Nothing is more heartbreaking than having to explain senseless hate to your child. Regardless of race or religion, at some point, we’re all forced to look our sweet babies in the face and explain that not everyone in this world has good intentions for who they — and their friends — are. I can’t help but feel a heartbreaking rage over it. How dare these types of people rob our kids of even one day of their precious innocence and optimism?
That’s exactly what a group of El Rodeo Elementary School parents in Beverly Hills now have to do, as they try to explain how — and why — a hateful man placed a hateful symbol outside their children’s school.
Security cameras captured footage of an unknown man drawing a swastika on the pavement, discovered September 22, 2025, the first day of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, KCAL reported.
“This hateful symbol was visible just steps away from a campus where students, staff, and families arrive to learn and feel safe,” the school district explained in a statement, per the Los Angeles Times. “Antisemitism is not abstract. It is real, and it continues to show up in ways that are meant to intimidate. We want to be clear: hate of any kind is not acceptable. Above all, we remain committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, seen, and supported every day.”
Although the swastika has been removed, the district noted that over the years it has improved campus safety, increased surveillance, and provided in-depth training on how to respond to emergencies.
“Every student deserves to come to school without fear,” Superintendent Alex Cherniss said, per KCAL. “Our district will act with transparency, responsibility, and care when hate harms our community. Your safety is our top priority.”
According to the Times, the police have increased patrols around Jewish places of worship as the community observes the High Holy Days. The Times also reported that Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian claimed the swastika had been drawn “several weeks ago” and was only recently flagged by someone in the community, though no other outlet has independently verified that detail.
“As the High Holy Days approach, BHPD works diligently to ensure the protection of our community and has increased patrols around houses of worship during this time,” Nazarian said. “We stand in unity against hate, discrimination, and antisemitism. Never again is now.”
My only hope is that this small but poignant act of hate can be used to “radicalize” these families and children — not with bitterness but with purpose. Let it inspire them to go forth and build communities where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or creed, feels welcomed and safe.
