12-year-old girl faces antisemitism
Antisemitism is scary, and it’s okay to feel scared, angry, or worried about it.
It used to feel so peaceful, so safe and far away from the rest of the world.
Australia was our little corner of security.
It used to be a place where Jewish people felt safe and protected from all the bad and all the danger.
But now, there’s no more ‘used to be’, it’s now a place with antisemitism rising.
It was a cold Motze Shabbos – Saturday night, and I was standing with two friends outside one of Melbourne’s oldest Shules, in my Shabbos clothes, waiting to be picked up, after a friend’s Bat Mitzvah Shabbaton.
A woman walked by and her little dog came over to say hello.
The woman turned to her dog and said: “Come on Ajax.”
I thought to myself, how funny, the dog’s name is a Jewish footy team.
She then continued to talk to her dog, and I was shocked as she said, “Let’s get away from these Genocidal Killers!”
I turned to my friend and our jaws dropped.
We were so stunned but said nothing.
We quickly went back inside the Shule.
It was a horrible experience.
It’s not fair that a Jewish girl just standing outside a Shule has to hear such mean and untrue things.
When I was speaking about what happened with my parents, my father asked me how I’m feeling and I said, “It’s a lie. I’m not a ‘genocidal killer’, I’m a proud Jew”, and I flexed my arm muscles.
My parents and my teachers always teach me to be respectful, kind, and proud of my identity, my values and my love for Torah and Israel.
Antisemitism is scary, and it’s okay to feel scared, angry, or worried about it.
But if a situation like this happens to you or you’re scared this might happen to you, remember that being Jewish is something to be proud of!
Through all the dark times that Am Yisrael has faced, we’ve always found ways to keep going, with strength, with unity and with hope.
Because we have Hashem with us, we have a beautiful way of life, and we never give up!
No amount of hate can take that away. Am Yisrael Chai!
Shaina Karnowsky ,Year 7, Beth Rivkah
How can parents help?
By Bruce Hill
Shaina Karnowsky’s experience outside a Melbourne synagogue highlights both the reality of antisemitism and the importance of strong family communication.
It’s important to establish regular conversations about Jewish identity, heritage and values.
Children with strong foundations in Jewish pride and knowledge are better equipped to respond to hate with dignity.
Discuss antisemitism as a reality in society, similar to other safety conversations, while emphasising it reflects the prejudice of others, not any failing in Jewish identity.
When such things happen, create space for children to express their feelings without immediately trying to fix the situation.
Shaina’s father asked how she felt, allowing her to process the experience.
Validate their emotions while reinforcing positive messages about Jewish identity.
Shaina’s response demonstrates a healthy defiance: “I’m not a ‘genocidal killer’, I’m a proud Jew.”
Practical steps:
Provide positive and joyful Jewish experiences at home
Connect children with Jewish peers and mentors who can provide additional support.
Consider membership in a Jewish youth group
Emphasise Jewish historical resilience and community strength.
Document incidents for potential reporting to authorities or community organisations.
Contact schools, CSG or community leaders when appropriate to address ongoing concerns.
As Shaina concluded in her piece: maintaining Jewish pride while seeking appropriate adult support represents the ideal response to hate encounters.