Lesson Summary:

From the ADL- Anti Defamation League:

The surge of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States is alarming to many. There have been reports of upticks in anti-Semitic graffiti including swastikas. There have been several waves of recent bomb threats targeting Jewish Community Centers (JCC) across the country. To date, there have been 69 threats at 54 JCCs, in 27 states and a Canadian province. In addition, a recent incident occurred at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery, a historic century-old Jewish cemetery in University City, a suburb of St. Louis, MO. Vandal(s) toppled and damaged more than 170 headstones at the cemetery. In the face of these incidents, it is important to reflect upon how people act as allies, advocates and activists to do something on large and small scales to make a difference.
This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about and reflect on these current incidents, understand how people and groups can make a difference, and explore the various ways different people and groups can act as allies, advocates and activists in order to enact change.