The Museum of Jewish Heritage has launched a new resource program aimed at combating antisemitism in schools.
File photo/Max Parrott
The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust released on Tuesday an Antisemitism FAQ Educator Resource in the wake of ongoing and increasing antisemitism throughout the city and in NYC public schools.
The resource, according to the museum, is an “easy-to-use, accessible” guide designed to help teachers and educators develop and increase their understanding of antisemitism, specifically how it has played out in the past and what it looks like today.
Why was the resource created?
Halfway around the world, Hamas’ terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, led to the ongoing war in Gaza, reignited a wave of anti-Jewish ideologies and antisemitic attacks throughout the Big Apple. Schools have not been immune to the violence and harassment, with many students and teachers feeling the wrath of antisemitism within the public school system.
Just this week, Jewish advocates held a press conference accusing Origins High School in Brooklyn of being riddled with antisemitic behavior. The allegations include death threats against Jewish teachers, swastika drawings and other forms of harassment.
Though city officials and the Department of Education denied that these incidents occurred at Origins, both have nonetheless acknowledged the rise of antisemitism in public schools around the city since the Oct. 7 attacks. In January, the DOE rolled out a new education program designed to help educators combat antisemitism in the classroom.
About the new resource
The museum’s new educator resource features a series of questions commonly asked about antisemitism, accompanied by answers and background information for educators to use in the classroom or any educational setting.
Topics include the roots of antisemitism, why Jews were targeted during the Holocaust, how the Holocaust ties into current events and…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply