![]() ![]() ![]() I will do everything I can to be sure you are always safe. If someone ever tries to be a bully to you because you are Jewish, it is important for you to tell me and to tell your teacher. Some people may say these things to us just because we are Jewish. O For preschool children: You may begin the conversation with “sometimes people can say things that are mean and hurt our feelings. Having information is important to coping and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances. This is also very important for your children entering/returning to college. You can also empower them to ask about safety and security for all. You are also identifying trusted individuals to approach if they or someone they know or see is being victimized by bullying actions. When discussing the shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh and anti-Semitism, it is important to identify individuals who children and teens can trust should they be worried or overwhelmed by emotions and need someone to talk to about these. Discuss the book after it is read as a way to jump-start a conversation about a challenging topic. Consider reading one with your child or providing one to your teen. There are many children’s books for different ages that are available related to anti-Semitism. Help them identify adults they can trust should something be said or done when you are not around. Sometimes, the answer may be, “I don’t know why some people don’t like us/our Jewish friends, but it is never ok to say hurtful things to others.” Help children and teens come up with a response should anyone say or do anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. But, given recent events and a rise in anti-Semitic comments, discussing this with children/teens lets them know that you are willing to discuss difficult topics. No one wants to have to have a discussion with their children that people dislike them just for being Jewish or attending a Jewish place of worship or community center. Anti-Semitism is difficult for adults to understand. O Discuss anti-Semitism, again answering questions directly. Question-and-answer exchanges help ensure ongoing support as your child begins to cope with emotions related to recent events and their aftermath. Like adults, children/teens are better able to cope with a difficult situation if they feel they have information. Include in your answers any information you may have on efforts being made to assure safety (e.g., working with local responders, with experts in safety, and with Jewish community leadership and teachers about anti-Semitism, hatred, and discrimination). This may be a time to review plans your family has of assuring safety in the event of any crisis situation. For example, she may ask if it is possible that such a shooting and hatred could come to your congregation, to your community she is probably really asking whether it is “likely.” It is important to discuss the likelihood of this risk. Your child/teen may have some difficult questions about recent events. O Encourage your child to ask questions, and answer those questions directly. If you hear inaccurate information or misunderstandings from your child/teen, take time to provide the correct information in language your child/teen can understand. With traditional and social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, text messages, and news-breaks on favorite radio stations, and other avenues), it is highly unlikely that children and teenagers have not heard about the shooting at the synagogue, anti-Semitism and racism, and responses from our leaders around our country. Silence suggests that what has occurred is too horrible to even speak of or that you may not know about what has happened or even how to cope. Not talking about it can make the event even more threatening in your child’s mind. It is imperative that we talk to them about what is happening and what everyone can do. They will be turning to trusted adults for help and guidance. We may be struggling to make sense of what we are seeing and hearing in our country. ![]() We, of all people, know what the price of silence can be. Yet, the shooting reminds us of how white nationalist ideas and hatred fester and grow. As Jews, we have uttered the phrase, “Never again” in remembrance of the Holocaust. The debate on the issues has brought hatred out of the closet. It shook our ideas about the safety of the world around us. ![]() This event has evoked many emotions including fear, anxiety and worry, confusion, and even anger in many around the country. The recent shooting in Pittsburgh on International Religious Freedom Day sadly reminds us that anti-Semitism, racism, and hatred continue in our country. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. By Elana Newman and Gregory Leskin, Robin H. ![]()
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