EDUCATOR RESOURCES TO ADDRESS ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Overview
Resouces for educators addressing antisemitism.
Teaching about Antisemitism
Oregon's Every Student Belongs
An important step in creating safe and inclusive school climates where all who participate in our school communities feel welcome. The rule prohibits hate symbols, specifically three of the most recognizable symbols of hate in the U.S. The Oregon Department of Education webpage includes resources for teaching about combatting hate, discrimination, and bias.
THE INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) created a definition of antisemitism that begins:
Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
TEACHING RESOURCES
What is antisemitism?
Created by the International Holocaust Alliance (IHRA), this working definition of antisemitism is a comprehensive definition adopted by over 30 democratic countries, including the United States. It is also included in the California Department of Education’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC). The reason for its widespread acceptance is that it reflects the real-life experiences of Jews who face this bigotry today. Schools and school districts can use IHRA as a tool to educate students about all forms of antisemitism, past and present. It is also a tool to help determine whether an incident of hatred or discrimination has occurred.
Jewish Americans lesson
The Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) creates and improves the accuracy of K-12 instructional materials, develops standards-aligned curricula, and provides professional development to teachers.
The lesson by ICS is included in the ESMC, which is being updated now.
Antisemitism and Jewish Middle Eastern Americans lesson plan; Oral history project video series
Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North African (JIMENA) aims to achieve "universal recognition for the heritage and history of the 850,000 indigenous Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa." JIMENA’s lesson plan has been adopted by the California State Department of Education.
The Roots and Impacts of Antisemitism lesson plan
Facing History focuses on using lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. Their resources are widely used in schools across the United States.
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
The ADL's goal is to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. The ADL’s resources are used in schools across the United States:
- No Place for Hate program
- Antisemitism Uncovered: BINAH: Building Insights to Navigate Antisemitism and Hate
- Echoes and Reflections
- Lesson Plan: Antisemitic Incidents: Being An Ally, Advocate and Activist
- Lesson Plan: Challenging Antisemitism: Debunking the Myths and Responding With Facts
- Online Antisemitism Course
MUSEUMS FOR VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS
- Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum (Washington DC)
- Holocaust Center for Humanity (Seattle)
- Wassmuth Center for Human Rights (Boise)
- Museum of Tolerance (Los Angeles)
- Skirball Cultural Center (Los Angeles)
- Holocaust Center for Humanity (Seattle)
- American Jewish Historical Society (New York)
- Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
- Emma Lazarus Exhibit (New York)
- Holocaust Center for Humanity (Seattle)
- Jewish Museum of Maryland
- Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
- National Museum of American Jewish History (Philadelphia)
- Sephardic Heritage Museum (New York)
- The Breman (Atlanta)
- The Jewish Museum (New York)
- Touro Synagogue - Oldest Synagogue in the U.S. (Newport, RI) (Sephardic)
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum (Washington DC)