these kids are young and if the school doesn't make a big deal about it, they'll do something similar when they are older. could you imagine a "hit a jew" day in high school? that might turn pretty ugly, especially in missouri. its a way of nipping future racist actions in the butt. hopefully some of the kids will think about their actions and realize its not really funny to constantly joke about race and religion.
that said, I have a friends from back in high school that I run into from time to time. When we were growing up they would always spit out stupid racial slurs to our other friends. it was pretty funny the first few times, but eventually grew into such an annoying habit. I understand that some of you kids are like this and what you should realize is that even though you are just playing with your friend, you are really putting a label on that person in the back of your mind; friend or not.
also imagine being a jewish kid and a group of your friend gangs up on your because its hit a jew day. your parents have explained to you that people have hated jews and you never thought that would happen to you in your lifetime. However, your own friends decide its funny to punch you because your jewish. it'd feel a little helpless and laugh it off, because i would have wanted to still be friends.
you white kids say that you wouldn't mind a "hit the white kid" day, but imagine if you went to a school that was all black people and mexicans. you were one of the few being hit while everyone else was laughing and having a good time at your expense for an entire day. that'd suck pretty bad.
so, don't just discount this as "some stupid jew mom" over reacting to a middle school situation. it is a serious issue that deserve administration attention. do i think the kids should have been subjected to out of school suspensions....no. that's rewarding them for bad behavior. in-school suspensions that required the kids to write an essay on the horrible actions of the Nazi's would have been nice.