Dear John,

A teacher had elementary school children perform the Nazi salute in history class.

Students found swastikas carved into their desks and drawn on school walls.

A child told a Jewish classmate, “They’re going to put you back in the ovens.”

This isn’t happening somewhere far away.

These shocking events are taking place across America’s public and private K-12 schools now.

In a recent survey, nearly half of parents with Jewish children in independent K-12 schools reported that their children had experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism since Oct. 7. Nearly 50%. This is unacceptable.

Almost a third said there was problematic school curricula or anti-Jewish content in the classroom.

Several parents told us their children’s schools were unwilling to address antisemitism or take a public stance condemning it. One parent shared, “We’re leaving the school because they terrorize our children.” They are not alone. Many parents reported to ADL that they are seeking safer schools for their children. This is not ok.

John, if we don’t act now, classrooms risk becoming sources of harm rather than learning.

Too many schools are failing Jewish families by tolerating — or even spreading — antisemitism in their classrooms.

Parents are desperately seeking stronger, swifter responses from schools when their children or classmates experience harassment.

Your donation today will help ADL continue to lead in the fight against antisemitism, as we: