“You won’t believe what my child’s teacher said about Israel and Jews.”
“Why is my child’s math teacher talking about Gaza?”
“Is this material appropriate for kindergarten?”
“Why is it that every time our school talks about Jews, it’s either about Hanukkah or the Holocaust? Don’t they know there’s more to being Jewish than that?”
In WhatsApp chats, in synagogue lobbies, and around the dinner table, we (two educators with many decades of experience between us, and each with teenage children of our own) are hearing the same concerns from parents, again and again: They are worried about the rise in antisemitism, feel unequipped to support their children and teens, especially in the face of bias and misinformation on social media, and feel that school leadership in public and independent schools isn’t always able to adequately respond to incidents in schools.. Even strong, well intentioned teachers struggle to find historically accurate, age-appropriate materials.
And all of that is just in school. Outside of that somewhat controlled setting, students describe the antisemitic images, videos and memes they see on social media, which their friends and classmates may forward or hurtfully comment on. Despite coming of age with the rise of the internet, many of today’s parents and educators are unprepared to help today’s teens navigate their 24/7 digital lifestyles, don’t have the tools to answer questions about nuanced Jewish topics.
As a result, parents fear the messages their children and their classmates receive about being Jewish are filled with biased viewpoints and fail to reveal the rich tapestry of Jewish life, such as Jewish contributions to American society, literature, and music or the diversity of Jewish experience globally. It is urgent that we address these concerns, supporting teachers, parents, and students through trustworthy resources.
Resetting the narrative
Jewish American Heritage Month, which takes place in May, is an opportunity to reset the narrative about Jews that our students, teachers, and parents see on social media, hear about in school, and experience in the world around them. We know that teachers and school administrators care about their students and want them to feel safe and seen in school, while learning in an age-appropriate and factual way about a variety of topics. But we also know that teachers might not have discretionary time to do the kind of research that ensures accuracy and nuance.
That is why the Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning’s new resource portal is so vital. Now educators (and families) can access timely professional development, consulting, and trusted K-12 resources from a range of content providers to help explore the Jewish experience, Israel, and antisemitism—accurately, intentionally, and appropriately.
As educators ourselves, we know that advance planning can be the best support in an ever-changing and busy classroom and busy world. The resource portal allows teachers to access information to inform their teaching before something happens in the school, and to create a foundation for teaching about Jews and Judaism that will contribute to a thriving community free of antisemitism. These carefully constructed, balanced, and nuanced lessons provide clear information grounded in multiple perspectives. With proactive planning and these classroom-ready resources, educators can create inclusive environments where Jewish students feel safe, seen, and supported, and where learning for all students is grounded in accuracy and nuance.
Beyond encouraging our fellow educators to tap into this resource, if you are a student or a parent, we ask you to share it with your teachers and school leaders. In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, and in this year celebrating 250 years of our dedication to freedom of religion, join us in supporting our children and strengthening our school communities.
Dr. Saul Kaiserman is Emeritus Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, a freelance consultant, and a former member of the board of trustees of The Jewish Education Project. Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal is the Senior Director of Youth and Family Education at Central Synagogue and a current member of the board of The Jewish Education Project.
The Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning provides K-12 resources that educators and students can use to explore the Jewish experience and contribute to thriving communities free of antisemitism. The Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning is a division of The Jewish Education Project.