Issue guide
Responding to antisemitism: documentation, escalation, and public voice
A working guide for congregations, schools, and volunteer committees that need a consistent way to record what happened, decide who to involve, and speak publicly without escalating harm.
Start with consistent documentation
Most communities under-report, not because incidents go unnoticed, but because they are recorded in a dozen incompatible places — a text thread, a board email, someone's notebook. Adopt one intake format and use it every time: date and time, location, what was said or done in the plainest possible language, who witnessed it, whether anyone was physically threatened, and what was done in response.
Consistency is what turns isolated events into evidence. A municipal official who receives a one-page table of twelve dated entries will act differently than one who receives a passionate letter with no specifics.
Decide escalation before you need it
Write down, in advance, which situations go to law enforcement, which go to a school administration, which go to a platform's trust-and-safety team, and which are handled internally. Agreeing on these thresholds while everyone is calm prevents the most common failure: a well-meaning individual acting alone during a crisis.
- Immediate physical threat or vandalism — law enforcement first, then leadership.
- Incidents inside a school — documented request to administration with a deadline for reply.
- Online harassment — capture URLs and screenshots before reporting; content disappears.
- Ambiguous or rhetorical incidents — internal review before any public statement.
Speaking publicly
Public statements work best when they are short, factual, and name a specific ask. Describe what occurred, state the harm plainly, and say what you want from the institution being addressed. Avoid speculation about motive and avoid identifying minors. Where possible, release statements jointly with interfaith or civic partners — see our guide to building those relationships in advance.
Support for the people involved
Response planning tends to focus on institutions and forget individuals. Designate someone whose only job is follow-up with the person or family affected: a call within twenty-four hours, a check-in a week later, and a clear point of contact if anything recurs.
Where to go next
If your immediate concern is physical safety at your facility, continue to community security. For help adapting this guidance to your community, contact the JCAC advocacy team, or read more about the Council's programs at jcac.org.