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.

So you think a comment under a post about Jewish cookery or food going about genocide is not anti semetic? Is that correct?

This.

Dear OP, I'm so sorry you have to ask this question, in the UK, in 2025. It's heartbreaking.
What a mess we're in...xx

My daughter has stopped wearing her Star of David to school, mainly because of incessant teacher questions about “Is that a religious symbol? If not, it needs to be removed” (probably twice a day most days), but also because there is an aggressively Islamist clique that has made her feel more and more uncomfortable about even identifying as Jewish. She was finding herself dragged into arguments about Gaza and having to defend herself, as though she was personally responsible. Complaint to school got precisely zero action.

If you see people supporting 'free Gaza ' the percentage chance that this is motivated by antisemitism is minute. Where are you getting this idea?

From my many, many real life experiences since October 7th.

No, I'm not saying wearing that badge makes you antisemetic, I am saying it makes you insensitive and lacking in any critical thinking. Public sector workers have a responsibility to the public to serve without bias or prejudice. This thread was always going to be derailed. It happens every time on this topic.

All of this.

As horrible as this is, children will ALWAYS make fun of something or somebody different. It's an unfortunate fact of being a schoolchild, so I think the question is whether you and he are ready for the inevitable joshing or whether you'd rather hold back until he's older.

Seriously 🙄

Right. The way you quoted a figure suggested it was from a wide reaching, evidence based piece of research.
It's your subjective experience.
And I think you're the person that thinks the NHS is full of antisemites because some practitioners wear badges urging the end of the occupation in Gaza.
You will have to forgive me for viewing this as a bit unreliable.

You could say the same about religious symbols. I agree people should not display their political
leanings, but religious symbols can also be political. If I went for an abortion, I would not like my GP to sit on front of me with a massive cross around their necks as I would assume certain things about them. Keep religious symbols out of schools and public life. It creates divisions.

It's exactly what I meant. When I wrote my pithy post I didn't realise that it could be mistrued as antisemitic. I thought my username makes my religion obvious.

This thread is eyeopeningly shocking!

I have a question - why aren't the 'free Palestine' protesters carrying signs / wearing t-shirts / badges saying

'Free Palestine from Hamas '

Exactly. It really is common sense! I feel for the OP's plight and the fact her thread has been hijacked. For people who say they are compassionate, they really do come crashing in with no thought other than their own beliefs. Clumsy, inconsiderate and most definitely lacking empathy at the other end of the spectrum.

WTF

YANBU. But what a tragic indictment of our society today.

Definitely talk to him about it though, and the school.

You've probably got a point, but that begs the question why the need for Jewish Schools (or any faith schools) in the UK? Clearly enough people agree with the pp's position or they wouldn't exist.

I didn't quote a figure and your second accusation is wrong too.

You asked where the idea came from and I told you.

Yes it is my experience, not subjective though, unless you believe statements like ' they deserved everything they got on October 7th' and claims that the atrocities of October 7th never happened could be counted as not anti-Semitic, I'd be surprised if my experiences are outliers though, they come from two countries of the UK.

Where are you getting your non-subjective and quantified data from, btw?

Odd you have that reaction to cross and in situation w abortion … I don’t see the conflict that you do with a GP, Christian doctor, Catholic … doesn’t mean they are against abortion.

Absolutely this.

The OP didn't post anything about Palestine. She posted about not wanting her son to be visibly Jewish because she is afraid of antisemitism.

The OP and her son are not the Israeli government, they're not involved in the conflict in Palestine, they're just ordinary Jewish people in the UK trying to go about their lives and practise their religion without being persecuted.

If you feel the need to drop Palestine into the conversation you're as good as saying that antisemitism is to be expected because of what's going on in Palestine.

I take they never chant "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" at whatever events you attend then? Because what they're saying there is that they want to get rid of all of Israel and make it Palestine.

If no one is chanting that and they're actually just wanting a two state solution then you're fine and this Zionist Jew would march alongside you 👍🏻

Nah. France has one rule for the Muslims and Jews, and a completely different rule for the Catholics.

How so?

Maybe you don’t, but I do. If I was in this situation (just an example) I would not want to be faced with a massive cross in my face. I am all for people believing whatever they want, but a secular society.
Even more so when it comes to little kids.

Erm you asked me to explain why people do this, so I did twice. I didn't not indicate whether I though this antisemitic.

The act of scatter gun targeting Jewish content in the assumption that Jews must be in support of Israel's actions could be interpreted as anti semitic, because it is an assumption about a person's beliefs based on their religion/ethnicity.

Sharing upsetting pictures of what is happening in Gaza, not antisemitic. It's a legitimate way to raise awareness of what is happening.

What is your view on this, out of interest?