I did something Friday never thought I would need to do

[Trulywonderful]

As a British non religious Jew in the multi cultural city that is London I never thought I would have this conversation with my 11 year old son.

My son attends a very nice state school not a Jewish one. However as most the children that attended his primary know my family are Jewish latest events made me nervous. Not that those kids he has attended the primary school would be an issue but that they might innocently tell others he is Jewish. Potentially leading to at best him being questioned about his views on the conflict and at worse a physical assault.

So I had two options Friday morning. Keep him home when I was possibly overly worrying about kids in his nice school or have the one talk I never thought would happen.

So I decided to have the talk. Told him to make sure he didn't mention being Jewish at school from now on. That if anyone started asking to say no or walk away. In RS lessons don't mention it, even if the teacher is talking about Jews. I am gutted still I had to tell him this.

My father was very obviously Jewish and even if he hid it on occasion he still looked Egyptian or something. Therefore growing up I saw regular antisemitism and prejudice because of his middle eastern looks.

It is easy for myself and my children to blend in because we are fairer non religious. I thought a conversation like Fridays would never happen.

I am still very sad to have had the conversation I am sure many Jewish religious families or others abroad etc have all the time.

In northern Ireland there are many situations where children know not to ask or tell what faith tradition they are. Less so now but it's a culture where it's wisest not to broadcast it, if only to keep things relaxed between everyone. I don't think it's the end of the world - a pity but some things are contentious and not for shouting from the hills. I'm really sorry you felt the need but with things are they are between Israel and Palestine and the tragedies on both sides, it's inevitable for now.

I had the same conversation with my daughter on the same day. Also a large mixed London state school.

I never thought I'd have to do it either

I'm sorry you felt you had to have that talk. I'm so sorry for all of the awfulness that is happening to so many right now. XO

I hope that the responses on this thread aren't representative of what this board is going to be like.

"But why?"

You're not Jewish, are you.

What’s the GP going to prescribe for anti-semitism?

"Basically nil"?

Ffs, is this board just going to be overrun by non-jews telling us we're wrong about our own lives and experiences and history and reality?

I’m confused by this comment. Did you not find my post supportive and understanding?

@areyouhavinglaugh - where I teach it's very inclusive, very multicultural. We foster an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance.
Still we have antisemitic incidents.
Still we have students who are Holocaust deniers. Still we have students who use offensive stereotypes and show bigotry.
It's happening.

Oh I'm so sorry. This came up in active. I shall bow out and pay more attention. Sorry

Thank you.. my daughter in year 7 last year was physically attacked by a boy the same age who told her that Hitler should have finished the job.

The same boy was also horribly racist to students of many other ethnicities.

Luckily her teachers and classmates were really supportive and he was moved to a different form group.

I wasn't referring to your comment. I was referring to the many posters who jumped on to minimise, deny and mock the op.

We have a sizable community of Pakistani children who are, in the main, well behaved, hard working and polite. However. Every year they tell us to take Gay Pride flags down. That the Holocaust is made up by Zionists. We had a Holocaust survivor who was asked by a yr9 boy if he could justify Palestine. It's constant.
We have to be vigilant. This is an outstanding school with a great intake. It's still happening.

I'm glad your daughter was supported, @BlurredEdges . 🌻

I'm so sorry, OP. I can completely understand your decision.

Sorry you felt you had to say that @Trulywonderful I can completely understand why.

I'm so sorry, OP. I'm an American gentile but my parents had a Jewish friend who lost his entire family in the Holocaust. Never forget! Persecution of the Jews never ends.

I don’t understand why boards like this which are meant to be safe spaces always show up in ‘Active’. Inevitably people other than the intended participants are going to see threads and reply. I did say the same on the original thread proposing to set this board up.

Ffs this bullshit already. This is the Jewish Mumsnetters board. Go away.

The old anti semite card to silence people like me

second fucking thread on this board and here we are already.

Thank you. I (cautiously) think the school manage really well and on the whole there is relatively little racism or tension between the many different ethnicities, nationalities, religions etc.

It's still been "heart in mouth" sending her in every day for the past couple of weeks though.

My son not so much as he is still in primary and there are proportionately more Jewish kids in his class.

Why? Apt user name!

Because some Jewish school children were kept off school on Friday becuase of the threat level.
Because Jewish school children have been told to hide their blazers so not to reveal their Jewsih School.
Because Jewish schools have to have security to guard them.
Because there have been rallies in the Uk supporting actions of a terrorist organistion whihc wants to wipe out Jews and calls for international jihad.

I'm sorry Jewish MNers I'm not Jewish so probably shouldn't post here but the willfull ignorance is enraging.

OP this is haert breaking, please also tell your son that the majority of British people stand with the Jewish people, but I unedstaynd that when there is a muderous minority you fear for your child.

It's been my user name forever m my esp don't take that a slight 😬

@BlurredEdges yes I agree! First post and we can't have a proper discussion.