In classrooms across Greater Washington, antisemitism isn’t abstract. It shows up in hallway slurs, social media posts, and in the hard questions students bring to class. Teachers are on the front lines of these conversations—often without the necessary tools to respond.

This is more than a challenge; it’s a turning point. If we want to shape Jewish life and protect our community, we have to start where prejudice takes root: in education. This summer, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington helped bring Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO) back to DC for its first in-person Holocaust education seminar since before the pandemic.

Responding to an Urgent Need

At the University of the District of Columbia, more than 20 middle and high school educators from public, private, and Jewish day schools came together for four days of intensive learning. Using FHAO’s Holocaust and Human Behavior curriculum, they examined how propaganda spreads, how restrictions accumulate, and how silence allows hate to grow—lessons with chilling relevance for today’s classrooms.

They also practiced strategies to create trust and build classroom environments where difficult questions aren’t avoided but explored. “If teachers don’t believe they can do it, they won’t,” explained Jeremy Nesoff, FHAO’s Senior Director for District Partnerships. “Our goal is to give them the confidence, strategies, and resources to guide their students toward empathy and responsibility.”

Impact That Multiplies

Each teacher reaches dozens of students every year. Multiply that across a classroom, a school, a district—and one Federation investment this summer could change how thousands of young people learn to recognize and confront antisemitism. The impact doesn’t stop in one room; it spreads into every hallway and community those students touch.

For the teachers, the effect was immediate:

“The work that’s being done here will transform not only my community but all of our schools across the country.”

“This seminar allowed me to grapple with my own understandings and will allow me to grow as an educator and an individual.”

According to survey responses, every participant left better prepared to address antisemitism; 95% said the experience deepened their commitment to teaching; and all reported greater confidence in responding to antisemitism in their schools.

A Catalyst for Change

This summer seminar was more than just bringing FHAO back to DC—it created momentum for what comes next, laying the groundwork for district-wide training in Loudoun County and sparking conversations with DC Public Schools. FHAO is also exploring expansion into Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Prince William counties. “Working with knowledgeable expert partners, like Federation, who are plugged into the community is such a key for us,” said Nesoff. “Federation helped us open doors.”

Joel Frankel, Federation’s Senior Director of Community Capacity, added:

“Our funding for FHAO is one example of how we’re supporting parents and students in the fight against antisemitism in schools. Next year, we plan to bring together all our partners in this space—including FHAO, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), American Jewish Committee (AJC), and Anti-Defamation League (ADL)—to build on the relationships they’ve developed over time.”

Preparing Students for More Than Academics

Students in the DMV are returning to more than math and reading. They’re also navigating questions of belonging, justice, and identity. Thanks to your support, nearly two dozen teachers now have resources like FHAO’s Back to School Toolkit to create classrooms where every student feels safe to learn and engage.

In a moment when antisemitism feels more present than ever, we’re ensuring teachers—and the thousands of students they reach—are ready not just to teach but to help young people think critically and stand up to hate.