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OCTOBER 7TH
The Massacre of October 7 marks the horrific events when Hamas invaded Israel's sovereign borders and carried out the most heinous acts of terror against civilians, marking the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust.
The massacre of over 1200 Israelis and the brutal kidnapping of 252 people (including babies, women, girls, boys, men, and the elderly) - many of whom were held in brutal captivity for more than 780 days - has profoundly impacted communities worldwide, including Jewish students, staff, and families in every city and country around the globe.
Compounding the pain of this anniversary is the fact that many anti-Israel groups plan and implement K-12 events to celebrate the Hamas attack.
We urge school administrators, principals, school board members, and district staff to take proactive measures to protect the emotional well-being and safety of your students and staff during this critical and vulnerable time.
INSIGHTS
Many students may still be grappling with grief over the loss of loved ones, the collective trauma of the attacks, and the added weight of religious holidays and obligations that occur on the Jewish Calendar during this period: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah and Shmineih Atzeret.
We encourage schools to utilize the resources provided to ensure that Jewish students feel safe, respected, and included.
The Importance of Sensitivity
October is a particularly challenging time for Jewish students, especially with the one-year commemoration of October 7th coinciding with major Jewish holidays.
Educators and administrators must be aware of the increased need for sensitivity and understanding in dealing with Jewish students.
Safe & Quiet Spaces for Reflection
Schools should provide Jewish students with quiet spaces for prayer, reflection, or emotional relief.
These spaces are critical during the commemoration of October 7th, when some students may need a break from school activities.
Why This Should Matter to You
Recognizing the emotional and cultural significance of this period for Jewish students is vital for creating an inclusive and supportive school environment.
By adopting policies that reflect empathy and understanding, schools can help Jewish students navigate their academic responsibilities while honoring their cultural and emotional needs.
Counseling Support for Trauma
Many Jewish students may be dealing with post-traumatic stress related to the violence of October 7th, especially if they have family ties to Israel.
School counselors should be prepared with trauma-informed practices to help students navigate these challenges.
Flexible Academic
Deadlines
Offering Jewish students the flexibility to postpone assignments and exams during the High Holidays and the October 7th commemoration period ensures they can participate fully in their religious observances without academic penalties.
Awareness & Training for Educators
Educators should receive training on the cultural and emotional significance of Jewish holidays and the impact of October 7th on their Jewish students.
Schools can provide professional development sessions to ensure educators approach these subjects with the sensitivity and respect they deserve.
october 7th documentaries
These documentaries should be used in coordination with teacher training. Some of these films may not be appropriate for children under the age of 16.
Some were held hostage in Gaza. Others watched their parents be murdered before their eyes. One survived by pretending to be dead beneath his mother’s body. One 11-year-old girl recalls being forced to sit next to her sister’s lifeless body.
In a series of intimate, unscripted conversations, Montana Tucker sits down with eight children - ranging in age from 9 to 17 - who recount, in their own words, the horrors they endured that day.
The documentary offers no narration, no statistics, no political framing — only the voices of the survivors themselves. Through these harrowing testimonies, the film strips away headlines and politics, revealing something far more enduring: truth through the eyes of children.
Another, just 12, speaks about being kidnapped and beaten after being dragged across the border. A teenage girl reads a final message she never got to send her murdered father. These moments are devastating, but they are also full of strength and resilience. As Montana Tucker observed, “These children don’t wallow — they endure. They grieve — but they also laugh.”