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.

If only you could take your own advice.

There are lots of anti-Islamic comments on another immigration thread…

Surely it can be either?

I know few people would know the specific term for the silver bangles Sikhs wear and loads who confuse hijabs with niqabs, burkhas and “scarves”.

I think a lot of people just simply don’t pay attention to the names of certain religious items and don’t retain the knowledge post school days.

The word "Islamophobia" exists for the same reason that the word "antisemitism" exists: both are very real.

It's perfectly true to say that many people are hostile towards Muslims in the UK. I think most Muslims would agree.

Aren’t you making the same mistake that people are criticised for? Conflating Israeli and Jew. There is no reason “Free Gaza” should be seen as hostile to Jewish people.

I also believe in a two state solution. I think Netenyahu is maniacal and that Hamas are murderous terrorists.

I think lots of people have this view. We are drowned out by extreme voices at either end though.

People are perfectly welcome to object to genocide in other places. A thread started by someone who is not involved in any kind of genocide but fears for her son's safety is not the right place.

Neither is the NHS. Healthcare workers can object to genocide on their own time in their capacity as private individuals.

Good job Wes Streeting disagrees with you.

Where is the war between Jews and Muslims?

It’s a conflict between Israel and Palestine. You are continuously conflating “Jew” with “Israeli” while claiming not to be doing that (ditto conflating “Muslim” with “Palestinian” many of whom are not muslim.)

Tell that to the people who thought it was appropriate to mention Palestine in this thread.

If you work with the public, it isn't appropriate to wear items with political slogans.

I support an independent Palestinian state but I would not allow my staff to wear a "Free Gaza" badge or indeed a pro-Israel badge. People can wear what they like outside of work.

What does Wes Streeting agreeing or disagreeing have to do with the price of goat’s milk?

I am saying it to everybody. But you specifically claimed not to be doing that while continually doing just that.

Although I did not bring the Gaza conflict into the thread, I responded to another poster, this is a public forum of which you are not in charge.

I think there has been an implication upthread that the number of people who attend Free Gaza marches is demonstrative of a threat to Jewish people and that this has led to the worried of the OP. Several people have made an effort to point out that those involved in the protests/marches simply didn't the actions of Israel in Gaza abhorrent and it is not representative of how people feel about Jews, Muslims or any other religious/ethnic group.

That is the link the the OP, as I say I didn't raise it but responded to it. If you feel any of my posts are inappropriate please report them.

You mean apart from listening to concerns from the Jewish community about their treatment in the NHS? Yes because Jews have nothing to fear from Pro Palestinian badges, according to you. I think the Sec of State for HSC is better placed than you to decide that.

This broke my heart. Your poor son, and all of you for having to manage this. I am so sorry.

What you seem to be missing in your analysis is any acknowledgement of the lived experience of Jewish people in the UK. The fact is, there has been a significant increase in the number of antisemitic attacks, and that increase is understandably making the OP anxious about the safety of her 7yo little boy who wants to wear his kippah in public. You can't just dismiss that lived experience because it doesn't suit your narrative.

And while you may well be right that most of the people on the marches bear no ill will towards Jewish people and merely want to express their distress about the horrific situation in Gaza, you cannot possibly speak for all of them and you cannot dismiss the experiences of Jewish people who report that they have encountered hostile protestors. And there have been well documented cases of antisemitism on those marches, even if the perpetrators are a minority.

I just don't understand why your entirely understandable concern for the people of Gaza seems to render you incapable of showing some basic human empathy for an anxious Jewish mum. And if you did have any empathy, you would have recognised by now that this really isn't the right thread for carrying on this argument.

So if Muslim girls are wearing hijabs at school, why can’t your son wars a kippah?

has the school specifically said ‘no Jewish religious items to be worn’? If so, how can they justify this?

And why can’t he share his culture on culture days?

more info needed!

Have you actually read what the OP wrote?

Wow, what sad reading this thread has been.

My son is not responsible for the actions of any foreign government, and I have no idea why this is being brought up as relevant. The only purpose seems to be to either justify or excuse Anti-Semitism. The number of deleted posts on this thread is saddening, as I can only surmise it is because of overt Anti-Semitism.

Some posters have said that we shouldn't ignore the lived experiences of Jews, and I thank you for this. I also thank the allies here, and I am sending virtual hugs to those who have also experienced Anti-Semitism.

My little boy proudly wore his kippah today while playing with his friends, and he looked adorable. (For those who asked, the friends go to a Jewish school. I do not know of anyone who wears a kippah in a community school, likely because it is not safe)

I'm glad that he is finding opportunities to wear it, OP. I bet he looked cute as a button.

I am absolutely sad and disgusted that Jewish people feel the need to hide their identity in the uk in 2025.
What on earth is going on in this world ?
I also hate to say this but i think you need to keep him safe too .
Sending love and hope that a better time will come.

This is both heartbreaking and enraging, OP. I can’t vote in your poll, as I think you are right to protect your son, but it shouldn’t be necessary.

Once again the problem is adults who haven’t a clue about politics but call themselves leftwing because it sounds good. Teachers should do a better job of educating antisemitic kids — but I can’t blame them as their jobs are hard enough already.

I wish I had a better answer for you. OP. Just sending solidarity, for what it’s worth without practical action.

I actually think that all religious expression should be banned in community schools, including hijabs.
But that’s by the by.

In your situaton, i would also worry and wouldn’t risk it.

People have very short memories: WW2 was less than 100 years ago, have people learnt nothing? I am truly shocked at the anti-semitism that continues to exists here.

To answer why he has been forbidden to share his culture on cultural days: this is tricky. He wanted to talk about his Israeli heritage, but was told this was 'political' and was banned from this. To note, this was entirely his own idea, and I had no idea he had planned to do this.

I was reluctant to disclose he has Israeli heritage (but not nationality), as I thought it would lead to derailment. However, that has already happened.

Regardless of a child's heritage, religion or nationality, they should not face discrimination though. The same applies to adults.