bomb threat followed by fireworks. A federal complaint claims MCPS students endured antisemitic harassment for years, demanding federal investigation and safety measures. Originally reported by The Banner.
Federal complaint filed
A recent Montgomery County Public Schools graduate faced years of antisemitic harassment, including a telephoned bomb threat immediately followed by fireworks outside his home.
“Despite repeated notice of anti-Semitic threats, harassment, and ostracization directed at a visibly Jewish student at Montgomery Blair High School”
Complaint demands federal action
The Title VI complaint filed by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law seeks federal investigation and safety measures for Jewish students.
“the District failed to take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to eliminate the hostile environment, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence”
Jewish leaders call for action
Dozens of local rabbis and cantors sent a letter to Superintendent Thomas Taylor demanding MCPS address skyrocketing school-based antisemitism.
“We are alarmed that the lack of a meaningful response by MCPS has led to an increase in the normalization of antisemitic attitudes, language and behaviors in our schools”
Student's harassment timeline
The student faced accusations of supporting genocide, rumors about joining Israel Defense Forces, and classmates urging shunning him for being a Zionist.
“Fear of confrontation or physical harm caused him to reduce his attendance and leave school early during the final weeks of his senior year”
Senior Assassin incident
During a water gun game, students shared locations to participate in a 'Senior Assassin' game, which the school later said was not sanctioned.
“The school expressed concern, checked on [the student], and said it would look into the incident, but emphasized that Senior Assassin was not school sanctioned”
Bomb threat and fireworks
The student received a call saying, 'You F, -g Zionist, you F, -g Jew. I am going to bomb you,' followed by fireworks outside his home.
“You F, -g Zionist, you F, -g Jew. I am going to bomb you”
School's response
The school checked on the student, initiated safety plans, and conducted check-ins but failed to restore his sense of safety or ability to participate fully in school.
“these measures did not restore [the student’s] sense of safety or ability to participate fully in school”
Ongoing harassment
The student continued to fear confrontation, left school early, and attended as little as possible despite school efforts to protect him.
“He continued to fear confrontation or physical harm, left school early when overwhelmed, and attended as little as possible”
District data on hate incidents
MCPS reported 250 hate bias incidents in 2024-25 and 600 in 2025-2026, with over half targeting Black students and 140 involving antisemitism.
“More than half of the incidents targeted Black students, and roughly 140 involved antisemitism”
The big picture
A federal complaint claims MCPS students endured antisemitic harassment for years, demanding federal investigation and safety measures.
