Following the Oct. 7 attacks, antisemitism has surged, but the most alarming trend is its normalization among Jewish teens. A leading rabbi, who has engaged with over 4,142 Jewish students through the Jewish Student Union (JSU) programs, reports that many teens no longer recognize antisemitism when it occurs in everyday settings.
Despite experiencing harassment, students across Atlanta and the U.S. report encountering antisemitism in forms such as Jewish jokes, stereotypes about Jews controlling media, and anti-Israel sentiment, yet often fail to label it as hate. The rabbi highlights a growing problem: the normalization of hate is eroding self-worth and solidarity within the community, urging education and pride in Jewish identity to combat desensitization.
The rabbi calls for parents, educators, and community leaders to take action, teaching teens to recognize and respond to antisemitism with dignity and knowledge. With Jewish teens increasingly feeling the need to erase their identity to avoid discomfort, the rabbi stresses that the future of Jewish identity in America depends on instilling courage and confidence in the next generation.