Why Do We Start So Late?

Earlier this year, I traveled to Princeton, New Jersey to meet with Lynne Azarchi and Harlene Lichter Galen, authors of  Countering Antisemitism: A How‑To Guide for Youth (8–18), Families and Educators. The two met while working on anti-bias programming in a New Jersey after-school setting and, during the height of COVID, began noticing a troubling rise in antisemitic bullying and bias targeting younger students.

In this episode, Lynne and Harlene reflect on their personal encounters with antisemitism and how their professional work with children across diverse backgrounds informed the book’s evidence-based approach. Central to their framework is the importance of helping children identify trustworthy adults who can support them in navigating antisemitism with confidence, compassion, and pride.

They also speak candidly about navigating political differences around Israel within their own families, and explain why the strategies outlined in the book remain effective regardless of political perspective. Both emphasize the urgency of beginning this work early—during elementary school—rather than expecting teens and young adults to face these challenges on their own once they reach college.