The Ugly Resurgence of Antisemitism in School Sports: A Wake-Up Call for Society
It’s hard not to feel a chill reading about a 14-year-old boy, preparing for a swimming competition, only to witness a fellow student perform a Nazi salute. This isn’t a scene from a history textbook—it’s happening today, in 2026, in Melbourne. What makes this particularly fascinating, and deeply troubling, is how normalized such behavior seems to have become. Personally, I think this incident isn’t just about antisemitism; it’s a symptom of a broader societal decay in empathy and historical awareness.
The student, Eli, whose great-grandfather survived the Holocaust, ended the race in shock. Later, he cried. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just a child’s reaction to a slur—it’s a generational trauma being reignited. What many people don’t realize is that antisemitism isn’t just about hate speech; it’s about erasing history, dehumanizing an entire community, and creating an environment where fear becomes the norm.
One thing that immediately stands out is the frequency of these incidents. Eli’s principal, Dan Sztrajt, reports dealing with antisemitic incidents every five to six weeks in interschool sports alone. Online, it’s three times a week. From “Jew die” painted on school fences to slurs like “Jewish gassing association,” the examples are endless. What this really suggests is that antisemitism isn’t an isolated issue—it’s systemic, and it’s escalating.
A detail that I find especially interesting is Sztrajt’s observation that things have worsened since the Gaza war in 2023. This raises a deeper question: Are geopolitical conflicts abroad fueling hate at home? In my opinion, the answer is yes. But it’s not just about politics; it’s about how easily young minds can be radicalized when they lack historical context.
The Victorian Antisemitism Report 2025 highlights a staggering increase from 8 incidents in 2022 to 79 in 2025. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a crisis. And it’s not limited to Jewish students. As Rachel Holthouse, CEO of Independent Schools Victoria, points out, allowing one cultural group to be attacked opens the door for others. This isn’t just a Jewish problem; it’s a human problem.
What makes this even more alarming is the lack of preparedness among educators and coaches. Sztrajt argues that coaches, especially non-teachers, need more training to handle these situations. Personally, I think this is a no-brainer. If coaches are unsure how to respond to a student shouting “let’s go kill those Jews,” we’ve failed as a society.
Mount Scopus’s outreach program, where Jewish students educate non-Jewish peers about Judaism, is a step in the right direction. But is it enough? In my opinion, no. While fostering understanding is crucial, it’s only part of the solution. We need zero-tolerance policies, clear procedures, and consequences for hate speech.
This brings me to a broader point: education isn’t just about teaching facts; it’s about teaching empathy. Rabbi Shamir Caplan calls xenophobia a societal issue, not just a Jewish one. I couldn’t agree more. Whether it’s antisemitism, Islamophobia, or racism against Indigenous Australians, the root is the same: ignorance and fear of the ‘other.’
If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that we can’t afford to be passive. Schools, parents, and policymakers need to act—not just react. From my perspective, this isn’t just about protecting Jewish students; it’s about preserving the very fabric of our multicultural society.
As I reflect on Eli’s story, I’m reminded of a chilling truth: history doesn’t repeat itself—we repeat it. The question is, will we learn from it this time?
