Since 7 October 2023, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand has received a significantly increased number of formal complaints about antisemitic incidents in schools.
The nature of the incidents is highly concerning. We have provided support to families and offered programmes to schools, some of which have taken up those offers. We are also working with several other schools and teachers on preventative measures. We know anecdotally that the issue of antisemitism in schools is much broader than the formal complaints we have received.
To better quantify the problem, to ensure schools are appropriately dealing with antisemitism and putting steps in place to reduce the likelihood of those incidents happening in the first place, in November 2023 HCNZ launched a survey for parents of school-aged children to complete if they had or had not experienced antisemitism in their schools.
We are also engaging with the government, the Ministry of Education, the Human Rights Commission, and other organisations about the issue, how wide-ranging and severe it is, and what they need to do urgently as a consequence.
We are now conducting a follow-up survey.
This can be completed anonymously, but only one survey per family. Please also forward the survey to Jewish friends with school-aged children.
If you completed our first survey and do not have additional information there is no need for you to compete this follow-up. However, if you have new information to report please complete and submit the details.
The survey will close on 1 July 2024.
If your children experience antisemitism, please know we are here to help you. We will deal with any incident confidentially and only intervene as you wish.
Contact our CEO, Gillian Wess at ceo@holocaustcentre.org.nz
Thank you in advance.
