(Jewish Group) How to talk to kids about antisemitism

[Behind the Aegis]

My daughter was devastated when we told her she could no longer wear her backpack, lunchbox and sneakers to schools.

This was a few weeks ago after a certain rapper spewed hateful remarks against the Jewish community and before a company he represented dropped him. At first, our 10-year-old daughter was only able to understand that her parents were banning her favorite sporting brand from her wardrobe.

It was our job to explain to her why it meant so much more. As Jewish parents raising strong, confident, proud Jewish children, we knew we needed to use this as a teaching moment.

While antisemitism has always been around, these days it is more in our face due to a number of factors, including social media. But figuring out how to talk to children about antisemitism, especially when it is being spouted by well-known figures, can be tricky. Laura Shaw Frank, director of the American Jewish Committee's (AJC) Contemporary Jewish Life Department as well as a former Jewish school educator and mother of four, says it's key to start early, way before conflict arises.

“Jewish parents should be mindful in fostering joyful and resilient Jewish identities in your children,” she tells Yahoo Life. “It is so important that our Jewish children not see Jewish identity as being a victim. Jewish identity is special and wonderful and precious and joyful.”

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