Fair Lawn asked Jewish, Muslim student clubs to alter 'disruptive' displays. Here's why

Jewish and Muslim student clubs at Fair Lawn High School were asked to alter elements of displays deemed "disruptive" at a school fair last week, school officials acknowledged on Monday.

But both the district and Fair Lawn's mayor pushed back on a media report that Jewish students were told to remove yellow ribbons displaying solidarity with hostages captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel.

On Sunday, the New York Post reported the ribbons were "banned" from the Oct. 2 club fair, citing a Fair Lawn parent who said her child attends the school as well as the group StopAntisemitism.

On Monday, in a letter sent to the school community , the district said that report was "inaccurate."

What were students told to remove?

During last week’s fair, the school's Muslim Student Association and Jewish Student Union were “asked to make adjustments to items that had not been part of their original displays,” according to the letter, which was unsigned. It did not specify what the students were asked to change.

“The decision to ask both groups to modify their displays was made in response to the disruptive impact that certain items were having on the learning environment,” stated the letter. “The school did not take any position with regard to certain symbols or items that were added to those clubs’ displays but simply asked both clubs to restore their displays to their original content.”

The letter said that members of both student groups are actively involved in the Anti-Defamation League’s "No Place for Hate" initiative and played a "vital role in fostering dialogue" during the fair.

“However, due to the disruption of the event and heightened emotions surrounding the displays, both groups were reminded to follow the event guidelines to ensure the smooth operation of the Club Fair event,” the letter added.

More: Thousands gather at Bergen memorial to remember victims of Oct. 7 attack

No students were disciplined in connection with the fair, said the district, which added, "the wearing of yellow ribbons by students is permitted."

Fair Lawn mayor pushes back

In a separate message, Mayor Gail Rottenstrich posted on Facebook on Monday about a story "accusing Fair Lawn High School of banning the wearing of yellow ribbons as a symbol of support for the return of the hostages brutally taken from Israel one year ago.” The story was “inaccurately and widely circulated," she said.

Rottenstrich cited the district’s statement and wrote “the yellow ribbon has not been banned, and students wore it today to school without incident and without censure.”

"As toxic antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments and incidents have risen to an all-time high, we need to continue to loudly voice our support for the community and ensure the physical and emotional safety of our residents," Rottenstrich wrote.

But she said “accusations of antisemitism being trafficked are intentionally inflammatory and must be addressed, and I feel it is my moral responsibility to do so as the Mayor of Fair Lawn" and as “a proud Jew.”

While the mayor said she was “not going to specifically address the events of last Wednesday,” she added "the accusations made have been contradicted by Jewish students who were present.”

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com

Twitter: @snoda11

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fair Lawn asked Jewish, Muslim student clubs to alter 'disruptive' displays. Here's why