Ohio Coach Resigns Over Team’s Controversial ‘Nazi’ Playcall

(ProsperNews.net) – A high school football coach from Ohio has resigned after his team directed antisemitic slurs at their opponents. Brooklyn High School coach Tim McFarland and his team repeatedly used the word “Nazi” as a play call during a game against Beachwood High School in Cleveland – the population of the suburb of Beachwood is around 90% Jewish.

Brooklyn Schools Superintendent Ted Caleris addressed Mr. McFarland’s resignation and said he had “expressed his deepest regret.” Furthermore, Caleris apologized on the school’s behalf and said “hurtful and harmful speech” would not be tolerated.

The Jewish advocacy group the Anti-Defamation League of Ohio contacted Brooklyn High, having spoken to Beachwood Schools Superintendent Robert Hardis. “This is not the first time Beachwood student-athletes have been subjected to antisemitic and racist speech,” Mr. Hardis said.

Many Jewish organizations warn that antisemitism is increasing in the United States, including in educational institutions. In April, Miriam Plotinsky, an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, wrote, “Incidents of antisemitism are rising in schools nationwide. It has gradually become more socially acceptable to engage in acts against Jews that fall anywhere between exclusion and persecution.”

Plotinsky argues that ignorance is driving the hatred and is often displayed by teachers as well as pupils. She called for more school exploration of the Holocaust and the persecution of Jews throughout history.

Jewish college students have also reported increased hostility toward them on campus in the past few years. In April, the Anti-Defamation League reported a 41% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2022 compared to 2021. The group recorded more than 130 examples at educational institutions throughout the year. Incidents range from antisemitic slurs to expulsion from clubs to Nazi insignia painted on dorm walls.

The Anti-Defamation League conducted an antisemitism audit of the United States in March and found 3,697 instances in 2022 – a 36% increase from 2021. It is the highest figure since the organization began keeping records in 1979.