The 5-Minute Guide to Handling Antisemitism When You Least Expect It

May 18, 2025

You’re standing in line at the grocery store. You’re in a group chat with people you’ve known for years. You’re at work. And then, someone says it. A comment. A slur. A joke that lands like a punch. You weren’t planning to be The Jewish Person today, but here you are.

Welcome to the five-minute guide to handling antisemitism in real time, because being Jewish shouldn’t mean staying silent.

1. Breathe First — Then Assess the Situation

In the face of antisemitism, adrenaline kicks in. Your brain might rush to explain, defend, or respond — especially if you’re used to being the Jewish one in the room. But before you react, breathe.

Take two seconds. Slow your thoughts. Is this person just ignorant? Or is it escalating into something more dangerous?

“Jews are expected to be walking history books and moral compasses,” says Talia Lavin, author of Culture Warlords. “But sometimes, your only job is to stay alive. That’s resistance too.”

If you’re in public and someone makes a comment, gauge your surroundings. Are others nearby? Is it safe to speak up? Are you cornered — or do you have an easy exit?

This is where self-awareness matters more than having the perfect comeback.
Sometimes, courage looks like walking away. Fast. And that’s okay.

You’re not failing your ancestors or your identity by choosing safety. You’re making sure you can speak up another day — with your voice, your story, your community still intact.

2. Ask

You don’t have to raise your voice to raise the stakes. Sometimes, all it takes is one question:

“What did you mean by that?”

This line disrupts the moment. It puts the onus back on the speaker — not you — to explain themselves. It’s calm, it’s non-confrontational, and it makes people realise their words aren’t invisible.

Antisemitism often hides behind sarcasm or “political opinions.” A simple question cuts through the performance.

“So much hate survives because it goes unchallenged,” says writer Eve Barlow. “But asking questions — even small ones — breaks that silence.”

And here’s the truth: you’re allowed to ask.

Even if you’re unsure. Even if you feel awkward. Even if it wasn’t directed at you.
Asking doesn’t make you sensitive — it makes you present.

Sometimes they’ll backtrack. Sometimes they won’t. Either way, you’ve shown them:
This isn’t a safe space for hate.

3. Call It What It Is

You can criticize a government without denying its right to exist. You can care about Palestinians without calling for a Jewish state’s destruction.

“When they say ‘Zionist,’ they often mean ‘Jew,’” writes Eve Barlow, journalist and activist. “And we’re done pretending they don’t.”

If someone uses coded language, say so. If someone parrots slogans like “From the river to the sea,” ask if they know what it means. Many don’t. Some do. Both matter.

4. Keep One-Liners Ready

Not everything needs a TED Talk. Sometimes, you just need a few phrases in your pocket:

“That’s not okay, and I’m not letting it slide.”
“You wouldn’t say that about any other group.”
“That line’s older than the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”

Bonus points if you say it calmly. Rage isn’t always your sharpest tool.

5. Follow Up When It’s Safe

If it was someone in your circle like a colleague, friend, or even a fellow Jewish person that you know, follow up. Not for them. For you. Send them a link. Tell them why it hurt. Open up the dialouge if they are willing to be open. Let it matter. You’re allowed to take up space.

6. Ask for Help — You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Whether it’s your Rabbi, a coworker, your school, or a stranger who overheard, speak up. You’re not causing a scene. You’re responding to one.

“Antisemitism thrives when we feel like we’re the only one in the room who sees it,” says writer Ben M. Freeman. “You’re not. And the more we name it, the less power it holds.”

7. Know What to Do If You’re in Real Danger

Sometimes, it’s not microaggressions. It’s aggression. If you’re being harassed, stalked, or physically threatened:

Get loud, get public: Move to a populated area.
Call for help: 911, campus security, or anyone you trust. Use your voice.
Document it: Even a quick video or voice memo can make all the difference.
Report it: To the police, the ADL, StopAntisemitism.org, or your school.

You’re not overreacting. You’re reacting. And that’s survival.

8. You’re Not Alone

“Antisemitism is a shapeshifter,” writes Dara Horn in People Love Dead Jews. “It adapts. It hides. It thrives on silence.”

But we’re not silent anymore. We’re loud. We’re visible. We’re still here. And sometimes, your shirt says what you’re too exhausted to.

✡️ Wear Your Values. Literally.

If you're tired of explaining your existence, let your clothing do it for you.

Explore our Zionist t-shirts, or Jewish pride hoodies because Jewish survival is not a secret. It’s a statement. And if someone has a problem with that? You’ve got five minutes. And now, you’ve got a plan.

If you’ve experienced antisemitism or hate crimes, we recommend reporting to: