I am writing regarding an email that was sent out this morning - to students, parents, staff, and the community - from my Principal, Mrs. Deborah Finn. This announcement stated that Principal Finn relayed, in her email, “regardless of what has been posted online, there is no need to “bring back” an event to commemorate the Holocaust at HPHS because it was never canceled,” and I would like to clarify a number of these reports.
I would like to clarify that I did send a private email to Principal Finn last night in the hopes of setting up a time to meet and discuss this crucial matter. However, I did not receive a personal response. Instead, I received an indirect email blast which contained multiple inaccuracies that ultimately undermined the basis of this petition.
There should be no misunderstanding. Principal Finn correctly noted in her email that HPHS will host its annual commemoration on April 24th. This, however, is not the mandatory assembly that students at Highland Park High School attended since it was canceled in 2017. It is, instead, an optional opportunity to visit an exhibit set up in our school library. Holocaust survivors came prepared to share their stories of survival to the few students willing to show up. It truly was an amazing experience and a great honor to speak with these Holocaust survivors - I just wish more students showed up and had the opportunity to be moved by it like I was. Thus, I commend the school for providing an opportunity to speak with survivors, yet, it follows that those students who elected to come to this event are not those most in need of a Holocaust education program.
That is why this petition calls for the reinstatement of the mandatory school-wide assembly. In Principal Finn’s own words, “We always tell students that if they see or hear something that is concerning to let someone at the school know. Regardless of the issue, we will solve problems together most effectively when we are brought into the conversation”. I voiced my concern, and a student on the Holocaust - Awareness committe echoed these frustrations while explaining their attempt to reinstate the assembly, “I’m on the planning committee for Holocaust remembrance day and I’ve been BEGGING the teachers to reinstate the assembly and make it mandatory and they totally won’t listen to me and haven’t since I mentioned at our early meetings in the beginning of sophomore year,” Junior from HPHS (name withheld at the request of the student). The unwillingness by some staff to listen to their student body is why I took action and started the petition for the Mandatory Assembly to be reinstated.
I am saddened to write that I believe we are at a turning point in history. Antisemitism, racial and cultural intolerance are on the rise. From 2015 to present, antisemitic hate crimes have more than doubled. In the past two years, 11 Jews were murdered while at prayer in Pittsburgh, one Jew was killed in a California synagogue, and yet another while celebrating Hanukkah at his Rabbi’s home in New York. But despicable acts of this nature are hardly reserved for Jews; hate crimes in general, are increasing. And if history has taught us anything, it is that how we act and react to these offenses will have consequences for generations to follow.
The assembly for Holocaust Remembrance serves as a doorway to a broader discussion surrounding religious, ethnic, and racial intolerance. Religious and racial bigotry is a disease. Without the medicine that is education, the disease will spread. It has become easier to turn a blind eye to happenings that don’t seem to impact our daily lives. Yet, in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which we all observed just yesterday, we find that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Accordingly, we must speak out - as MLK so courageously did - against prejudice and discrimination in our society.
I refuse to be passive and I know my fellow students share in this conviction. So please join me in my battle against bigotry by sharing this excerpt with family, friends, and all those hopeful for a world without hate. Getting the word out is the best way to make these small changes. I will continue to fight; not only for this community but for the next generation. It is the only way to ensure a brighter and more accepting tomorrow. Thank you for being an upstander. Please feel free to leave a comment below - all input appreciated!
Anna Raab (16), Highland Park High School Class of 2021
As an addendum, I’ve included my initial attempt to contact and meet with Principal Finn:
“Principal Finn,
My name is Anna Raab, and I am a junior at your high school. I started a petition a few days ago, regarding the Mandatory assembly HPHS used to have on Holocaust Memorial Day. This assembly meant a lot to many students, including my three siblings - who still remember the huge impact it had on them to this day. I wish, I too, got the privilege of participating in this assembly. The petition I started, which is linked below, has over a few thousand signatures from people all over the community; I think you should take a look at the comment section, too. I want to make sure that we never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and how notoriously powerful hate can be. If we do not take action now, then who knows what the future may hold. Religious and Racial intolerance is a huge issue in our world today, so we must educate our students to keep them from partaking in this prejudicial behavior. The Holocaust Museum's Director of Education saw my petition and reached out to me, offering the museum's resources to our school. I would like to discuss certain matters pertaining to the assembly (i.e timing, funding, etc.). When would be a good time to meet this week? Have a great day, and thank you for taking the time to read this email.
https://www.change.org/p/principal-deborah-finn-reinstate-hphs-holocaust-memorial-day-assembly
All the best,
- Anna Raab"