Catholic and Jewish organisations to equip schools to challenge antisemitism

A government-funded project will teach secondary school teachers and pupils in the Archdiocese of Birmingham the skills to recognise and challenge antisemitism.   

Catholic schools will pilot the new scheme, which is funded by the government’s Department for Education.

“One of the most fundamental biblical teachings is that each one of us is made in the image and likeness of God,” Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley, consultor to the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, and Bishop of Leeds Marcus Stock, chairman of the CES, said in a joint statement.

The project will be delivered by the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s education service and the Catholic Education Service (CES) in partnership with the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD), which represents more than 200 synagogues and communal organisations.

The aim is that a successful pilot in a targeted area could be replicated across the archdiocese, ahead of a potential national roll-out. 

The award was signed by the new government yesterday, following former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to invest £7 million in tackling antisemitism in schools and universities.

The project will use focus groups to assess pupils’ exposure to antisemitic misinformation and conspiracies on online gaming and social media platforms and teach them how to recognise this content.

It will develop resources for teachers, including lesson guides and videos to be used in religious education (RE), personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) and citizenship lessons.  

The lessons will show why Catholic theology rejects antisemitism and encourages values of respect for others, fraternity, and solidarity, as well as helping pupils understand Jewish identities and experiences.

“In Catholic schools 10 per cent of curriculum time is dedicated to Religious Education, meaning alongside Catholic Christianity other religions like Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and world views are given more study time than in most non-denominational schools, contributing to community cohesion,” Archbishop Longley and Bishop Stock said.

 “The Catholic education sector within the Archdiocese of Birmingham therefore welcomes this opportunity to work in partnership with the Board of Deputies of British Jews on a pilot initiative to help benefit schools and communities at a time of heightened tensions across the country.”   

 “It is vital that schools teach young people to recognise and reject antisemitism,” said Phil Rosenberg, president of the BoD.

“The Board of Deputies is proud to work with the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Catholic Education Service to develop resources for Catholic schools, that will also help teachers deliver accurate, empathetic education about Jewish identity.  

 “We are grateful to the Department for Education for funding this important pilot, which has the potential to be scaled across the wider Catholic school community.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the commitment of the Catholic Church to taking real and meaningful steps to educate children against antisemitic hate.” 

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