Hitler appears in baby photos section of New Jersey middle school

East Brook Middle School in Paramus, New Jersey, is investigating an incident where Adolf Hitler was featured in the student baby photos section of its yearbook. School Principal Ryan Aupperlee condemned the inclusion in a letter to the community, stating that an image of Hitler has no place in a yearbook and does not represent the school's values. The school is coordinating with law enforcement on the investigation.

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Adolf Hitler represents hatred, antisemitism, and the horrors of the Holocaust, including the murder of six million Jews. An image of him has no place in a yearbook created for our students. It does not reflect who we are or what East Brook stands for, and we condemn its inclusion without reservation.

The yearbooks were recalled the same day they were distributed, before students left for the day. Paramus Public Schools Superintendent Sean Adams said the school is working with the yearbook company to find a solution that allows for the removal of the offensive content while preserving students' personalized messages. The investigation is ongoing, and student details remain confidential.

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We are working with the yearbook company to develop a solution that will allow us to redistribute the yearbooks after removing the offensive content while still allowing students to retain the handwritten, personalized messages their classmates and teachers had already written in their yearbooks.

This incident occurs amid a rise in antisemitism allegations in New Jersey schools. In 2024, the US Department of Education began investigating Teaneck Public Schools due to parental claims of an antisemitic climate. Additionally, teachers at Fort Lee High School faced criticism for a lesson that described Hamas as a "Palestinian political party and armed resistance movement."

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I’m not rushing to judgment, but again, if I know that it’s a minor, I want consequences. If I know that’s an adult, I want consequences.

Last year, a New Jersey high school yearbook also faced backlash when a photo of the "Jewish Student Association" was replaced with one of a Muslim student group. Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, called the latest incident "shocking to the core" and demanded accountability, while Paramus Mayor Chris DiPiazza condemned the act, stating it does not reflect the town.

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Any examples, like yesterday’s, does not reflect Paramus.