Please tell your children

[Dilbertian]

That they have the right to feel safe at school.

That they do not have to suck up any anti-semitic 'banter'.

That it is the teacher's job to address bullying - anti-semitism is bullying.

That they are not responsible for Israel's actions.

That they do not have to explain or justify anything about Israel or Jews.

That it is the teacher's job to teach about Judaism, Israel and anti-semitism, not theirs. They are the child being educated, they are not the teacher.

If they feel confident speaking up, then fine, they can go ahead. But if they do not want to speak and be the Jewish figurehead or educator, that is also a fine choice.

But to be supported in these rights and choices they have to report it. To their teacher and to you so that you can back them up.

So well said Dilbertian. I’m heartbroken that innocent children have to live with this. They are having to face hatred, violence and fear. The younger ones will pick up on the stress and anxiety but not understand what’s going on. I hate that innocent people on both sides of this nightmare are paying such a horrific price for extremists actions. And the ripples worldwide affects so many of us, in many different ways.

My parents and grandparents did whatever they could to integrate and to hide their Jewishness when they arrived in the UK. To his dying day, my DF would whisper the word Jewish if he was out the house, for fear of anyone hearing and identifying him. We are back to feeling that same fear. Our children need to be taught they owe no one an explanation, justification and tell their parents about any antisemitism they encounter.

Totally agree

And definitely about not having to be the figure head for all Jews or Israel. When I went back to work after the first lot of marches in 2021 we had to step in and stop many teenagers in different year groups getting made to do that.

Im sorry this even has to be an issue for you. Its not right, its not fair and im angry so many children are affected by this. Its not your fault.

this really makes me feel lucky that my dds go to Jewish schools. That they can just be themselves.

Im not Jewish so apologies for being here but wanted to say you have my full support & the full support of my friends & family in real life.

Agree, OP.

Shame on parents who poison their children's hearts.

Not Jewish but bumping with love x

Not my board but just giving a msg of support.

I feel awful right now for my university going children. They already had to deal with academia being generally so antisemitic and now everyone is putting up posters and propaganda and it's all so bloody crap.

@LemonyTicket I share your concerns and frustrations. I also have a DC at university who is active on a JSoC committee. They have been told by UJS to lay low and not attract attention. It’s been an awful start to term. It’s been eye opening just how antisemitic many in the universities have become.

Once they're at university it becomes more complex. They are no longer children being looked after and educated by adults. Now they are the adults.

Nonetheless some of my points still apply:

They do not have to suck up any anti-semitic 'banter'.

Anti-semitism is bullying.

They are not responsible for Israel's actions.

They do not have to explain or justify anything about Israel or Jews.

If they feel confident speaking up, then fine, they can go ahead. But if they do not want to speak and be the Jewish figurehead or educator, that is also a fine choice.

However, as adults they have responsibilities, too. To themselves and to their fellow Jews at the very least. If anti-semitism directed at someone else is not addressed, it won't be long before they are the target.

Exactly. My dd went to university in London and felt really uncomfortable the whole time she was there.