A leading rabbi in Atlanta has sounded the alarm on the growing normalization of antisemitism among Jewish teenagers, where many no longer recognize antisemitic incidents when they occur. During a recent survey of Jewish students, the rabbi found that although antisemitism is on the rise, a majority of teens claimed they didn’t face such discrimination. However, when asked about experiences with antisemitic humor or stereotypes, nearly all students admitted to having encountered them, indicating a complex and alarming shift in perception.
This rabbi, who works with over 4,000 Jewish students through the Jewish Student Union (JSU) programs, emphasized that the issue goes beyond mere ignorance. He notes that antisemitism has become so embedded in school culture and online platforms that it no longer shocks or unsettles the younger generation. Instead, many Jewish teens are becoming desensitized and are learning to accept it as a routine part of life. This shift is alarming because it means that the next generation may not only fail to stand up against antisemitism but might also internalize it as acceptable behavior.
The rabbi’s concerns are echoed by the experiences of many Jewish students, who report being subjected to antisemitic jokes, stereotypes, and even anti-Israel rhetoric in their schools and on social media. Some teens have even asked whether they can remove the word