Real-life stories
Antisemitism is a growing problem in UK schools. These experiences show how antisemitism has impacted different people in the UK, including children, parents and teachers.
*All names have been changed to protect their identity
The impact of antisemitism on British Jewish children
Learn about the impact of antisemitism on three British Jewish children, who have faced emotional and physical abuse because of their faith.
The full animation video these snippets are taken from will be released late November.
Angela’s* experience
‘My 13 year old son was threatened with beheading by older students at school because he is Jewish. It was totally unprovoked and he was terrified. The school police liaison interviewed the students and reported back to me that in all other respects they were model students and then I got an enlightening lecture about right wing extremism.’
Listen to Rebecca's story
Listen to Paul's story
Paul’s* experience
‘I’ve been teaching for about 15 years now. Since October 7th, it’s been on another level: graffiti, comments about Jews killing babies, Jews taking over the world, calling us Nazis and even spitting at us in the street. Lots of these kids are picking this up outside of school and via social media and bringing it into the classroom.’
Max's* experience
‘I see the stuff posted about us on Snapchat and TikTok all the time. I told my mum a few times, but she gets upset and I don’t want her to worry, so I just keep it to myself now. I just don’t understand why people are allowed to pick on us and nothing happens.’
Listen to Max's story
Josh's* experience
‘The Heaton Park synagogue attack changed how accepted I feel in the city for being a Jew. Suddenly we’re being made to feel separated from normal Mancunians, being attacked, and after the horrific antisemitism that followed, I and a lot of other Jewish people feel ostracised.’
Tessa’s* experience
‘As a second-year undergraduate student, I have been spat at and shouted at as well as not allowed to enter certain areas in the university. I have been told I should have “died in the gas chambers”.’