To stop my son from presenting as Jewish at school

[Wonderberry]

I really wish this wasn't the case.

My son wants to wear his kippah (skullcap) at school. This is entirely his choice, and something that he has chosen to start wearing recently. He just wants to express his religious and cultural background.

Unfortunately, I don't feel like he would be safe to do so. I hate that this is where we are at currently in the UK, but I know it is the reality. He goes to a community school in London, and doesn't understand why he cannot wear his kippah at school. On cultural days, he also cannot share his culture either.

My point was a response to your comment that somehow I was blaming Jewish people I wasn’t.

What a terrible attitude.

A child in a British school should be safe. It doesn't matter their background, faith or lack of, disability, sex, etc etc.

I was brought up in a northern town where different communities live different lives, I much prefer where I am now which is multicultural.

Oh and some Jewish schools are popular with parents who are not Jewish.

https://www.thejc.com/family-and-education/jewish-school-with-muslim-majority-ranked-outstanding-for-jewish-studies-amhjeqss

You attitude belongs in the past.

It’s been on the news a lot. There’s been a rise in Islamophobic and anti-semetic reported crimes. What can we as individuals do about it? I suppose not engage with divisive comments on mum’s net might be one thing I could consider.
I hope the original OP and her son agree on the way forward.

During those awful riots last summer some people thought it was okay to publish lies on the Internet encouraging violence and murder against innocent people. Some of those people are now in prison so basically though I agree with you in principle I also think those who incite violence are responsible.

I didn’t say that.

You said antisemitism is rising because of Gaza. I disagreed and said people will look for any reason to hate Jews, and blame things on Jews, it just happens to be Gaza.

Im just thing to understand the relevance of Gaza when it comes to antisemitism against British Jews?

I am really sorry to read this op but not shocked and I would in your position be very worried

It is just not acceptable that antisemitism is being swept under the carpet and justified and this is absolutely happening, and has always happened but has stepped up

OP I'm saddened and furious that you have to worry about this in Britain in 2025. What have we become?

I'd discourage your son from wearing his kippah for the same reason that I'd discourage my daughter from wearing a short skirt: it risks attention that they're not equipped to deal with and therefore makes them vulnerable. It's not fair, they should be able to wear whatever they want. They shouldn't have to modify their behaviour because of violence. But we have a duty to keep our kids safe until they can do that for themselves and parents are better placed to judge risk. Its outrageous that you have to consider this when it comes to a kippah.

Because we're 12 pages in and the op hasn't been back since page 1. They dropped a hot topic but didn't participate in the debate.

Why is that?

Why segregate?

Because of the teachings? Because of safety?

The OP is a regular poster and has posted about her religion and experiences of antisemitism before.

Also she’s maybe busier than we all are

Not giving answers to question. A hallmark of someone who doesn’t want to have a real discussion about antisemitism. Colour me shocked.

The saddest thing? Really? 😳

You don’t think a young boy at risk of violence because of his faith and race is sad? It warrants a “really” and an emoji?

I am not Jewish and I have found this thread really distressing to read. Does it not occur to you that maybe OP has found the awful comments and anti-Semitism displayed by posters on this thread really upsetting and has decided to walk away for that reason? She was already fearful for her child about anti-Semitism and then she has to face it on a thread to started about her fears. This thread is living proof of why she is right to be worried.

I've just popped back to the thread and within 20 seconds reported a post on here for the old anti-Semitic trope that Jews across the world are all in a big conspiracy to control things.

Yeah, because segregated education has gone really well here in NI🙄

It’s pretty horrifying that in 2025, 80 years after the end of the Second World War and the liberation of the Nazi death camps, Britain’s Jews, including children, are frightened of being identified as Jews.

A stain on our society and our country.

I know right? Some posters here are utterly despicable.

The rise in antisemitism is awful. I wish wearing a kippah wasn't even a momentary concern, nor a Magen David. A child should never have to weigh up the risks of wearing harmless cultural and religious symbols. Actually, scratch that- nobody should have to weigh up those risks. In a just world, those risks wouldn't exist.

I know saying this as a white culturally-Christian atheist is incredibly privileged, but I think a lot of pro-Palestine supporters have lost sight of the fact that the Israeli government and Jewish people are not synonymous. I hate that simply existing as a Jewish person has become increasingly politicised; I know how that feels and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It is one thing to criticise the Israeli government and their actions, but that critique should never be allowed to transmute into bullying, discrimination and antisemitism. I say that as a broadly pro-Palestine, pro-two-state-solution leftist; activist spaces as a whole need to take a firm stance and disavow and disallow any antisemitic sentiment.

I wish I could give some sort of advice, but it's not my place and I fear all I can offer is sympathy.

I'm not Jewish either and totally agree with you.

Why is that shocking? Everyone was supporting Ukraine and that was okay but it's controversial to support Palestine when what is happening there is a much larger scale and much worse. Go to any pro Palestine march, Jewish people are welcome, there are so many Jewish people for palestine, Holocaust survivors etc. MOST pro Palestine supporters are anti ZIONISM not anti semetic

I explain to people over and over again that it's not the same thing - being Jewish and being Israeli and being pro-Netanyahu and feelings about babies dying in horrific ways... these are all separate things and separate experiences.

Similarly I don't blame the Christians here in the UK for the crazy Nationalist Christian people back in the states (where I grew up). I don't blame my daughter's Muslim friends for the Taliban. It's really important to know the difference. But unfortunately (and back to my point earlier), this isn't at all what is happening in real life and we can only react to actual experiences.

My lived reality is that it is either unpleasant or unsafe to be out in the world as a visible Jew and I would not recommend it for a child.

So Jewish people are inciting violence?

My workplace is filled with pro Palestine stuff and - crucially - anti Israel stuff which verges into antisemitic (but not always of course). The chanting 'from the river to the sea', lots of destroyed Israeli flags on lamp posts and such, calls to 'kick out' Israeli staff and students. Etc etc etc.

Our Russian students also haven't had a great few years.

I so sorry you have to deal with this. Unfortunately you need to explain to your son how awful people can be so if he still wants to express his culture and religion at school he is fully aware of the risks he is taking and the hate he could receive. Also speak to the school about your concerns.