The Many Forms of Antisemitism
Have you, or someone you know, experienced antisemitism…
Antisemitism can appear in many forms and in various settings, impacting people’s feelings of safety, trust and loneliness. Identifying these experiences as unacceptable is essential for validation and support. Below is a breakdown of how antisemitism can be expressed in different areas of life, along with relevant coping strategies.
At Work
Has a colleague, manager or workplace made you the target of:
- Hateful comments in relation to wearing Jewish symbols or expressing your Jewish identity.
- Microaggressions or exclusion based on religious identity.
- Uncomfortable emails or verbal abuse related to Jewish heritage.
- Conflicting political views that promote antisemitic rhetoric.
- Bias or discrimination in hiring, promotions, or professional relationships.
- Vandalism, doxing or boycotting of your business or work space.
At School
Has a student, teacher, class or administration exposed you to:
- Antisemitic bullying, exclusion, name calling or behaviour.
- A sense of discomfort wearing Jewish attire, such as a kippah or religious jewellery.
- School work or assignments with antisemitic assumptions.
- Discriminatory policies or practices within the school environment.
- Lack of support or understanding when reporting antisemitic incidents.
At University
Has a peer, staff member, class or administration exposed you to:
- Protests or demonstrations with antisemitic chants, posters or imagery.
- Targeting or exclusion in academic discussions or student groups because of Jewish identity.
- Bias or hostility from those who promote or tolerate hateful speech.
- A fear of wearing Jewish symbols including a magen david, kippah, tzizit or other cultural specifiers.
- An increased sense of unsafety, anxiety or stress on campus.
- Challenges participating fully in campus life due to discriminatory events or attitudes.
- Increased loneliness or isolation from loss of friendships or conflict regarding differing views.
In Housing, Hospitals, Old Age Homes, Institutions and Public Spaces
Have people within your neighbourhood, housing situation or in a public area made you feel:
- Subtle exclusion or bias in community events or local services.
- Discriminatory housing practices, such as being refused rentals or property based on your identity.
- Unwelcome or unsafe in public spaces due to visible markers of Jewish identity.
- Harassment or hate speech in public areas, whether in local neighbourhoods, stores, or public transportation.
- Barriers to accessing community resources or facilities based on assumptions about your background.
- Delayed or inadequate care due to discrimination.
- Dismissive remarks about dietary needs or religious practices, such as requests for kosher meals or observing Shabbat.
- Staff failure to accommodate cultural sensitivities, or overlook complaints about offensive comments made by others.
Online or In the Media
As a result of the news, social media or other online platforms, have you experienced:
- Antisemitic content on posts, chats or forums.
- Hate speech, cyberbullying, doxing, threats or targeting due to your Jewish identity.
- Harmful portrayals of Jewish people particularly surrounding political or global events.
- Stereotypes that contribute to a negative public perception of Jewish communities and life.
- Distressing media coverage or harmful content that promotes misinformation or biased narratives.
- Isolation from friends due to posts that are discriminatory or antisemitic.