Introduction to Empowered Parents
It’s a difficult and emotional subject to talk about: antisemitism in schools. Even if you get a meeting with the principal after an alleged antisemitic incident, what do you say? Should a student be punished? A teacher fired? Should parents seek curriculum changes? What’s the role of freedom of speech?
The Need for Empowered Parents
A new Palm Beach County program aims to give parents and other caregivers the skills to tackle these conversations with knowledge and confidence. Empowered Parents, a free series of classes, is set to teach adults to advocate for Jewish students, converse with administrators respectfully and make sure kids feel safe at school. The program, created by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and offered in partnership with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, began in New York in May 2023 and has been spreading around the country.
Antisemitism has exploded since 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
The Rise of Antisemitism
That year saw a record-breaking 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The following year was also unprecedented, with 9,354 recorded events. Incidents also arose in Palm Beach County schools. Kimberly Coombs, the district’s K-12 Holocaust studies planner who also works on antisemitism issues, said she gets reports about once a week about on-campus interactions, which she shares with the administration, Jewish federations and the ADL.
Addressing Antisemitism in Schools
Coombs said these incidents usually end with a consequence for the offending student: Recently, a seventh-grader who drew a swastika on a table got suspended for four days and had to complete several assignments related to the history of swastikas and the impact of hate speech. Boca Raton parent Joanna Drowos, a co-chair of the Empowered Parents program with her husband, Bryan, said they have been following the Israel-Hamas conflict and its ripple effects closely. Her kids are in middle and high school at a secular private school.
Empowered Parents Program
An opening reception for Empowered Parents, set for Oct. 22, is expected to feature the school district’s Coombs and Laura Shaw Frank, vice president of the American Jewish Committee’s Center for Education Advocacy. The program will follow up with three classes beginning in February that will explore the following topics:
Session 1 — Advocacy
The first class will take a look at real-life scenarios that have been coming up on campuses and offer strategies on how to begin conversations with school administrators.
Session 2 — Effectively Discussing Jewish Identity
In this session, “participants will gain insight into how schools can approach these issues in more nuanced, inclusive ways, fostering a deeper understanding of Jewish history and identity,” according to the AJC.
Session 3 — Israel and the Middle East: Understanding Terminology and How to Discuss It
This class is designed to give caregivers essential knowledge about Israel and show them how to offer layered approaches to teaching about the country’s conflicts, encouraging “balanced and nuanced conversations that are rooted in historical fact and take into account the different narratives that different communities bring to the table,” according to the AJC.
The Importance of Empowered Parents
These dialogues are essential for teaching the general student population about their Jewish peers, said Debbie Koristz, the AJC’s associate director of advocacy and programming. “Two years after Oct. 7, antisemitism continues to skyrocket,” Koristz said. “This is an opportunity for parents and grandparents to get the tools to have real conversations that move the needle.”
Event Details
IF YOU GO
- WHAT: Empowered Parents opening reception
- When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22
- WHERE: Location given after registration
- COST: Free
- RSVP: Required by Oct. 20; call Debbie Koristz of the AJC at 561-994-4776 or email koristzd@ajc.org
- INFORMATION: ajc.org/palmbeach
Conclusion
The Empowered Parents program is a vital initiative that aims to equip parents and caregivers with the necessary skills to address antisemitism in schools. By providing a platform for respectful conversations and education, the program hopes to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students. As antisemitism continues to rise, it is essential for parents and grandparents to take an active role in advocating for their children and promoting understanding and acceptance.
FAQs
- What is the Empowered Parents program? The Empowered Parents program is a free series of classes designed to teach parents and caregivers how to advocate for Jewish students, converse with administrators respectfully, and ensure kids feel safe at school.
- What topics will the program cover? The program will cover three topics: advocacy, effectively discussing Jewish identity, and understanding Israel and the Middle East.
- How can I register for the program? You can register for the program by calling Debbie Koristz of the AJC at 561-994-4776 or emailing koristzd@ajc.org.
- Is the program free? Yes, the program is free.
- What is the goal of the Empowered Parents program? The goal of the program is to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students by promoting understanding and acceptance.
