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Antisemitism Explained Lesson Plan

ABOUT THIS LESSON

Introduction

Antisemitism has been drastically rising in the United States over the last 10 years. According to ADL’s survey 24 percent of American adults held antisemitic beliefs in 2024. Hate and harassment also plague our online social spaces where antisemitic images and messages are spreading like wildfires.

Since social media has become a primary source of information sharing among younger generations, it is imperative that we teach our students how to recognize antisemitic images to prevent further proliferation of hateful content.

In some cases, people share offensive material because of deep-seated hatred. But in many cases, people share content without understanding why it is offensive. Some people may look at an image filled with hurtful stereotypes and not realize exactly what it means or how harmful it is.

In this lesson, we look at recent examples of antisemitic imagery that has been shared on social media and we build agency in our students to take action.

We have placed Student Handouts and Student Videos in the sidebar that are the core components of this lesson plan. Note that additional optional resources are also available in the sidebar.

Guiding Questions

  • What makes an image or message antisemitic?
  • What are the common antisemitic tropes and stereotypes?
  • How can we help students recognize antisemitic content?
  • What can students do to stop the spread of hateful content?

Lesson components

  1. Social Context (5 mins)
  2. ACTIVITY: Image Exploration (20 mins)
    • Images without captions
    • Images with captions
  3. Reflection (10 mins)
  4. Take Action! (5 mins)

NOTE: Teachers, please remind students that they will be seeing and discussing disturbing images and sensitive subject matter. It is important that students understand the complexity of these themes so they can approach these topics with care and empathy.

Audience

Grade levels 6-8

Duration

45 min

Social Context

Definition: Antisemitism is prejudice against or hatred of Jewish people.

Begin the lesson with explaining the rationale for teaching about antisemitism. Use the language in the Introduction section above to contextualize why students should care about contemporary antisemitism and bigotry. Then have students look at the Student Handout: Data on Antisemitism in the sidebar.

Student Handout
Data on Antisemitism

Activity

In this activity, your students will analyze antisemitic images that appeared on social media or at recent protests.

First, as a whole class look at this image without captions and go through each of the following questions.

  • WHAT do you see in these pictures?
  • WHO is in the pictures? Do they have any special features or characteristics?
  • WHAT is the message in the images?
  • WHO do these pictures hurt? Who might they benefit?

A professor from a prominent American university posted this image on his personal facebook page in 2017. The meme references several conspiracy theories about Jewish people, many involving Jewish control and manipulation of certain aspects of society. The image uses a common antisemitic figure, the ‘Happy Merchant’ who has exaggerated features, including a large hooked nose and conniving expression. This figure is shown as a scheming and frightening individual with undue influence over economy, courts, war, medical innovation, media, and other fields. Though the professor claimed his facebook page had been hacked, he was subsequently removed from leadership positions, and he had to enroll in cultural sensitivity training.

Once as a whole class you completed the sample above, instruct the students to use the Student Handout: Antisemitic Image Analysis in the sidebar to analyze more images in small groups. Students do not need to complete analyzing all images, but should be able to do at least 3 sets

Student Handout
Antisemitic Image Analysis

Reflection

As a whole class, discuss the common themes that emerged from the image analysis activity. Ask the class how Jewish people were portrayed in these images. The classroom discussion will likely identify some of the most commonly used antisemitic tropes and stereotypes, including:

  • Jewish people are obsessed with money; Jewish people are undeservingly wealthy.
  • Jewish people use their intelligence maliciously to hurt other people.
  • Jewish people are associated with the devil, they are demonic therefore their power is a threat to the well being of everyone else.
  • Jewish people’s power extends beyond their population size; Jews are undeservingly influential; Jewish people are seeking world domination

Take Action!

As a whole class, have an open conversation about what students can do when confronted with antisemitic and bigoted content on social media. Explain to your students that they have a role in making a difference.

Tell your students that they can…

  • Talk to a trusted adult. You do not have to navigate antisemitism alone.
  • If you feel comfortable doing so, call it out! Explain to the person why the post, comment, or picture is antisemitic. This can be done in a gentle way, without further inflaming the situation.
  • Report the post, comment, or picture on the social media platform. Usually, this function is found when you tap the three dots next to the post heading.
  • A comprehensive list on how to file a report on the most commonly used platforms can be found on ADL’s website.
  • To report an antisemitic or discriminatory incident to ADL, use this form.