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.

Many jewish people are the descendants of refugees. My own synagogue has regular asylum seeker drop ins as do most progressive synagogues.

It was also the far right who also wanted to organize a protest outside my son's future nursery as it was on the site of a synagogue. The youngest children they accept are 6 months old. My friend didn't send her baby to childcare that day.

I'm really confused. Is the OP saying she's scared because she lives in an area with lots of Muslims and right now antisemitism is running high because of Netanyahu? So, if there weren't any Muslims, everything would be fine. So, multiculturalism would have been fine if there weren't Muslims included?

So, antisemitism has always been a thing. I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone that. It is worse right now sure because tension is high over Gaza. But making this about Muslims and how they are the cause of all antisemitism is just plain wrong. Was this the point of the post, to whip up some anti Muslim rhetoric?

Disclaimer, I'm not Muslim. Apparently, Muslims don't like me either 😂

Idk how old DS is. Does he understand the context behind why you’re so concerned? Does he understand the events in recent history that have led to this increased risk? I think there’s an age appropriate conversation to be had with DS.

He’s 100% correct, the UK is a country of tolerance and he should be free to safely express his religious and cultural beliefs howsoever he feels fit.
Unfortunately, your concerns are not at all misplaced in the current climate. And I completely understand your concerns as a parent. I think your role is to educate and guide DS, explain the risks and why you are so keen that he doesn’t outwardly show his religion. But ultimately, I think it’s his decision to make, and I admire his courage if he decides to wear his Kippah & proudly.

You must do whatever you feel is right to protect your son with no compromise. That is our job. But I'm so sorry you have too. Xx

You're talking about the child as though he were some possession. Awful post. He is not the problem, his environment is.

This is the saddest thread I've read in a while. I'm sorry OP, I don't have any advice.

This. 😔

When I first heard of it, I used to think the security guards and measures that parents paid to guard (Jewish) state schools was a sign of past trauma. I quickly changed my mind seeing the awful racism faced by Jewish people every day in this country.

OP I’m so sorry but in this climate I’d ask him not to wear it in transit unless you live in a Jewish friendly part of London: Hampstead, Finchley, GG, Whetstone, Stanmore.. What a horrible world we live in.

Disgusting comment. Towards a child as well.

I have the opposite dilemma.

We are Jewish but as I am a convert of east asian heritage, my son is likely not to pass as Jewish in general society (my dh is also the son of a convert though his mum is european).

We live very near an excellent state Jewish primary school but which teaches the children to be proud of being Jewish and Zionist. I do wonder sometimes in the world we are in if this is an asset. This isn't my religious voice speaking but the pragmatic one. Ultimately we all want to protect our children.

Yes, we do. People of all faiths are attacked for wearing their headgear.
Some are even called letterboxes by the leader of a 'tolerant' country

As soon as I saw this thread, I knew the twisting and turning would start, to do anything but face the uncomfortable truth. It's seen also on the Starmer and immigration thread. Appeasement, head in sand tactics by virtue signallers. Faux naivety always rears its head.

Pathetic comment

I live in one of those areas and there are still men in baseball caps walking around. They aren't wearing it cos they like to wear baseball caps, there is a Kippah underneath

No, this is the result of bigoted idiots blaming people for the actions of a government of a country where the majority share their religion, even though they don't live there and don't vote in the elections there. This is the opposite of multiculturalism.

Honestly you're embarrassing yourself

What has that got to do with a child being bullied in the UK?

I wondered when this was coming. Is the CITME board full?

What does this have to do with a little British boy. He has no control over the actions of the Israeli government which many jewish people are opposed to as well.

This thread saddens me, but it also makes me angry. A Jewish boy can't freely wear the symbol of his religion and heritage in the 21st Century UK? That is a serious cause for concern. Alarming . As I go about my day I see all manner of symbols proudly worn by many people, why not a Jewish symbol? If Jewish people are telling the rest of us that this is a problem, and that they are fearful, then we need to listen and listen hard.

Why on earth would you post such a comment? We're talking about a British boy here, still at school. Just think about it.

My Jewish grandfather and his family left Germany to escape from the Nazis.

I find it shocking that we are going back to the bad old days.