ALPERT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE SUPPORTS HISTORIC VOTE BY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY ON DISMISSAL OF WILLIAM LATSON
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – November 6, 2020 – Marc Hopin, CEO of Ferd and Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service, was among the hundreds who addressed the School District of Palm Beach County, in person, before they made their unanimous 7-0 vote Monday to rescind the rehiring of former Spanish River High School Principal William Latson.
Both Hopin and Alpert JFS Board Chair Zelda Mason said they stand strongly in support of the school board’s decision not to reinstate Latson. Echoing what Hopin said to the school board Monday, he added, “There is no safe space for Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism in our school district, and this message needed to be heard by Latson, all school employees as well as all students and their families.”
Alpert Jewish Family Service provides care on a daily basis for hundreds of Holocaust Survivors living in Palm Beach County. Their goal in caring for the survivors, as Hopin said Monday night, is to help them live out their lives “in comfort and with dignity.” In representing so many Holocaust Survivors, Hopin could not sit on the sidelines on the matter of Latson because the former principal had been allowing deniers of the Holocaust to have their children opt out of teachings about the Holocaust, with Latson defending this by telling one parent, “I can’t say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event.”
Mason said, “Alpert JFS applauds the school board for revisiting their previous decision and reversing course in making the right decision now. It was evident from their comments that they took the time to understand why this issue was of such great concern to the community.”
Hopin said that Alpert JFS is looking into additional ways for the area’s Holocaust Survivors to be able to communicate their stories to the regional school systems in a way that can live on, even after the Survivors are no longer with us. “If the issues brought to light from this matter can help us find a way to turn Holocaust denial into Holocaust education- then we will all be better off. And not just for our current children in the schools, but also for the generations to come.”
ABOUT ALPERT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
Established in 1974, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service is a nationally accredited service provider for children, adults, seniors, and Holocaust survivors. The non-profit, non-sectarian organization is a trusted leader, with a team of more than 175 highly skilled professionals delivering high-quality care to community members. Alpert JFS works to ensure the well-being of children and families, independence of older adults and quality-of-life for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit www.AlpertJFS.org or phone 561-684-1991.