Two days ago, the administration of my Jewish high school persuaded many students not to participate in the national “Walkout” called for by the Women’s March to protest rampant gun violence because of the alleged anti-Semitism of certain leaders of the Women’s March. And we agreed.
SAR attracts an ideologically diverse student body, enrolling liberal Upper West Side and Bronx Jews as well as hard-right Republicans from Westchester and New Jersey suburbs. Together, we planned a non-partisan program that focused on commemoration and gun-violence rather than actual solutions, including both kids whose parents own guns and kids whose parents refuse to buy them toy “Nerf guns” for Chanukah.
As a Modern Orthodox Jewish high school, SAR is sensitive to left-wing anti-Israel sentiments, especially those espoused by Linda Sarsour, one of the Women’s March leaders that called for the nationwide walkout.