Teachers have always been the backbone of any strong community. Not long ago, during COVID, they adeptly took their classrooms to screens, and we thanked our incredible educators with car parades and gratitude gift deliveries. Since then, teachers continue to be creative in how they inspire and engage our students. Today, teachers have sadly been forced into roles as heroes during school shootings in too many places across our nation. We praise their bravery as they face the most horrific of situations.
Greater MetroWest’s teachers and educators are navigating another significant challenge right now, with growing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment proliferating in many of our local districts. It began even before October 7 and has significantly increased since.
Students and their parents are reporting a rise in antisemitic incidents and issues in our local secular schools and reaching out to Federation for assistance and guidance. We speak with many teachers who are deeply concerned and affected by this increase in hate. We thank them for their tireless efforts to make our schools safe for all students and reinforce that Jewish hatred has no place here.
Almost immediately after October 7, our Jewish Federation issued a statement sent to every superintendent and a large number of heads of secular private schools across Essex, Sussex, Morris, Union, and Somerset Counties. In it, we stated our commitment to not only calling out and combatting antisemitism in our schools but also pledge to work with our local administrators to ensure they do so as well. As stated in that letter, “we call on you, as the educational leaders of our institutions, to immediately denounce any actions of antisemitism towards our students and to take the proper disciplinary actions against all those perpetrating them whether they be students or faculty. We stand ready to support and assist each of you as you navigate this difficult time. We have educational programs, resources, and professionals that specifically cover antisemitism, tolerance, and Holocaust education.”
We have been fortunate that many of our local schools are eager to engage with us and work together towards a shared goal. Thankfully, countless educators consistently step up to support and work with Jewish students, offering safety and comfort when they have been made to feel as if they do not belong.
On Wednesday August 14, Jewish Federation will convene educators from public and private secular schools across Greater MetroWest to discuss the increase in antisemitic acts, and how they can prepare to support Jewish students in their settings this coming year. Keynote speaker, Rabbi Diana Fersko, author of We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in this field. She understands that many educators experienced antisemitism as minimal or solely historical while they were growing up, but that today’s teens are living it in real time. She breaks down what’s happening and gives educators tools and resources to better approach today’s climate. With this knowledge, teachers and administrators will be better equipped to help Jewish students reporting antisemitic incidents, fears of potential school walkouts, and even personal attacks because of their Judaism and/or support of Israel.
Teachers are always on our front lines and we are incredibly grateful that so many of them are showing up once again to care for our Jewish students. For more information, please reach out to Ilyse Shainbrown at [email protected] or Emily Fox at [email protected] or register here for the event.