Catholic school sued by Jewish teacher who ‘had to stare at a Swastika every day’
A West Orange man says that St. Joseph Regional High School did nothing to stop anti-Semitism he endured while teaching there -- then fired him when he complained about it.
Jacob Rabinowitz filed a lawsuit Dec. 4 in federal court in Newark accusing the school of religious discrimination, unlawful retaliation and creating a hostile work environment. Named as defendants were the all-boys high school located in Montvale and the Archdiocese of Newark, which oversees the school.
“The issues involve a first-year teacher who did not raise any complaints about anything until after he received a less-than-satisfactory evaluation,” Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the diocese said. "It is important to note, however, that the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) reviewed Mr. Rabinowitz’s complaint earlier this year and advised him that it was unable to conclude that the school violated any federal statutes.“
The nine-page complaint says that Rabinowitz was hired to teach pre-calculus for the 2017-2018 school year. The anti-Semitism began on the first day of class, the lawsuit says.
The classroom that Rabinowitz shared with two other teachers had a swastika carved into the blackboard. Students, for several weeks of the school year, threw coins at Rabinowitz whenever his back was turned, “An obvious reference to Jewish stereotypes,” the lawsuit says. A student told the class that his favorite scene of Schindler’s List was a scene involving the gruesome murder of a Jewish woman, which he acted out in the classroom. And one student wrote on his desk, “sechs millionen waren nur der anfang,” which means “six million was just the beginning.”
“The conduct he was subjected to was not kids being kids but conduct highly offensive to a Jewish individual who had to stare at a swastika every day,” said Justin Santagata, an attorney for Rabinowitz.
Rabinowitz also alleges that St. Joseph gave him inferior teaching materials -- a 30-year-old text book and no “smart board,” and other teachers received better equipment.
Then came his performance review, which was scheduled for a day in February 2018, when students were solely preparing for a test the next day. Rabinowitz was given a negative review and told he did not engage the students.
When Rabinowitz wrote a response, the week of March 20, he “recited a litany of anti-Semitic and other discriminatory behavior he experienced.”
St. Joseph Principal Michael Bruno, according to the lawsuit, told Rabinowitz that the students' anti-Semitic and other discriminatory behavior “seems to be a direct reflection of your inability to manage a classroom.”
Then, on March 29, Rabinowitz was told, in writing, that he would not be employed the following school year. The notice was given to him much earlier than the April 25 deadline the teachers' bargaining agreement requires.
The swastika, meanwhile, was not removed from Rabinowitz’s classroom until April 23.
Rabinowitz is asking for compensatory and punitive damages, damages for emotional distress, attorneys fees and any other relief the court deems just. He also is seeking a jury trial.
NJ.COM
Jacob Rabinowitz filed a lawsuit Dec. 4 in federal court in Newark accusing the school of religious discrimination, unlawful retaliation and creating a hostile work environment. Named as defendants were the all-boys high school located in Montvale and the Archdiocese of Newark, which oversees the school.
“The issues involve a first-year teacher who did not raise any complaints about anything until after he received a less-than-satisfactory evaluation,” Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the diocese said. "It is important to note, however, that the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) reviewed Mr. Rabinowitz’s complaint earlier this year and advised him that it was unable to conclude that the school violated any federal statutes.“
The nine-page complaint says that Rabinowitz was hired to teach pre-calculus for the 2017-2018 school year. The anti-Semitism began on the first day of class, the lawsuit says.
The classroom that Rabinowitz shared with two other teachers had a swastika carved into the blackboard. Students, for several weeks of the school year, threw coins at Rabinowitz whenever his back was turned, “An obvious reference to Jewish stereotypes,” the lawsuit says. A student told the class that his favorite scene of Schindler’s List was a scene involving the gruesome murder of a Jewish woman, which he acted out in the classroom. And one student wrote on his desk, “sechs millionen waren nur der anfang,” which means “six million was just the beginning.”
“The conduct he was subjected to was not kids being kids but conduct highly offensive to a Jewish individual who had to stare at a swastika every day,” said Justin Santagata, an attorney for Rabinowitz.
Rabinowitz also alleges that St. Joseph gave him inferior teaching materials -- a 30-year-old text book and no “smart board,” and other teachers received better equipment.
Then came his performance review, which was scheduled for a day in February 2018, when students were solely preparing for a test the next day. Rabinowitz was given a negative review and told he did not engage the students.
When Rabinowitz wrote a response, the week of March 20, he “recited a litany of anti-Semitic and other discriminatory behavior he experienced.”
St. Joseph Principal Michael Bruno, according to the lawsuit, told Rabinowitz that the students' anti-Semitic and other discriminatory behavior “seems to be a direct reflection of your inability to manage a classroom.”
Then, on March 29, Rabinowitz was told, in writing, that he would not be employed the following school year. The notice was given to him much earlier than the April 25 deadline the teachers' bargaining agreement requires.
The swastika, meanwhile, was not removed from Rabinowitz’s classroom until April 23.
Rabinowitz is asking for compensatory and punitive damages, damages for emotional distress, attorneys fees and any other relief the court deems just. He also is seeking a jury trial.
NJ.COM
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