SPEAK UP-Intervention and Crisis-management following Antisemitic Incidents

ended

Antisemitism is widespread throughout Germany and Europe. More subtle forms of antisemitism have been increasingly overshadowed in recent years by outright hatred, and a willingness to resort to verbal and physical violence against Jews. The persistence of antisemitic resentment across society and the rise in the number of non-prosecutable antisemtic offenses, illustrate an underlying growing antisemitic threat. Antisemitism appears most visibly manifest in schools, public spaces, sport, and online (see FRA, 2018). Despite the current situation, there remain significant gaps in antisemitic incident handling knowledge - especially in schools. Moreover, only a small amount of the limited professional support available to those affected by antisemitic violence reaches its target group. The discrepancy between the self-perceived widespread reach of counselling centres in Germany, and their failure to adequately involve the structures of Jewish communities is apparent. SPEAK UP aims to educate and qualify professionals (primarily educators, social work professionals, sporting trainers and instructors) dealing with antisemitic incidents in schools, sports, and online through well-established training methods. Furthermore, the project will develop innovative and accessible counselling formats for Jewish community structures, and offer coaching for management and board members, social workers, youth educators, and Jewish families across Germany. In addition, SPEAK UP aims to reduce the gap between Jewish and non-Jewish perception of antisemitism through public discussion forums, online campaigns, and specialist publications; and to raise awareness of the effect of increasing antisemitism in society. Further outcomes of the project include the production of a practical handbook on crisis management following antisemitic incidents and a digital guide for those affected. This project is a cooperation of ZWST e.V., OFEK e.V and Deutsche Soccer Liga e.V.