With a landmark review exposing the alarming rise of antisemitism in England’s schools and colleges, Becky Hunter-Kelm shares how she is teaching her own children about the Holocaust — and why, as followers of Christ, we cannot afford to look away.
I will never forget my Year 7 history lessons with Mr Smith, when we covered the Holocaust.
Learning about the systematic persecution and murder of an estimated six million Jewish people by Nazi Germany during World War 2 took some of my innocence, horrified me to the core, and changed me forever.
Wrapping my pre-teen head around the extreme nationalism and racist ideology of Hitler and the Nazi’s showed me how evil acts do not come out of nowhere, but from a gradual escalation of prejudice (forming an unfair opinion or attitude about a person or group of people before getting to know them, often based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality or other characteristics).
And prejudice gives birth to hate, which turns into discrimination (treating a person or group unfairly because of who they are or because they belong to a particular group).
A ‘generational moment’
This month, a new review into in England has revealed a ”shocking scale of antisemitism in British society”, reminding us that, as Christians, we must not only never forget the Holocaust, we must make sure our own children don’t either and that they understand that all races of people are created and equally loved by God.
Former Ofsted chief inspector Sir David Bell is leading the review into antisemitism in schools and colleges in England, and education Secretary Lucy Powell has called it a ”generational moment” to re-educate young people among whom she said the issue was ”particularly prevalent”. She also says it’s time to reeducate young people on antisemitism – and I think she is right.
As Christians, we must not only never forget the Holocaust, we must make sure our own children don’t either.
We should be deeply disturbed to hear of the hate faced by Jewish communities in England, particularly the students and teachers in schools and colleges. A BBC clip interviewing children at a Jewish school in Hertfordshire showed how they have to live under tight security. No one should have to go to school or work fearing for their safety because of their race or their religion.
I’m raising my own three kids outside England, which means they are learning from a blend of local and Cambridge curricula at school. It’s my responsibility to ”fill in the gaps” where they have not learnt certain periods of world history – including the Holocaust. This means I use historical books and textbooks at home when I can, even if it’s just reading a chapter over brunch on a Saturday.
House of Terror Museum
And when we were in Budapest this summer, I took my two older sons to the House of Terror Museum. It’s a powerful memorial to the victims of Hungary’s dictatorships – the Nazi invasion/Arrow Cross Party, and the communist Soviet Union. The museum itself is in a large building that was used by both regimes, and we visited the very same underground dungeons where political prisoners were interrogated, or worse.
One of the live videos playing in the House of Terrors was real footage from Auschwitz, and I was immediately taken back to that feeling of horror I experienced in Year 7 history, when I saw a similar video. My ten-year-old immediately shielded his eyes. I gently explained that, yes, it was horrific, but we must not look away.
As we walked around the museum, I explained propaganda to them.
I explained that Jesus said hate in our hearts is like murder and no murderer has eternal life in him (1 John 3:15). And that when we start to believe the lie that we are different or better than anyone else because of our race, this is where evil has the potential to grow. We must search our hearts and allow God to snuff prejudice with His love.
So, what changes does the new review propose, and how will it affect schools and colleges in England?
- Powell has stated Holocaust education will be ”updated and strengthened”, and new lessons will ”challenge some concepts of young people”
- Teachers will receive more dedicated training on antisemitism
- There is also a recommendation for a hotline for school leaders to get support on tackling antisemitism
- Finally, because now anti-Jewish hatred will be seen as a safeguarding risk, schools will have a stronger line of duty to address antisemitism as a threat to safety, not just through anti-racism or bullying measures.
Support for schools
Our first and greatest commandment from Jesus, who grew up as a Rabbi teaching Torah himself, is to ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ”Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39)
As the church, we have a responsibility to support these new guidelines and show support for our schools. In the face of antisemitism, may we show the unconditional and endless love of Christ to our Jewish friends, neighbours and colleagues, and in doing so explain to our children that we are to pursue justice for all people groups. God’s heart is for all people to be safe from discrimination and persecution.
God’s heart is for all people to be safe from discrimination and persecution.
I also recognise that, just because I took my kids to the House of Terror Museum, that doesn’t mean my job is done. I have more work to do. This kind of anti-hate work is deep work. It connects to many other topics, such as war, human rights, nationalism and national governments, and safe spaces are required for our children to think and ask questions.
As Christian parents and carers, let’s not leave this job solely to schools; let’s make our homes the safe space where these conversations can begin, and we can invite Jesus in, too.
How can I find out more?
Here are some other books and resources to explore antisemitism and the Holocaust with your kids:
- The Holocaust Educational Trust for age-appropriate learning materials
- Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl (Penguin) – a true story with teenage themes and a sad ending (recommended from age 11)
- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (Hodder & Stoughton) – this true story has strong themes of faith, courage and forgiveness
- The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions, Young People) is a fiction piece for ages 13+. I would read it with your child rather than letting them read alone, as it contains distressing content. Also, as it’s a novel, it has been criticised for historical inaccuracies, so it should be read together with real Holocaust survivors’ stories.
