A leading rabbi warns that sensitivity to antisemitism is fading, calling for urgent education and pride-building among Jewish teens before indifference takes root. During an event in Atlanta, an overwhelming number of Jewish high school students reportedly dismissed the idea that they faced antisemitism, despite frequent exposure to harmful stereotypes and anti-Israel sentiment. While many initially expressed relief at the students’ responses, the rabbi quickly noted the more alarming issue: the normalization of antisemitism, where students fail to recognize its presence.
The rabbi, who interacts with over 4,142 Jewish teens annually through the Jewish Student Union (JSU), highlighted that students not only experience antisemitism but also internalize it as acceptable. This normalization has led to a generation of teens who are conditioned to feel exhaustion and isolation rather than outrage. The rabbi expressed concerns over the desensitization to antisemitism, which risks eroding self-worth and solidarity within the Jewish community.
The rabbi emphasized the importance of educating Jewish teens to recognize and respond to antisemitism with dignity and knowledge. Through the JSU’s programs, they aim to empower students to embrace their Jewish identity confidently and unapologetically. The rabbi stressed that the crisis is not just the existence of antisemitism but the community’s ability to recognize and address it. Parents, educators, and community leaders must work together to ensure that Jewish teens feel supported and proud of their heritage, rather than silenced or isolated.
The rabbi acknowledged the surge in antisemitism following the Oct. 7 incident, underscoring the necessity of Jewish resilience. He urged the community to pass this strength onto the next generation through pride, rather than fear. The future of Jewish identity in America, he noted, hinges on whether teens have the courage to stand up as Jews without shame or fear. The rabbi concluded that the most dangerous threat is a generation that no longer recognizes antisemitism.