Antisemitism prompts retreat to Jewish schools

Australian Jewish schools have reported an increase in enrolments this year, with antisemitism concerns prompting parents to reconsider state education.

Principals and senior leaders at several Jewish schools say they have new enrolments this year from students who were leaving non-Jewish schools specifically because of rising antisemitism and often because of specific incidents at their former schools.

Some new students had experienced negative attitudes in a non-Jewish educational environment, while others wanted to better connect with the Jewish community at this time.

King David principal Marc Light said incoming students had disclosed a range of antisemitic incidents at their previous schools, from racial slurs in the playground to hostility to Israel from teachers in the classroom.

“We have had a few parents mention antisemitism in other schools as part of their rationale for seeking enrolment,” Light told The Jewish Independent. 

“[This has] included negative comments by classmates such as the use of "Jew" as a slur, and another being called a "baby killer". There was one prospective enrolment who refused to attend their school due to what the parents believed was an inadequate response to antisemitic harassment. I have also heard of consternation regarding the well-publicised case of an anti-Israel activist teacher at Prahran High School."

Susie Rosen, who leads Masada’s marketing, communications and community engagement, said Jewish students had transferred from public schools to seek a safer environment last year and again at the start of this year.

“We’ve had many students come to us who have experienced various forms of antisemitism and bullying,” she told The Jewish Independent.

“While a few families have specifically sought a safe Jewish environment for their children, many already had Masada on their radar. The primary exception is those who have transferred from other schools due to incidents of antisemitism.”

A spokesperson for Mount Scopus said there had been a significant increase in students from non-Jewish schools in 2024, although 2025 was more in line with previous years. The school had also noticed more parents enquiring about transferring their children during the school year, suggesting a feeling of urgency about changing schools.

Since October 7, Jewish schools have been a target for hateful graffiti as the tensions of the Israel-Hamas war are transplanted locally. In January, Mount Sinai College in Maroubra was vandalised with slurs including “Jew dogs” and “Fuck Jews”, while the phrase “Jew die” was painted on the wall of Mount Scopus early last year.

But the attacks do not appear to have prompted parents to withdraw their children from Jewish schools.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (NSWJBD) told The Jewish Independent that "many parents have raised concerns” about safety, particularly surrounding travelling to and from school campuses.

CEO Michele Goldman said NSWJBD is working closely with law enforcement to protect school sites by deploying a “highly visible” police presence, as well as the hate crimes team to deliver presentations to empower students to recognise and report hate crimes.

“A strong Jewish education sector is part of protecting our way of life and we are incredibly well served by a number of good quality Jewish schools in Sydney. We’ll continue to work with schools, government and agencies to build the community’s confidence in these crucial institutions,” Goldman said.

But Goldman also said the offering of connection and belonging in Jewish educational environments is counterbalancing security fears.

“Overwhelmingly the message we’ve heard from the community is that they won’t be intimidated by the antisemitic violence unfolding on our streets. Jewish people want to be together, to celebrate our culture and our shared values.

“For many people, this period has been a time to get more engaged with their community.”

Bialik principal Jeremy Stowe-Lindner said upscaling security infrastructure and guarding across many Jewish schools, including his own, has contributed to a feeling of confidence for both parents and students alike.

He believes Jewish education is an “antidote” to the current climate, with the school experiencing a “noticeable increase” in 2025 enrolments.

“What is palpable is that despite the negativity, the social media war, the CBD marches, graffiti and property damage elsewhere, the Bialik student walks into our gates, sees Israeli flags flying and celebrates our culture, identity and practice in a safe and nurturing environment,” Stowe-Lindner told The Jewish Independent.

“Jewish schooling is the antidote and the inoculation to the crisis affecting Jews worldwide, fortunately, beyond our gates.”

Sholem Aleichem College principal Reyzl Zylberman agrees – while safety is a concern, a desire to more strongly connect with Jewish values is just as critical to prospective families.

“It has certainly been raised more often by inquiring families in recent months that they are drawn to a Jewish school for their child in light of recent events, however for most inquiring families this has not been expressed as a driving force,” Zylberman said.

“More broadly, many families are drawn to Sholem Aleichem College because we instil in our students a strong understanding of and connection to yiddishkayt and help them to grow to confidently express their Jewishness in the wider world.

“We share in the understanding many families have that this is empowering for young people in our community, not only in the face of antisemitism, but every single day.”