When encountering an antisemitic act, knowing what to do or say can be challenging and uncomfortable. To help you navigate this process, we have compiled a list of ways for you to actively respond – nationally, in your local community, on university campuses or online – that will help fight anti-Jewish hatred wherever you may encounter it.
In Your Local Community
Ask your Congressional members to support legislation protecting American Jews and supporting Israel
Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to urge them to sponsor and support bills and enforce current laws for protecting the safety of Jewish Americans and our nation’s close ally, Israel. Examples include:
• Enforcing civil rights protections for Jewish students
• Providing security grants for Jewish community centers and synagogues
• Holding social media companies accountable for anti-Jewish discrimination on their platforms
• Sanctioning Iran and its terrorist proxies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah
• Applying tighter oversight of American funds to United Nations agencies, especially UNRWA
• Supporting Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense shield and other equipment necessary to defend the Jewish state
Congressional representatives respond best to personally written emails.
When you see or hear someone spewing anti-Jewish vile or making threats against Jews, whether in person or on social media, alert the proper authorities. Americans must confront all forms of anti-Jewish hatred. A long history of silent ‘bystanders’ did not speak up or intervene when Jews were targeted. Today’s bystanders fuel antisemitism, and their silence has not served Jews well. Americans carry a civic responsibility to take a forceful stance against anti-Jewish hatred. Verbal and physical assaults against Jews must be called out quickly – on campus, in the workplace, on social media or in conversations.
Take active steps to inform and educate your family, friends and colleagues on the major issues and threats American Jews are facing today – including support for the Jewish state. Review our Talking Points and Facts. Also, share relevant news articles and videos to help provide a deeper understanding of these complex issues. Conversations with family, friends and colleagues are an opportunity to educate and inform. The more individuals understand, the less inclined they will be to adopt one-sided perspectives and believe false and biased narratives. Engage in open and respectful discussions, emphasizing the nuances of the situation and encouraging critical thinking.
Do you possess a useful skill that can contribute to an existing organization? Maybe you are, or know, someone who can provide legal aid, financial services or communication expertise. There may be an opportunity for you to assist in hands-on activism or aid those who do.
Active civic participation helps encourage changes in your local community. By becoming a board or council member, you gain a direct channel to influence local policies, advocate for educational improvements and shape community development. Attending meetings also is crucial – your voice can add a valuable perspective that is not currently being heard. Check out the ADL Toolkit for Responding to Extremist Disruptions at Public Meetings for recommended actions.
Contact your state representative, senator and other elected or appointed officials to sponsor and support bills and enforce current laws for protecting the safety of Jewish Americans and our nation’s close ally, Israel. Examples include:
- Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism
- Opposing the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel
- Challenging one-sided anti-Israel resolutions, such as ceasefire demands
- Enforcing civil rights protections for Jewish students
- Sponsoring business development with Israeli companies
- Partnering with Israeli cities and towns
On University Campuses and At Local K-12 Schools
As a parent, you are not alone or defenseless in the face of antisemitism. Whether you have children in K-12 schools or on university campuses, there are key actions you can take to become more involved in your son or daughter’s school experiences. You can use your voice to become influential in your local community and ensure all classrooms are safe places to learn.
- Be involved: Attend or join PTA and local school board meetings and make your concerns heard.
- Speak with your children after school and ask them about their day. Listen for clues that could indicate incidents of bullying, hatred and discrimination. Take appropriate action and contact school administrators immediately if your child was the target of antisemitism and hatred.
- Stay in regular contact with teachers and principals to ensure that lines of communication remain open when you do need to address an issue on behalf of your child.
How to talk to children about antisemitism.
As a student, you are not alone or defenseless in the face of antisemitism. Whether you witness or personally experience anti-Jewish threats or actions, there are resources you can access to report dangerous behavior – protecting yourself and other students around you.
- Know your civil rights as a student, and how they can protect you.
- Educate yourself on best practices to combat anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hate on campus.
- Tell your alma mater to speak out and address antisemitism on campus.
- Connect with student organizations that provide support and resources for Jewish students: Club Z, Students Supporting Israel, Jewish on Campus, Alums for Campus Fairness and more.
- In addition to contacting university police as needed, the ADL, StandWithUs and Stop Antisemitism provide online forms for students and staff to report a complaint.
- Text “CALLhelp” to 51555 or reach out to the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (joint initiative of The Brandeis Center, ADL, Hillel International and Gibson Dunn) to report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism, or violence.
Many Jewish organizations provide support, education, resources and reporting tools to help Jewish students feel safe and empowered on their campuses. Examples include:
- Hillel International: Find a Hillel on campus
- Chabad on Campus: Find a Chabad on Campus
- StandWithUs resource for middle school students: org
- ADL’s Not on My Campus campaign to counter antisemitism on university campuses
- AJC’s Action Plan for Public School Administrators
Students who experience antisemitic harassment, discrimination and other violations of their civil rights on campus can seek legal support from the The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law
Jews should be able to attend class in person, walk around campus and proudly display their identity without fear of violence, intimidation and harassment. Non-Jews must lend solidarity and support and can foster unity and understanding by learning about Jewish history, customs and beliefs and challenging stereotypes – opposing anti-Jewish hate wherever it appears. A visible show of unity displays a sense of belonging and creates a society where everyone feels accepted, respected and valued.
Demand that universities take immediate action against instances of anti-Jewish hatred on campus to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. Urge administrators to strengthen protections for Jewish students by enforcing their policies, conducting external reviews of anti-discrimination policies and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. For guidance, reach out to Hillels or other Jewish campus organizations, which often have established relationships with key administrators, and maintain respectful communication. Administrators must be held accountable for their actions – and inaction.
The ADL created a template – Harassment that Creates a Hostile Environment – that can be integrated by universities into their existing codes of conduct. It addresses targeted attacks against individuals based on identifiable characteristics, including religion, ethnicity and national origin. The ADL also is calling on all campus leaders to ensure that their existing codes of conduct are enforced.
Online
When you see or hear someone spewing anti-Jewish vile or making threats against Jews on social media, report or flag the post and alert the proper authorities. Reporting empowers them to investigate, take preventive measures and hold perpetrators accountable. Here are steps you can take to contact social media companies to report anti-Jewish hate content:
- Report or flag the post; this option is usually located near the post or comment
- Choose the appropriate category for your report, such as hate speech or harassment
- Provide as much detail as possible about why you are reporting the content
- Submit the report
Major Jewish organizations also offer resources for reporting antisemitic incidents, occurring both online and offline: ADL, Combat Antisemitism Movement, StandWithUs.
When you see or hear misinformation, consider correcting it via a letter to the editor of a newspaper or by tagging news organizations on social media. Use civil, respectful language.