Antisemitism is not an opinion. Handbook for educators in preschool and early school education

The second publication in the series “Antisemitism is not an opinion” is a collection of educational workshop scenarios focused on teaching about minorities in a way that is free from prejudice and stereotypes. Its main aim is to support educators in creating a safe and open space for discussions about diversity, as well as in fostering attitudes based on respect and equality.

The starting point for developing the workshop scenarios was the findings from an analysis of educational materials, which showed that minorities – including the Jewish community – are often presented in a simplified, stereotypical way or limited to historical contexts and experiences of violence. The publication responds to these gaps by offering tools that help challenge these patterns of thinking and broaden perspectives.

The scenarios included are workshop-based and rely on the active participation of those involved. Their aim is to:

• developing awareness of prejudice and the mechanisms behind its formation,
• building empathy toward people belonging to diverse minority groups,
• strengthening skills in dialogue and intercultural communication,
• supporting critical thinking in relation to stereotypes present in education and the public sphere.

The publication emphasizes that education about minorities should not reinforce images of “otherness,” but rather highlight their diversity, contemporaneity, and agency. The scenarios have been designed to be used in a variety of contexts – from formal education to community-based initiatives – and to provide practical support for those who wish to deliver inclusive and anti-discrimination education.

The publication emphasizes that education about minorities should not begin only at later stages of schooling, but precisely at the moment when children are forming their first associations and patterns of thinking. That is why the scenarios have been designed to introduce more complex topics in an accessible and safe way, without reinforcing stereotypes or oversimplifications.

It is a practical tool for teachers, educators, and those working with children, supporting inclusive education – one that not only conveys knowledge but also shapes attitudes.

The publication was created as part of the project “Anti-Semitism is not an opinion,” implemented under the Citizens for Democracy program, funded by the EEA Grants, as well as by The Kronhill Pletka Foundation, the International Council of Jewish Women, the Network of East-West Women, and with the support of grants from Kenneth Slater, Allen Haberberg, Shalom Levy, and Michael Traison.