As current antisemitism rises to new all-time records in the United States and around the world, Jewish youth, parents, and teachers feel afraid and helpless. The techniques that many of us thought would resolve hatred, discrimination and hostility proved to be ineffective in volatile situations. Moreover, we adults were shocked to discover that waiting until high school to coach our teens how to cope is too late. Sadly, we are sending our college students to campus and our young wage earners to the work arena unprepared.
The highest number of United States antisemitic incidents in any single year since the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) started tracking them in 1979 was
reported this year. From October 7, 2023, to September 24, 2024, the number of verbal or written harassment, vandalism, and physical assault incidents represent an over 200-percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.
What is not in the news is how our kids are suffering, some as young as elementary school, subjected to tropes, memes and stereotypes. Most of our youth are unprepared and freeze which can lead to poor psychological and/or physical outcomes. Some tell either parents or teachers, but many suffer silently inside, becoming ‘the Other.’
What should be in the news is the unique position we are in to rethink our unsuccessful responses and focus our attention on effective strategies
to use when an antisemitic incident occurs. That is why Lynne Azarchi, M. A., and Harlene Lichter Galen, Ed. D., have put into a guidebook their 21-year experience of successfully teaching 35,000 youth strategies to safely push back against bias, hate and discrimination in the Kidsbridge Youth Center.
Dr. Galen and Azarchi, with more than 100 years of youth education between them, recently authored and published Countering Antisemitism & Hate, an engaging, interactive and solution-centered guidebook. It offers parents, grandparents, educators, and students, doable tools and activities to learn, model and practice to safely push back and defend themselves.
Research has revealed that fostering Jewish identity and pride serves as the foundation for youth to stand up and speak out. Therefore, preceding the activities part, the authors provide four brief sections of background information to build this base: Bystanders vs. Upstanders, Jewish History Exploration, Using Empathy, and the T.E.A.M. Approach (kids and adults working as a team ).
The Guidebook includes step-by-step directions for forming a supportive, protective family and understanding the necessity of sharing safety issues with trusted adults. In addition, scenarios for different age groups serve as guided content to think about and discuss nonviolent ways to be an “Upstander” i.e. one who stands up and speaks out to deter antisemitism and other bias.
In Countering Antisemitism & Hate: A How-to-Guide for Youth (8-18), Family & Educators, readers will find easy-to-follow directions for a variety of activities. For all activities, the Talmud advice– “Only the lesson which is enjoyed can be learned well”. has been heeded.
Curious about the Guidebook’s activities? Take a peek at one that encourages calming oneself before acting in the face of upsetting antisemitism:
“Deep breathing or belly breaths are the foundation of most calming techniques. Follow the directions below, practice by yourself, and then model and teach them to your children.
With palms open, put one hand on or near your belly button. Put the other hand on top of that hand. If comfortable, close your eyes. Otherwise, fix your eyes on an unmoving object in front of you or on the floor.
Breathe in deeply. Feel your hands move up. Hold your breath as you silently count to three.
Exhale gently, pretending to blow out a birthday candle. Feel your hands move down. Repeat all steps.”(There’s a Star of David calming strategy illustration to use as a guiding tool.).
Multiple studies throughout decades of antisemitism have reiterated the absence of
reporting of incidents. In order to help show how easy and achievable reporting is, two short sections with explicit directions: “Reporting – Why Bother” and “Approaching the Principal, Counselor or Teacher after an Antisemitic Incident “ are provided.
According to Michal Hoschander Malen, editor of the Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews:
“The Guidebook also features a list of educational activities that are practical rather than theoretical. Azarchi and Galen discuss in detail identification with Israel, tactics to help one remain calm in moments of crisis, assertive behaviors, and the uses and dangers of social media. They also recommend journaling, and provide a list of educational movies. This is a useful handbook that will help kids and their families make sense of a confusing world. It will instill in readers the confidence they need to continue to navigate daily life.”
Today, Countering Antisemitism & Hate is an essential guidebook for educators, parents, grandparents, youth and camp counselors. Learn more at Jewishupstanders.org