By Sarai S.
Sixth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
When I lived in Virginia, I was the only student in my class who was Jewish. My classmates often commented about my religion, which made me uncomfortable.
At the time, I did not fully understand the harm of these sentiments, and I do not think my classmates understood either.
The younger generation needs to understand why comments like these are harmful. Children should not be made to feel different, inferior or unwelcome because of their religious beliefs.
An understanding of how to respect other religions should be taught to the younger generation.
The Institute for Islamic, Jewish and Christian Studies (ICJS) in Towson helps the younger generation understand and appreciate religious diversity.
Says Ben Sax, an ICJS Jewish scholar: “I think kids can understand religious prejudice very easily. We really just need to give them examples and opportunities to think things through.”
ICJS focuses on religious equality and confronts all forms of religious prejudice. It works directly with educators to address religious prejudice in their schools and classrooms.
Teaching students to recognize the dangers of religious prejudice can be challenging.
“Religion is complicated and not always easy, but it can bring out the best in people,” Sax says. “The more you know about other religions and other people, the more you learn about yourself.”
Part of the ICJS’s mission is to teach empathy and to encourage people to see through the eyes of others.
“Before we help people see the world through others’ eyes, we teach people to actually see the world through their own eyes and help them understand what it is they think that they’re seeing,” Sax explains. “With children, I would do this by using examples.”
According to Sax, a good example would be if a non-Jewish child offered a Jewish child a ham-and-cheese sandwich without knowing the Jewish child’s practices. The Jewish child might feel uncomfortable with the offer, no matter how kindly intended. If the non-Jewish child could see the world through the Jewish child’s eyes, maybe he or she would know not to make such an offer at all, or maybe think to offer a different sandwich.
If the younger generation had a better understanding of different religions, religious prejudice would decline, especially as that generation ages and raises its own children. With help from organizations like the ICJS, our society could become more peaceful.
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