Diaspora Jewish Educators Highlight Rising Antisemitism at Jerusalem Conference

Jewish educational institutions in the Diaspora have faced a dramatic surge in antisemitic incidents since the October 7, 2023, attacks, according to school leaders speaking at the inaugural Edunation international education conference in Jerusalem.

Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, principal of Bialik College in Melbourne, Australia, and Rabbi David Meyer, CEO of the British Jewish school network PaJeS, are among the prominent international figures attending the two-day event. The conference, hosted by the Jerusalem municipality, brings together thousands of educators, researchers, and policymakers from Israel and around the globe to discuss crisis education, technological innovation, and ties between Israel and Jewish communities abroad.

Security Challenges and Rising Antisemitism

Stowe-Lindner noted that antisemitic incidents at his Melbourne school escalated from roughly one every six months to multiple occurrences per week at their peak. Bialik College now allocates over one million Australian dollars annually for comprehensive security measures, including armed guards and lockdown drills, to protect its 1,100 students.

Rabbi Meyer, who also serves as a board member of the UK Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), highlighted the direct correlation between geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the security climate for Jewish communities worldwide. Despite facing online abuse and increased threats, both leaders emphasized resilience over fear, rejecting the notion of fleeing and underscoring their commitment to civic engagement in their home countries.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and Deputy Mayor Hagit Moshe welcomed the international delegation, emphasizing the city's role as a global hub for educational dialogue, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange.