Every Jewish student deserves to enter the classroom knowing they are safe, supported and free to express their identity.
Yet antisemitism is increasingly disrupting that fundamental promise. According to the Jewish Students’ Bill of Rights, antisemitic incidents in K–12 schools have increased by more than 400% since 2020, and 71% of Jewish teens surveyed in the United States and Canada say they have experienced antisemitism since 2023.
In response, a coalition of leading Jewish organizations has released a clear framework to help schools and districts create educational environments in which Jewish students can learn without fear of bullying, harassment, bias or exclusion.
The Jewish Students’ Bill of Rights calls on schools and districts to:
- Equip administrators and staff to identify antisemitism and understand how it manifests in modern educational settings.
- Establish clear, transparent processes for reporting and responding to antisemitic incidents, with accountability and follow-through.
- Ensure that teaching about Jewish culture, history, diversity, the Holocaust, antisemitism and Israel is accurate and representative.
- Treat Jewish religious observances as excused absences and avoid scheduling school events on widely celebrated Jewish holidays.
- Protect Jewish students’ right to express every aspect of their identity, including their connection to Israel, without coercion, bullying or pressure.
- Present contested issues in a balanced manner rather than using the classroom to advance a particular political or ideological viewpoint.
Developed by Jewish Federations of North America, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, StandWithUs and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the document is more than a statement of principles. It offers schools a practical roadmap for protecting Jewish students and fostering learning environments grounded in safety, fairness and respect.
Jewish organizations, including local Jewish Federations, are available to help schools develop thoughtful policies, provide guidance on religious observances and accommodations, offer cultural classroom resources and connect educators and families with additional support.
Jewish students should never have to choose between their education and their identity. By putting these protections into practice, schools can ensure that every student is able to learn, participate and thrive.
