Jewish groups release ‘Bill of Rights’ to protect K-12 students from antisemitism

Five major Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federations of North America and the Anti-Defamation League, released a “Jewish Students’ Bill of Rights” on Wednesday to address persistent antisemitism in K-12 schools. This initiative comes as antisemitic incidents in non-Jewish K-12 schools remained largely unchanged in 2025, despite a significant national decline. The document outlines six steps for schools to protect Jewish students, calling for administrators to be equipped to “identify antisemitism and the ways it manifests in modern educational environments,” and for clear reporting processes.

• The Bill of Rights advocates for accurate and representative teaching of Jewish culture, history, the Holocaust, antisemitism, and Israel.
• It also seeks to ensure religious observances are excused absences, avoid scheduling events on major Jewish holidays, and protect students' ability to express their Jewish and Israeli identities without bullying.
• Furthermore, the document emphasizes that educators and curricula should present contested issues in a balanced manner, avoiding the advancement of specific political viewpoints.

Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America, stated, “No child should have to choose between their education and their identity.”