Beth Tfiloh leadership is providing new details about the events leading up to the cancellation of a scheduled baseball game against The Park School of Baltimore, following confusion over whether an Israeli flag would be permitted.

In a message to its community, Beth Tfiloh said the situation began when Park’s athletic director relayed a request from a coach asking that the team not bring an Israeli flag to display in the dugout.

Beth Tfiloh’s Head of School, Bracha Rutner, said she contacted Park School leadership to clarify whether this reflected official policy. According to her, Park responded that it did not, and confirmed that Beth Tfiloh would be allowed to display an Israeli flag if it chose.

Following that clarification, Beth Tfiloh decided to move forward with the game while keeping the focus on the students and the spirit of baseball.

However, over the weekend, rumors about the situation began to spread, with conflicting accounts circulating about what had been said and whether the flag would be allowed.

In a separate communication, Park School stated that claims it had banned or prohibited the Israeli flag were “patently untrue,” adding that while it generally discourages flag displays at games, it would have allowed Beth Tfiloh to display one if it chose.

According to Park, the situation escalated after misinformation spread. Following that, the game was ultimately canceled.

Beth Tfiloh acknowledged that the initial request was hurtful given the school’s strong connection to Israel, but emphasized the importance of handling the situation with dignity and maintaining respectful relationships.

Both schools have indicated a desire to move forward and preserve their longstanding relationship.

(Special thanks to Caren Shalom Leven of the Baltimore Zionist District for raising awareness of this issue)