Anti-Semitism at a High School in California

[Sent to Alan Van Velzen, principal of Amador High School in Sutter Creek, CA.]

Dear Mr. Van Velzen:

Are you aware of the article in the Courthouse News Service about you and Amador High School?

The Courthouse News Service reports that a Jewish student at your school, the son of Molly Zysman, has been repeatedly verbally and physically abused and that school authorities have turned a blind eye at best and participated in the abuse at worst.  The article focuses on repeated allusions to the Holocaust such as a planned school play called Hitler Youth and a swastika painted on Zysman’s son’s locker.  The article also describes a moment when Zysman’s husband complained to you personally about the abuse directed at his son and to which you allegedly responded that you “can only take care of one of your son’s crises at a time.”

As I am sure you can imagine, articles like this do not look good for Ambrose High School or for yourself.  I did a Google search for “Alan Van Velzen” and found the Courthouse News Service article as the third page Google listed.  This can be remedied.

I noticed that Hitler Youth is not listed on Amador High School’s drama schedule website.  Is it possible that the Courthouse News Service article is inaccurate? Can you explain your alleged behavior during the time when Zysman’s husband complained to you? Is there more to this story than what was reported?

Thanks in advance,

G.H.
Sherman Oaks, CA