Step 1: Maintain Open Communication with Your Child
Give your child space to express feelings and share experiences about being Jewish at school. Understand and honor that they may see things differently than you do; ask curious, open-ended questions and allow for ongoing conversations. Recognize that they may be reticent to speak up even if they are feeling excluded or discriminated against. Help them build resilience and self-advocacy skills, and guide them in communicating effectively with school staff. Consider mental health support if needed. Explore AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) program for high school students.
Step 2: Build Relationships with School Leaders
Establish open communication with the administrators, teachers, and student support staff early in the school year, before an incident occurs. Share your concern about the challenges facing American Jews today and offer to be a resource on addressing Jewish - and all - belonging in school. Share AJC’s Action Plan for K-12 Administrators (Public Schools; Independent Schools).
Step 3: Promote Jewish Belonging
Encourage your child’s school to foster Jewish belonging by ensuring cultural events are inclusive of Jewish students and families, recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month in May, and being mindful of Jewish holidays when setting the school calendar. Share these resources: Guidance for K-12 Schools on “Cultural Night” Programs; Guidance for Meaningful and Inclusive JAHM Implementation; Guide to Jewish Religion, Culture, and Holiday Observances.
Step 4: Advocate for Education about Jewish Identity and Antisemitism
Request educational programs about Jewish identity and antisemitism for your school community. Understanding antisemitism’s unique nature and history is crucial for addressing it effectively. AJC offers tailored presentations for administrators, faculty, students, and parents. Share these resources: Guide to Understanding Who Are The Jewish People; Guidance for K-12 Schools on Evaluating Programs About Antisemitism.
Step 5: Seek Curricular Enrichment
Ask where Jewish history, literature, and culture currently exist in the school’s curriculum. Advocate for the inclusion of Jewish experiences, contributions, and challenges throughout history and across subjects, not just in discussions about the Holocaust. Ensure that Holocaust education is comprehensive and includes: (1) information about the Jewish civilization that was destroyed; (2) Jewish resistance to Nazi terror; and (3) antisemitism’s historical roots and contemporary manifestations. Encourage the school to teach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with multiple narratives and primary sources. Share these resources: Guidance for K-12 Schools to Ensure the Jewish Experience is Included Across the Curriculum; Action Plans for Independent and Public Schools.
Step 6: Support Clear Antisemitism Policies
Encourage administrators to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as an educational tool and policy guide in determining when antisemitic conduct occurs at school. This definition provides a clear framework for identifying contemporary antisemitism. Note that it makes clear that criticism of Israeli policies is not antisemitic. Share AJC’s Action Plan for K-12 Administrators (Public Schools; Independent Schools), and Guidance and Checklist for Responding to Discrimination Incidents.
Step 7: Confirm Clear Reporting Systems
Confirm your school has clear mechanisms for reporting antisemitic incidents with transparent investigation processes. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report, 77% of Jewish Americans who experienced antisemitism didn’t report it; however, reporting is key to ensuring that schools address incidents and understand how widespread issues may be. Explore this resource: Reporting Antisemitism.
Step 8: Address Social Media and Online Behavior
Advocate for clear social media policies and age-appropriate conversations about healthy social media use, including recognizing misinformation and disinformation. Review and share with your teen AJC’s Guidance to Help Jewish Students Engage Responsibly with Social Media.
Step 9: Anticipate High-Tension Points in the Calendar
Certain times of year carry heightened risk for antisemitic incidents: election season, the anniversary of October 7, Jewish holidays, and conflicts in the Middle East, which may prompt protests or walkouts. Ask administrators how they plan ahead for these moments. Share these resources: Teaching About Elections in Schools; Anniversary of October 7; News Sources for Teaching Current Events in the Middle East; Inclusive December Activities; Handling Student Protests and Walkouts.
Step 10: Build Community Support
Encourage your child to participate proudly in Jewish clubs, cultural programming, leadership opportunities, and community activities that strengthen Jewish identity and confidence. Connect with other Jewish parents to form affinity groups for mutual support, uplifting Jewish programming, and collective advocacy. Work together respectfully with school leadership, offering specific, actionable recommendations that improve safety and learning for all students.
Remember: Learn more by exploring our comprehensive Toolkit for Parents of Jewish K-12 Students, and make sure to download and share our Toolkit for Jewish K-12 Students with your child. You can find and download additional resources from AJC’s Education Resource Hub to share with your school community. AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy is available to support you and provide guidance for your child’s school. Reach out to us at [email protected].
