Monsey - Orthodox Jews, parents clash over school trespassing

Rockland County, NY - Tensions are again running high in the East Ramapo School District after police were summoned to the Grandview Elementary School in Monsey today to respond to complaints of trespassing by Orthodox Jewish families.

Newsday reports (http://bit.ly/OCd4t2) that local parents say they are justifiably concerned about Jewish strangers accessing the public school and using it as a shortcut to their homes or synagogues during the Jewish holidays. Today marked the first time security guards and parent volunteers were stationed at the school to prevent families from cutting through the premises. Security will be in place for the remainder of the Sukkot holiday.

“My number one concern is the children’s safety outside when they’re at recess,” said Grandview Principal Patricia Smith. “It is a concern when our children are outside and having people other than the school personnel being outside. In this day and age, when we don’t know who’s who, it worries me.”

Ignoring the “no trespassing” sign posted in front of the school, religious Jews continued to cross the playground, resulting in a shouting match between the guards and members of the Jewish community. “At the end of the day, there’s no trespassing,” said Cassandra Edwards, a parent volunteer. “You can walk to the front of the building and you can read it. If it says no trespassing, then all we want is for people to respect that.”

But Esti Grossberger defended use of the shortcut, saying it shortened the walk between her and her parents’ home by half. “They’re camping out and attacking us like wolves,” Grossberger said of the school district. “Why would you do this in the rain when you know we don’t drive on the holidays? Seriously? You’re not getting rid of the Jews.”

One parent volunteer said she was called an anti-Semite when she politely asked a group of Jews not to walk through the playground and to find a different route instead. As the argument between the guards and the religious Jews continued to escalate, police were called to the school and a report was taken. No arrests were made.

Security officers have also been posted at Lime Klin Elementary School in Suffern, Ramapo High School and Kakiat Middle School in Spring Valley, and Elmwood Elementary School in Monsey. Joel Klein, the East Ramapo School Superintendent said the district is working on a plan to resolve the trespassing issue, which may include putting up fencing and additional signage.