At Parents for Peace, we know that extremism isn’t just a security issue—it’s a public health crisis. In recent months, a disturbing pattern has emerged: Jewish students, particularly Israeli expat children, are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and even self-harm due to escalating antisemitism in schools. This is not just about bias—it’s about the real psychological harm inflicted on young people when hate is normalized in their learning environments.
Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, our Director of Trauma Training and Services, recently spoke to JNS about the growing crisis. She described an alarming trend among Jewish students in Massachusetts schools, many of whom are struggling with fear, isolation, and even questioning their own identity in response to hostility from peers and teachers alike.
“I have patients that are saying that they don’t want to be Jewish anymore because everybody hates them,” Dr. Bar-Halpern shared.
This level of distress is not just a response to individual incidents of antisemitism—it’s a psychological reaction to what Dr. Bar-Halpern describes as “traumatic invalidation.” When children face harassment, threats, or exclusion and their pain is dismissed or even justified by those around them, it undermines their trust in institutions, in their own sense of belonging, and in their right to feel safe.
Schools Must Be Safe Spaces—Not Breeding Grounds for Hate
According to the report, antisemitic messaging and materials have been openly circulated within the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), influencing classroom discussions and creating an environment where Jewish students feel targeted rather than supported. Some of the disturbing examples include:
- A school map that erased Israel entirely, labeling Jerusalem as part of “Palestine.”
- Jewish students being told that victims of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks “deserved it.”
- Swastikas painted on lockers of Jewish students.
When hate infiltrates educational spaces, the damage goes beyond immediate safety concerns—it creates long-term mental health consequences. Chronic stress, hyper-vigilance, and feelings of rejection in childhood can have lasting impacts on identity, self-worth, and resilience. Studies on other minority groups have demonstrated these effects, yet Jewish students facing antisemitism have rarely been examined through this lens. Dr. Bar-Halpern is now working to bridge that gap by researching how traumatic invalidation is shaping the mental health of Jewish youth.
Early Intervention is Key
At Parents for Peace, we believe in prevention, intervention, and healing. We support families navigating the effects of extremism, whether through direct intervention services or by equipping communities with the tools to recognize early warning signs of radicalization.
The rise in antisemitism is not an isolated phenomenon. As our exit interventionist, Arno Michaelis, a former white nationalist, points out:
“Whether the violent extremism flavor is violent Islamism, white nationalism, or Antifa, all of these ideologies bring the same miserable experience, and all of them are rampantly antisemitic.”
These patterns reinforce one undeniable truth: Hate is learned, but so is resilience.
What Can Be Done?
- Schools must take antisemitism seriously—just as they would respond to racism, Islamophobia, or any other form of hate.
- Educators need proper training to identify and address antisemitism, ensuring Jewish students feel safe in their classrooms.
- Parents and communities must speak up—silence allows hate to fester. By calling attention to these issues, we can push for institutional accountability.
Moving Forward
We cannot afford to treat antisemitism in schools as an inconvenient byproduct of political discourse. It is a direct threat to children’s mental health and well-being. At Parents for Peace, we will continue to stand with families, educate communities, and push for early intervention strategies that address extremism as a public health issue.
No child should be made to feel that their identity is a burden. No child should be afraid to go to school.
Join us in raising awareness and ensuring that every student—regardless of faith or background—has the right to a safe, supportive learning environment.
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