High School Kids Beg Administration: “Step Up; Educate Your Students!”

In August 2024, StandWithUs held the annual Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship training conference in Los Angeles. The Internship is a year-long program for over 200 student leaders at high schools across the United States and Canada who want to proactively impact their local schools and communities. Leventhal Interns learn about Israel, how to effectively combat antisemitism, and gain leadership skills.

The high school students had the opportunity to sign up for focus groups through the StandWithUs Data & Analytics department to describe their experiences at their schools before and after Oct. 7. This was a follow up to similar focus groups for college students participating in the StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship, resulting in an article which proved to be highly impactful.

 Focus groups are a type of in-depth qualitative research wherein a research scientist asks questions of a particular demographic in a controlled setting. While it would not be advisable to use this type of research to make broader statements about a general population, it is a powerful way to tell the stories of individuals. Additionally, multiple surveys have already reported an alarming increase in antisemitism and this was an opportunity to explore that trend further.

In the wake of October 7, many Jewish high school students across the U.S.  are facing  antisemitism at unprecedented levels that have transformed their schools into hostile environments. Whether it is the result of ignorance and misinformation or ill intent, many Jewish students feel isolated, harassed, and unsupported by their peers. Even more frustrating for these students is the deafening silence of their school administrations.

“Step up; educate your students, because many of us want to learn,” said Addison, a high school student in Kirkland, Washington. This sentiment is echoed by Jewish students throughout the focus groups, who feel that the lack of education about the Jewish people and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has fueled a rise in antisemitism, as misconceptions and hatred spread unchecked.

 A Call for Education in the Face of Antisemitism

For many Jewish students, the rise of antisemitism in their schools is directly linked to the lack of understanding and education about Jewish history, culture, and current events.

“Before October 7, it was just jokes—things people didn’t really understand,” said Ben from Indiana. “But now it’s real. People are saying things like ‘you support genocide’ because they have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s just ignorance turning into hatred.”

This plea for education is not just about protecting Jewish students from harassment. It’s about giving all students the tools to understand the complex issues surrounding the Jewish community and their connection to Israel, as well as the conflict in the Middle East in the context of modern and ancient history.  “I’m not saying everyone has to agree with me,” George, a native New Yorker, explained. “But how can we even have a conversation if no one knows the facts? It’s like we’re living in a bubble of misinformation.”

Many Jewish students feel that their peers, even those who don’t participate in the harassment, are confused or misinformed. “A lot of people don’t even know what antisemitism looks like,” Rachel, a Texan, explained. “They think it’s just about the Holocaust or saying mean things about Jews. They don’t understand the subtleties, the microaggressions, or how anti-Zionism often crosses into antisemitism.”

The rise in misinformation and hostility that Jewish students are facing is often linked to social media. “Social media is where a lot of people get their information, and it’s all opinions. It’s not facts,” Ben identified. “People are scrolling through Instagram or TikTok and seeing these posts that distort history, and they believe it. They don’t question it because they’ve never been taught any different.”

For some Jewish students, this misinformation has led to personal attacks from classmates. “One kid told me I shouldn’t wear my Star of David because it’s a symbol of oppression,” Rachel recalled. “Where are they getting that from? No one in school is teaching them, so they turn to the internet. And what they find there is just hate and lies.”

One of the most prevalent themes in the focus group is that school administrations have done little to educate the broader student body about Jewish issues. “My school has been silent,” said Addison. “They haven’t even acknowledged what’s happening. No assemblies, no emails, no discussions. It’s like they’re scared to address it, so they do nothing.”

George described his frustration with the administration’s reluctance to engage in light of the schools emphasis on other social issues. “They’ll talk about everything else—Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ issues. But when it comes to antisemitism, they say it’s too political. That’s an excuse. If they really cared, they’d step up and educate everyone.”

“It feels like we don’t matter,” Ben echoed. “We see our schools taking a stand for other groups, but when we need them, they’re silent.”

Despite the rise in antisemitism, many students in the group believe that their peers are not inherently hateful, but misinformed. “A lot of students want to learn,” George explained. “They just don’t have the right information. I’ve had friends come up to me and ask questions because they don’t understand what’s happening. They want to know the truth, but no one is teaching them.”

Addison, a junior, shared a similar experience. “One of my friends came to me after school and asked, ‘What’s going on in Israel? Why is everyone so angry?’ It was clear she had no idea what the conflict was even about. But at least she asked. She wanted to understand. And that’s the point—people want to learn, but they need someone to teach them.”

This curiosity often stemming from non-Jewish students, indicates that education can make a difference, and it’s why Jewish and pro-Israel students are pleading with their schools to act. “If we don’t teach people what antisemitism is, how can they stand up against it?” asked Rachel. “How can they support us if they don’t even know what we’re going through?”

Jewish students are not asking for special treatment. They are simply asking for their schools to treat antisemitism as seriously as other forms of discrimination and to provide education that fosters understanding and respect. “We just want a fair chance,” George said. “Educate everyone about what antisemitism really is, what Jewish history is, and why these issues matter today. Then maybe we can have real conversations instead of just hearing hate.”

Jewish students are asking their schools to step up and teach the facts, to create spaces where dialogue is based on knowledge, not ignorance or fear. “I don’t want to be scared to walk into school because I’m Jewish,” Addison said. “I want to feel like my school has my back. And that starts with education.”

The message is clear: Education is key. However, school administrations do not have to tackle this daunting task on their own. Organizations like StandWithUs are equipped to help. With a wealth of resources—ranging from in-person programs to print and digital materials—StandWithUs can provide support for schools looking to educate both students and faculty. By collaborating with expert organizations, schools can offer accurate and impactful lessons about Jewish history, contemporary antisemitism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In an environment where misinformation spreads faster than ever, Jewish and pro-Israel high school students are calling on their administrations to lead by example. They are begging for education that could change the climate of hostility into one of understanding. “Step up,” George urged. “Step up and teach us. Because we all want to learn.”