Quck answer
Antisemitism is a concerning issue that must be addressed. Here are some ways to stand up against it:
1. Education: Educate yourself and others about the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish people. This can help combat stereotypes and promote understanding.
2. Speak out: Don’t stay silent when you witness or hear antisemitic remarks or actions. Speak up against hate and prejudice, whether it’s in person or online.
3. Support Jewish communities: Show solidarity by attending events, visiting synagogues, and supporting Jewish-owned businesses. This can help create a sense of belonging and counteract antisemitic acts.
4. Report incidents: If you witness or experience antisemitism, report it to the appropriate authorities or organizations dedicated to combating hate crimes.
5. Support legislation: Advocate for laws that protect religious freedom and combat antisemitism. Contact your local representatives and voice your concerns.
By taking a stand, we can help create a more inclusive and tolerant society.
Antisemitism refers to prejudice and discrimination against Jewish people. It can manifest in various ways. Sometimes, it targets the religion of Judaism and its practitioners. Another form of antisemitism falsely assumes that all Jewish individuals belong to a single race. However, Jewish people can come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as different countries.
Antisemitism has a long history, dating back over 2,000 years when the Romans enslaved Jewish people. Seeking freedom, many Jewish people dispersed around the world over time. Some communities welcomed them, while others confined Jewish people to segregated and overcrowded parts of towns. During World War II, ghettos were also established for Jewish people. These ghettos were closed-off sections within cities.
Religious and cultural differences often fueled hatred towards Jewish people, making it easy to treat them unfairly due to their faith.
From 500 to 1500 C.E., Jewish people were marginalized and subjected to discriminatory practices. They were often required to wear symbols, such as yellow circles, or specific hats to identify themselves as Jewish. Minority groups are frequently scapegoated for a country’s problems, and Jewish people have been targeted in many places and time periods.
These prejudices persisted into the 1900s, with Hitler making Jewish people the scapegoat for societal hardships in the 1920s and 1930s. The Holocaust resulted in the murder of six million Jewish people by the Nazis, fueled by these false narratives. Unfortunately, the end of World War II did not eradicate this practice.
Even today, antisemitic activities continue to occur, despite our hope for increased acceptance. Swastikas and anti-Jewish phrases can be seen in public spaces and on social media. Acts of violence against Jewish people, including bombings of synagogues, their places of worship, are still prevalent. Many of these incidents also occurred before World War II.
We cannot control the actions of others, but we can ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of false information and antisemitism ourselves. This means fact-checking before sharing stories and relying on reliable sources. When encountering false information, it is important to correct it, explain why it is false, and present the facts.
We can also listen to those who have experienced antisemitism in order to gain a better understanding of their feelings. This Wonder includes a video from USC Shoah Foundation featuring Holocaust survivors Esther Clifford and Michelle Cohen-Rodriguez, who share their experiences of antisemitism as children.
What should we do when faced with antisemitism in person? We can become allies! Supporting someone who has experienced discrimination is a great first step. Show kindness, offer support, and listen to their feelings. We can also stand up against bullies and let them know that name-calling and the use of certain words is unacceptable.
What are your thoughts? Will you stand up against antisemitism the next time you witness it? Discuss with your family or a trusted adult and make a plan now!
Preserving memories is an essential part of the human experience, and USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive contains over 55,000 testimonies from survivors and witnesses. These testimonies, in audio and video format, aim to educate future generations about the Holocaust and other atrocities. The Institute’s mission is to develop empathy, understanding, and respect through testimony, so that the next generation understands the importance of learning from the Holocaust and working towards a better world. The IWitness platform of USC Shoah Foundation features many of these testimonies, which were collected through recorded interviews to share the stories of survivors and witnesses. USC Shoah’s The Willesden Project combines testimony, technology, and music to reshape Holocaust education, inspired by the transformative power of storytelling.
Now, let’s try out some activities to learn more about combating antisemitism. You can explore these activities with a trusted adult or family member.
1. Watch a video from IWitness and USC Shoah Foundation to learn about the history of antisemitism and how it spread worldwide. Reflect on the types of antisemitism you observe in your community and discuss ways to fight against it with a trusted friend or family member.
2. Read Wonder #2672: What Does It Mean to Be an Ally? and watch the accompanying video in the gallery. Reflect on whether you consider yourself an ally and brainstorm a list of ways you can stand up to bullies and help someone who is being oppressed. Share your list with a trusted friend or family member.
3. Enjoy a Pop Up Storytime by watching a read-along of Hold On to Your Music. Reflect on how antisemitism impacted Lisa’s life and identify the lessons you learned from her story about the dangers of antisemitism. Write a letter to Lisa, expressing what her story helped you understand about antisemitism and how you intend to use her story to guide your decisions in treating others. Share your letter with a friend or family member.
4. Parents and caregivers, there is a resource developed by USC Shoah Foundation and Nickelodeon specifically for you. This guide provides support in discussing and countering antisemitism with children, making it a little easier to address this challenging topic.
For further information, you can refer to the following sources:
– Britannica Dictionary: https://www.britannica.com/dictionary (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– USC Shoah Foundation’s IWitness Historical Context: Contemporary Antisemitism: https://vhap.usc.edu/vhap.iwitness.appdata/historicalcontext/en/Contemporary_Antisemitism.pdf (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– Anne Frank House: Antisemitism: https://www.annefrank.org/en/topics/antisemitism/ (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– Parents.com: How to Talk to Kids About Anti-Semitism and Why It’s Important: https://www.parents.com/kids/responsibility/racism/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-anti-semitism-and-why-its-important/ (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– Facing History and Ourselves: Connecting History Today: https://www.facinghistory.org/why-facing-history/connecting-history-today (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– Religion News Service: Antisemitism and Jewish Education: https://religionnews.com/2022/11/22/antisemitism-jewish-education/ (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– Anti-Defamation League: Anti-Semitic Stereotypes Persist in America, Survey Shows: https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/anti-semitic-stereotypes-persist-in-america-survey-shows (accessed on 12 Dec., 2022)
– United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/ (accessed on 13 Dec., 2022)
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