FAQs for Parents of K-12 Jewish Students

Navigating Educational Spaces After the First Anniversary of October 7

With the passing of the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks, and as we enter year two of the ensuing multi-front war between Israel and Iran-backed terrorist groups, parents of K-12 Jewish students may find themselves hearing about concerning situations or incidents their children face in school without knowing how best to navigate them.

It is utterly unacceptable for any student to endure antisemitism in their school environment. The Center for Education Advocacy at American Jewish Committee (AJC) is committed to providing constructive guidance for school administrators, faculty, students, and parents to build educational spaces that are resilient against antisemitism. This guide offers practical advice and resources for parents of Jewish K-12 students, empowering them to address concerns effectively and support their children's well-being.

Our first piece of advice, no matter the incident under question, is for parents of Jewish students to ask themselves a few key questions:

Is my child currently safe?
Am I sure that the information I have is accurate?
Does the situation merit or require my advocacy beyond supporting my student?
How can I help my child so they have the support and resources they need to act in the most constructive, effective way possible?

Question:
What should I do if my child is the victim of or witnesses an antisemitic incident at school?

Answer:

Report it immediately to the administration and ensure the school takes all appropriate steps to immediately address the issue and protect your child's physical and emotional well-being. If the incident could be classified as a hate crime, report it immediately to law enforcement. Inquire from the school administration whether they have a transparent process for addressing such incidents. Advocate for the school to condemn antisemitism unequivocally and reinforce its commitment to a safe environment. Encourage the school to consult with AJC to strategize prevention measures so that such an incident might be prevented in the future. If you are part of a Jewish parent affinity group in your school, ensure that the group is informed about the situation and understands the verified story of what happened. As much as possible, encourage the Jewish parent affinity group to speak in a unified voice with the administration about the incident. Keep your child informed about the school's response and reassure them that the issue is being handled. If your child’s school is not handling the incident effectively, please be in touch with us at [email protected].

Question:

What do I do if I hear about antisemitic incident at my child's school?

First verify the facts with the school and/or other credible sources. Stay calm to avoid spreading misinformation or escalating the situation unnecessarily, especially if the incident does not directly involve your child. Ensure the school has a clear process for reporting antisemitic incidents and is transparent about how they will investigate and address them. Refer to resources like AJC’s guide on Reporting Antisemitism to Federal Agencies, Law Enforcement, and Social Media Guidance. Advocate for the school to condemn antisemitism unequivocally and reinforce its commitment to a safe environment. Encourage the school to consult with AJC to strategize prevention measures so that such an incident might be prevented in the future. If you are part of a Jewish parent affinity group in your school, ensure that the group is informed about the situation and understands the verified story of what happened. As much as possible, encourage the Jewish parent affinity group to speak in a unified voice with the administration about the incident. Keep your child informed about the school's response and reassure them that the issue is being handled. If your child’s school is not handling the incident effectively, please be in touch with us at [email protected].

Question:
How can I advocate for my child if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable in school due to their Jewish identity?

Answer:
Address the issue calmly with the administration, providing specific examples of your child’s experiences. Highlight the school’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students and express your willingness to collaborate on solutions. Offer suggestions such as education, staff training, or additional support. Offer to connect the school with AJC so we can provide strategies and guidance to address the situation. Encourage your child to seek help from a school counselor, who can provide a safe space and coping strategies. Keep open communication with the school and your child, ensuring they feel heard, and reassess regularly if they feel safe and supported. If your child’s school proves unresponsive, please be in touch with us at [email protected].

Question:
How should I talk to my child about the aftermath of October 7 and the events in Israel?

Answer:

Open and maintain an ongoing dialogue with your child so they feel safe and supported while sharing their emotions and experiences. Invite your child to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment or action on your part. This creates a supportive space where they feel comfortable discussing what’s happening at school. Listen attentively and reflect, ensuring they feel heard and understood. Reassure your child that it is completely normal to feel a range of emotions, from confusion to sadness or worry. Offer age-appropriate information, being mindful not to overwhelm them with details that may be too complex or distressing. Note that Jewish Unpacked has excellent resources including videos and articles that can help.

Question:

There is a teacher in my child’s school who has a sign that says “Free Palestine - Ceasefire Now!” on the door to their office. What should I do?

Answer:

Approach the school administration to discuss. Ask what the school rules are regarding teachers’ political expression on school grounds. (Generally, public schools have stricter rules about this than private schools.) Be nuanced with your language. Explain that while of course everyone wishes for an end to the war between Hamas and Israel, calling for a ceasefire is actually a political statement that can negate the very real security concerns that Israel has with respect to Hamas as well as ignoring the fate of the 101 Israeli hostages still in captivity in Gaza. You can use language from AJC’s Tough Questions on Gaza Answered to assist you here. Similarly, explain that while the term “Free Palestine” is on its face an innocuous message that seems to call for justice, it is a term that is frequently weaponized against the Jewish community and oversimplifies a complex issue. (For example: What does “Free Palestine” mean in actuality? Does it mean destroying Israel and replacing it with Palestine? Does it mean creating a peaceful Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza under leadership that is not Hamas or any other terror organization? Something in between?) Because of this, it is inappropriate for a teacher to have signage like this hung up in school. Ask the school if they have, or will be setting, policy about these types of expressions on school grounds. If the school is uncooperative or unresponsive, contact AJC at [email protected].

Question:

My child’s teacher is using factually incorrect source material to teach about the Middle East and/or Israel. What should I do?

Answer:

Contact the teacher first. It is generally more effective to express your concerns in a meeting, in person or on Zoom, rather than an email. Come prepared to the meeting with specific examples of inaccuracies or bias in the curriculum. Approach the teacher with a collaborative attitude and curious questions rather than an attacking tone. Offer to connect the teacher with AJC’s K-12 education experts and/or trusted curriculum experts such as ConnectED and Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS). If you meet with resistance or hostility from the teacher, or if it is clear that the teacher has no intention of making any change, contact school administration. Offer to connect the school with AJC and the above curricular experts to help. If the school remains unresponsive, contact us at [email protected].

Question:
Should I get involved if there are tensions among students in the school community regarding the events of October 7 or the ongoing war in the Middle East?

Answer:

If you hear from your child about tensions between students, first applaud your child for coming to you to share what’s happening; maintaining open communication and supporting your child in ways that are best for them is key. Discuss with your child the possible and appropriate next steps, and depending on their age, encourage them to self-advocate - either by engaging with the student in question, or by raising the issue with their advisor, grade dean, or other appropriate administrator. Help your child prepare to articulate specific examples of how the tension is affecting them personally, which will help the administrator respond. You can follow up afterwards with an email. If your child is not old enough to self-advocate, then reach out to the appropriate administrator, describing the situation and ask for a meeting. If tensions escalate, inquire with school administrators how they will address them in line with their mission and values to foster a respectful, educational environment that navigates these discussions constructively and thoughtfully. AJC’s K-12 education professionals are available to offer additional context, sensitivity training, and expert guidance; contact us at [email protected].

Question:
What if my child’s school doesn’t seem to have a plan for addressing antisemitism?

Answer:
Start a conversation with school leaders, asking about their efforts to ensure Jewish students feel safe and supported, especially during sensitive times. Share resources like "An Action Plan for Heads of Independent Schools” or “An Action Plan for Public School Administrators" that offer practical guidance, including implementing staff and student training to recognize and respond to antisemitism, and to foster a more inclusive environment. By offering resources and advocating for training, you can help the school create a safer and more supportive atmosphere for all students and the broader school community. Connect AJC with your school so that we can provide expert guidance and antisemitism education.

Question:
What resources can I use to help my child and their school better understand antisemitism and support Jewish students?

Answer:
AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy produces several resources for K-12 schools and parents, including:

All of the materials above (and more!) can be found on AJC’s Crisis on Campus Resource Hub.

AJC has 25 regional offices throughout the United States. If you have further questions, we are happy to connect you to the regional office closest to your school to discuss incidents or ways we can assist. Email us at [email protected].

FAQs for Parents of K-12 Jewish Students

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