Prestigious Latin School of Chicago Investigates Students for Practicing Nazi Song "Erika"

The Latin School of Chicago, a prestigious private K-12 institution in the city's Gold Coast neighborhood known for its rigorous academics and notable alumni (including former First Lady Nancy Reagan and chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. II), is facing fresh backlash over an antisemitism scandal involving middle school students and a Nazi-associated song.

The Latest Incident

In early January 2026, a teacher overheard two middle school students discussing their practice of "Erika," a 1938 German marching song popularized by the Wehrmacht (Nazi Germany's armed forces) during World War II. While the song's lyrics are innocuous (describing a soldier missing his sweetheart amid blooming heather), it's widely synonymous with the Third Reich and Hitler's regime due to its historical use in propaganda and military marches.

The discovery prompted an immediate internal investigation, as outlined in a letter from Head of School Thomas Hagerman and Interim Middle School Division Director Kathleen Meade to parents.The school emphasized in the letter: "Latin does not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate. In addition to undertaking disciplinary action, Latin has and will continue to offer support to any students affected by this incident." They added that the episode should serve as a "reminder of our shared responsibility to continue nurturing our School’s strong sense of inclusion and belonging." However, specifics on the disciplinary measures or the number of students involved remain undisclosed, and the school has declined further comment.

This isn't the first brush with "Erika" at Latin School. In November 2024, middle school band members reportedly performed the same song, which deeply upset Jewish families and fueled perceptions of an unsafe atmosphere. That incident was part of a pattern of alleged antisemitic behavior, including claims of students spreading rumors that Jewish peers were responsible for COVID-19 outbreaks and other harassment.

The school also has a troubled history with bullying and discrimination. In 2022, 15-year-old student Nate Bronstein died by suicide after allegedly enduring severe cyberbullying and antisemitic taunts; his parents filed a $100 million lawsuit against the school, accusing administrators of ignoring the issues. Six of the 10 counts were dismissed in March 2025 but the remaining allegations remain, amplifying calls for an independent investigation into racism, antisemitism, and bullying. Other reported incidents include a cross-country team member yelling "Run, Jew, run, there's money at the end" at a Jewish teammate, and band students playing the banned Nazi anthem "Horst-Wessel-Lied" in spring 2024.

Parents and critics, including through groups like Buckets Over Bullying, have accused the administration and board of trustees of downplaying these problems for years, prioritizing the school's reputation over student safety. Some Jewish families have pulled their children or pushed for reforms, with one parent-led effort even launching a new Jewish high school in Chicago amid rising antisemitism concerns in local institutions.