What I tell Jewish teenagers dealing with rising antisemitism

What do I tell a Jewish teenager when his synagogue is being shot at? When she hesitates to wear her Magen David necklace at school? When their right to exist is questioned daily on social media?

These are not theoretical questions. They are the questions I grapple with when speaking to students in Jewish Student Union clubs, a program of the Orthodox Union’s NCSY youth movement that serves Jewish students in public schools across the United States.

Should I tell them to blame the pundits who traffic in conspiracy theories that place the world’s problems at the feet of the Jews? Should they direct their anger at those who remain silent while claiming to defend religious freedom and public safety? Should their energy be focused on fighting those who perpetuate this hatred?

JEWISH VOTERS FEEL ‘POLITICALLY HOMELESS’ AS ANTISEMITISM RISES ON BOTH SIDES

It would indeed be understandable if these students