TENAFLY, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey town is partnering with a Jewish, human rights organization for more Holocaust education after a fifth-grade student dressed up as Adolf Hitler for a history project.
The assignment for a fifth-grade class at Maugham Elementary School in Tenafly asked students to write a report on a historical figure and give a presentation to their peers.
One student chose to do his report on Hitler, the Nazi dictator of Germany who oversaw the genocide of roughly 6 million Jews. And when it came time to present the project, the student also came to school dressed as the dictator.
Officials note that the student was not reprimanded, and the essay portion of the project hung in the school’s hallway for several weeks, purportedly glorifying the Nazi leader.
Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna says they cannot change what happened, but the town will now be partnering with the Simon Wiesenthal Center to boost education.
“Rather than arguing over what should and should not be said, we’re using this situation as an opportunity to understand and learn from individuals who experienced the Holocaust first-hand,” Zinna said.
Among those who will tell their stories is Holocaust survivor Mark Schonwetter, who says he is disappointed that the project was allowed to move forward, but is not surprised.
“This is not the first time I came across a situation similar to this one,” he said.
Schonwetter says he doesn’t blame the student and instead, criticizes the teacher and school for not educating the children.
“You cannot expect that kid to know everything, he's too young,” he said. “I think it's the responsibility of the teachers to teach the proper way – the history.”
He says Holocaust education should start in the first grade and believes the best way to do so is by having Holocaust survivors like himself come to talk to children about their experiences.
Schonwetter plans to tell his story of survival at an event at the school on July 12.
Zinna says he is disappointed by the fifth-grade project, but notes the school has always worked to educate students about the horrors of the Holocaust and this was a one-off situation.
“I think the curriculum in the school is absolutely fabulous,” the mayor said. “I think this was an unfortunate isolated incident.”
The fifth-grade teacher, who is Jewish, and the school’s principal have both been placed on paid leave.