The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has lodged a civil rights complaint against the Boulder Valley School District in Colorado. This follows allegations of antisemitic harassment occurring over several years within the district. Reported incidents involve Nazi salutes, mockery of the Holocaust, and a game dubbed ‘Jew touch tag,’ where Jewish students were reportedly chased. Parents and commentators have voiced their outrage over the district’s inadequate response to this severe bullying, which includes physical assaults and criminal referrals.
As the school year begins, many Jewish families express concerns that surpass typical preparations like buying new shoes or school supplies. They worry about their children’s safety owing to their Jewish identity. Schools serve as places where children learn not only academics but also their role in society and whether they will be protected by adults. A rise in antisemitic threats and violence puts this safety at risk.
Data from the New York Police Department indicates an 8.5% rise in antisemitic hate crimes in New York City over the first seven months of 2026, with anti-Jewish acts comprising the majority. This is significant given that Jewish individuals form only a tenth of the city’s population.
Antisemitism is not confined to New York. Nationwide, although Jewish people account for just 2% of the U.S. population, they suffer 16% of all reported hate crimes, and nearly 70% of religiously-motivated ones. Notably, 10% of these incidents occur in schools. Since 2020, antisemitic incidents in K-12 schools have surged by 434%.
The rising trend in antisemitism is dangerous for the entire community demanding a collective societal response. Cultural and political leaders are urged to address such threats publicly. Christian leaders, for example, convened an emergency summit in Jerusalem to tackle this global problem.
Online forums must enforce strict rules against incitement and threats. Studies show that 74% of Americans who faced antisemitism did so online or through social media. Many Jewish adults don’t report these incidents because they believe no action will follow. This concern extends profoundly to children who often bring what they encounter online into real life.
Schools, though unable to cure every societal failure, can exemplify how a free society manages hate. The U.S. Department of Education reminded educational institutions that Title VI prohibits discrimination, including against Jewish students, and requires schools to act swiftly against harassment creating hostile conditions. Administrators must explicitly declare antisemitism unacceptable in any form.
Education needs to extend beyond isolated assemblies following incidents. Students must understand the evolving nature of antisemitism across political movements, conspiracy theories, and social media to comprehend why targeting Jews harms civic life. Schools and law enforcement should have pre-emptive plans for threats, preserving evidence, engaging families, and ensuring student targets are protected. Treating credible threats and hate crimes with seriousness from the beginning is crucial.
Safety must be a public concern, not a private obligation for Jewish families. The Teach Coalition reveals Jewish schools spend over $400,000 annually on security, equating to more than $1,000 per student. These funds could otherwise benefit educational and support services. Public funding through programs like FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) helps, providing $274.5 million last year. Yet, with only 27% of applications approved in 2025, increased government support is necessary to match rising threats.
Community leaders should cease viewing antisemitism as an exterior issue. School boards, governors, mayors, clergy, union heads, parent groups, and cultural figures shape the narratives children learn. A collaborative approach calls for improved education, heightened security measures, legal accountability, responsible technological usage, and a moral resolve ensuring Jewish students can embrace their identity while learning.
Sydney Altfield, the CEO of Teach Coalition, collaborates with Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, and nonpublic school partners advocating for policies prioritizing students and families.
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