The Orthodox Jewish high school in New Jersey that senior presidential advisor Jared Kushner attended reportedly told students to thank President Trump
for deciding to relocated the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
from Tel Aviv. Rabbi David Sher sent Frisch School students a template
email expressing gratitude to the president, and encouraged students who
"believe that the president made the right decision" to sign it,
according to Haaretz.
"President Trump, you have
displayed leadership and strength among the nations by formally
recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Israel,"
the template letter said, according to Haaretz. "We appreciate
your commitment to follow the wishes of the American people and your
faithful service as our nation's leader. We are grateful for your
unwavering support of Israel, America's greatest ally."
Many parents objected to the letter, with one of them telling Haaretz that
it was an attempt by the school to "normalize" Trump's presidency. The
school's principle, Rabbi Eli Ciner, soon sent a follow-up email to
students clarifying that signing the letter "is entirely voluntary and
should be done only if you agree with President Trump.” But in a
subsequent email to Haaretz, he defended the decision to send the template letter to students.
The blood curse refers to a New Testament passage from the Gospel of Matthew, which describes events taking place in Pilate's court before the crucifixion of Jesus and specifically the apparent willingness of the crowd to accept liability for Jesus' death.
Matthew 27:24–25 reads:
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man’s blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility!' All the people answered, 'His blood is on us and on our children!' (Greek: Τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ἡμῶν)
