Teaching About Judaism and Antisemitism in the Classroom

Guest Post: Rev. Vicki Michela Garlock, Ph.D., Founder, World Religions for Kids

Once again, Jews find themselves in headlines across America almost every single day. Since early October, we’ve had Kanye West (aka Ye) tweeting that he was “going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” We’ve had Kyrie Irving suspended for five NBA games after tweeting the link to a film that contains antisemitic content. And the FBI in NJ identified a “credible” and “broad threat” to synagogues in that state. Soon enough, it will be December, and we will begin our annual conversations about how to handle the holiday season. This will be followed by our collective cultural exploration of the ways in which Hanukkah is – and isn’t – similar to Christmas.

Frankly, most educators would probably be more than happy to avoid these topics entirely. And yet, alleviating confusion – or at least helping students become more comfortable with it – is why we all became educators in the first place! Moreover, education is absolutely one of the best tools we have in our struggle against prejudice and discrimination.

When it comes to teaching about Judaism and antisemitism, several approaches are available to educators. They range from celebrating religious diversity more generally to addressing antisemitism head-on. The approach you choose will almost certainly depend on all sorts of factors, including the grade level of your students, the population/community you serve, your current content, and your pedagogical style. Luckily, there are resources available no matter which path you prefer.

Our Current Situation

In 2019, religious bias was listed as the motivation for about 20% of hate crimes, second only to hate crimes related to race/ethnicity. Attacks on members of any religious group are egregious, but Americans are often shocked to learn that the majority of religiously motivated incidents (about 60%) are against Jews. In fact, in 2021, the Anti-Defamation League logged over 2,500 incidents of harassment, vandalism, or violence against Jews. This represents the highest annual total since 1979 when their tracking began, with no decrease in sight. These statistics are even more shocking when one realizes that Jews account for only 2% of the U.S. population.

But it’s important to remember that, as these incidents pile up, so do the opportunities. Avoiding the topic is not really an option. We need to lift up Judaism’s place in America’s pluralistic culture, and we need to teach our student to recognize and call out antisemitism when they see it.

Dealing with Antisemitism Directly

Our students often know way more than we realize. This is particularly true when cultural icons, like Kanye West, and star athletes, like Kyrie Irving, take up significant space in the daily news cycle. Despite that, we can’t simply assume that our students know how antisemitism is defined or what it looks like. As we have learned with racism, another challenging and unpleasant topic, we need to explain it – not just what it is, but how to recognize it, how to call it out, and how to be an ally. And we need to do these things explicitly – out loud and in clear, straightforward ways.

The Anti-Defamation League is one of your best overall resources, especially for high school students. Founded in the early 1900’s their stated mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Their website includes various materials, including essays, maps, cartoons, and videos. Some are focused on antisemitism while others explore anti-Jewish tropes and myths. All are free to use with your students. Here are a few specific links that might be of interest.

History of Antisemitism

Antisemitic Myth: Jews Have Too Much Power

Antisemitic Myth: Jews are Greedy

Database of Neo-Nazi Symbols

Tips for Dealing with Antisemitism

They also have an easy-to-filter blog that explores current events related to both Jews and antisemitism.

Teaching About Judaism

It’s also important to help students appreciate the rich diversity found in America’s religious landscape. In this case, that would involve teaching students about Judaism in a non-devotional, constitutionally-appropriate way. Research has shown that positive interactions with other cultures and ethnic groups reduces fear and prejudice. Such encounters also enhance cross-group trust and friendship. Fortunately, online videos, published books, and lesson plan sites all offer lots of options for every grade level.

While this approach might feel less confrontational and a bit more appropriate for younger kids, please remember that even very young children understand concepts like fairness and kindness. So don’t be afraid to include direct statements about the importance of not discriminating against people because of their religious beliefs.

Hanukkah, the next big holiday on the Jewish calendar, offers some festive possibilities, especially for K-8 students. Here are a few of my favorite links.

Educational Books About Hanukkah

Lesson Plans – Hanukkah

The Ultimate List of Hanukkah Crafts

Best Hanukkah Videos for Kids

There are also many options about Judaism, more generally, especially at the middle- and high-school level. Here are a few of those links to get you started.

World Religions: Judaism

PBS Classroom Resources: The Story of the Jews

Institute for Curriculum Services

Teaching About Prejudice and Discrimination

Given the hate crime statistics and the prevalence of antisemitism in our culture, educators are certainly justified in focusing on Judaism specifically. However, another option is to discuss prejudice and discrimination more generally, incorporating antisemitism along the way. This approach might highlight topics like racism, religiously motivated violence, or ethnic cleansing. Here are a few resources to get you started down this path.

Learning for Justice: Classroom Resources

ING: Cultural Literacy and Mutual Respect

Facing History: Resource Library

H.E.A.T. Map (Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism)

Conclusion

Federal laws, including Title IV and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibit religious discrimination in both educational and employment settings. Despite those protections, religiously motivated violence, particularly against Jews, is at an all-time high in America. In addition, serious stories about antisemitic events are cropping up, almost daily, in the news and across social media. We all have a role to play in combatting hatred but, as educators, we hold a privileged position. After all, education is one of our best tools when it comes to opposing prejudice and promoting respect. And, with things seemingly getting worse instead of better, the time to start addressing these issues is now. We can’t afford to wait.

About the Author

Vicki Garlock is the founder of World Religions for Kids, a company dedicated to improving religious literacy in children and their adults.

Her kids’ books include Embracing Peace: Stories from the World’s Faith Traditions, the award-winning We All Have Sacred Spaces, and ABCs of the World’s Religions (due out December, 2022).

Over the years, she has written extensively for both The Interfaith Observer and Multicultural Kid Blogs. She and her husband live in Asheville, NC, and they have two almost-grown children. You can follow Vicki on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok (@learnreligions).