Here’s how we’re standing up to antisemitism and hate:
Sharing their stories
Federation finds new and compelling ways to share the stories of Holocaust survivors and teach the lessons of the Shoah to both Jewish and non-Jewish schoolchildren and others.
Explore howProviding security training
By training our area synagogues and other Jewish organizations, Federation ensures our buildings and all those who enter them are safe and secure.
Learn moreBuilding bridges and alliances
Federation forges relationships with other faith leaders, elected officials, and school administrators to strengthen our shared commitment to civil society.
Read blogsStanding with Israel
Federation supports our international partner agencies and our partner communities in Israel that are on the front lines of defending Jewish peoplehood.
Learn moreEmpowering the next generation
Federation provides our young people with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently claim their Jewish pride.
Learn moreKeeping you informed
Federation curates ways that you can make a difference. See suggestions below and subscribe to the Action Alerts.
Get alertsTimes like this strengthen our resolve and remind us how powerful we are when we stand together.
For 100 years we have been here to meet the needs of our Jewish community and right now our community needs us to stand strong, speak up, and lead us through this challenging chapter.
What You Can Do
Educate Yourself and Others
- What is Antisemitism?
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Three-minute video giving historical context and examples of antisemitism, as well as touching on modern day occurrences - Antisemitism Today
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Seven-minute video explaining the what and why behind antisemitism and how violent acts and hatred are on the rise. - Understanding Modern Day Antisemitism
Shine a Light
“Antisemitism is a sign of an intolerant society. By ignoring it, we grant society a broader license to hate.” This six-page resource answers questions in FAQ style to help us better understand antisemitism in today’s current climate. - Lesson Plan: History of Antisemitism and the Holocaust
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
This lesson focuses on the history of antisemitism and its role in the Holocaust to better understand how prejudice and hate speech can contribute to violence, mass atrocity, and genocide. Learning about the origins of hatred and prejudice encourages students to think critically about antisemitism today. - Responding to Antisemitism: A Curated Series
The Jewish Education Project
Our partners at the Jewish Education Project have organized this site to help educators navigate podcasts, articles, and lesson plans that address antisemitism in age-appropriate ways for all learners. - Old Hatred, New Paradigms: Combatting Antisemitism in the Twenty-First Century
Facing History & Ourselves
This collection of resources is designed to help educators integrate the study of traditional and contemporary antisemitism into their efforts at combating prejudices and stereotypes in the classroom. - What You Need to Know about Antisemitism Resource Page
Shine a Light
Partner provided resources including articles, lesson plans, videos, reports & papers, webinars, podcasts, and pamphlets. Can search by grade or medium. - Unpacked for Educators
OpenDor Media
High quality videos that explain the complexity of Israel, Judaism, antisemitism and more. The content is both engaging and balanced, and often has resources for educators to build lesson plans around the videos.
Empower the Next Generation
- Guidance for Talking to Our Kids, by Betsy Stone, Ph.D., eJewishPhilanthropy
Advice for talking to kids of all ages about the conflict in Israel, focusing on the child’s needs and using an approach that includes the “heart, head, and/or hand. - Finding Common Ground in Our Shared Values, Emily Fox, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest
Talking about hate is not always appropriate for our youngest learners, ages five and younger. Rather this article suggests we instill our young children with a sense of Jewish pride and focus on positive values that are both Jewish and universal: kindness, welcoming, curiosity, and joy. - How to Talk to Children About Antisemitism, PJ Library
Resource page for parents of children ages four to eight with links to sources with child-centered approaches as well as suggestions of books about overcoming adversity - How to Talk to Kids about Israel When Lighting Chanukah Candles, Rachel Fish, Ph.D. Jewish News Syndicate
Advice for approaching Jew hatred with children ages eight and older, considering what they may or may not be learning at school. Fish frames her advice in knowledge and truth, saying, “We should choose to wrestle with the truth rather than dumb it down.” Though this article was written during Chanukah, it is appropriate for anytime of the year. - What our teens need to be alright, Avi Siegel, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest The landscape for our teens is overwhelming and scary. It is now even more important that our homes are places where our kids feel comfortable having critical and challenging conversations. Here are suggested tips to help you help your teens. (link coming)
- 8 Tips for Talking About Israel with Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs, Tali Cohen Carrus, Gateways This article is geared toward parents of children with disabilities and can be applied to any child. It has practical suggestions for both communicating with and monitoring your child’s access to information.
- Talk and Take Action: Parents’ & Caregivers’ Guide to Countering Antisemitism, in partnership with USC Shoah Foundation, Nickelodeon’s provides a comprehensive roadmap will help you determine what your child is ready to learn, prepare you for these difficult conversations, and offers strategies, resources, and much more.
- Taking a Stand Against Antisemitism, Rachel Fish, Ph.D. Executive Director, Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, proud PJ Library parent, and member of the PJ Library NextGen Board.
Many sources recommend being direct with kids about difficult topics while also tuning in to gauge how much your kids can handle.The American Psychological Association stresses that for children in groups that are likely to be targets of discrimination, it’s vital for parents to have ongoing, honest, discussions with their children rather than shying away from the subject. The APA also recommends:
- Let the discussion be ongoing.
- Keep talking. Yes, even – and especially – when it gets hard. Remember, it’s also ok to say, “I don’t know.”
- Be age appropriate. Keep things basic. Young children especially need simple information balanced with reassurance.
- Encourage your children to ask questions.
- Help kids learn how to deal with being the potential target of discrimination.
- Develop healthy comebacks or responses to hurtful discriminatory statements. For example: “What an unkind thing to say.” “Excuse me? Could you repeat that?” “I disagree with you, and here’s why…”
- If you catch your child using insensitive language, use the moment as a teaching example.
- Model good behavior for your child.
Advocate for Change
- Break Bread to #Shinealight on Antisemitism, Shine A Light
Sitting around a table with challah on their plates, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Hannah Bronfman, Elon Gold, and Tea Leoni share personal experiences, and questions about antisemitism in this eight-minute video. Their message is filled with hope and inspiration for strengthened relations with our neighbors - Shine A Light: Workplace, Shine A Light
Tools and resources for support and conversations in non-Jewish work settings. This includes toolkits for starting Jewish Impact Groups and having dialogues with colleagues of all faith background, as well as videos with examples of what conversations can look like - Crisis, Controversy and Activism: Tips and Guidance for K-12 Schools, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
How can schools encourage students to become civically engaged, provide safety and protection for all students, and adhere to students’ First Amendment rights? Here are some ways to engage with your school administration and Board of Education - War in Israel: Fighting Back Online, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
A simple guide to combatting misinformation on social media - Addressing Antisemitism: A Guide for Allies, Project Shema
This 15-page resource breaks down complex ideas and issues for non-Jewish allies to better understand what the Jewish community is currently experiencing. It offers suggestions for incorporating training on antisemitism into DEI work and gives current examples of how it’s playing out in the current crisis.