Palm Springs–area school ends ‘Beat the Jew’ game

Seven seniors at a high school in La Quinta, near Palm Springs, were suspended for three to five days for participating in a game called “Beat the Jew” in which losers were subjected to “incineration” or “enslavement,” a school administrator said.

The game involved some students playing the role of Nazis who blindfolded and dropped off other students playing Jews who must find their way back to the campus, said Sherry Johnstone, assistant superintendent of personnel for Desert Sands Unified School District.

Some of the suspended students were not permitted to graduate, but the school would not provide any specific information citing student confidentiality.

The game was promoted online, attracting about 40 students. Seven showed up to play one evening in the campus parking lot, Johnstone said. — ap