The Central Council of Jews in Germany is advocating for nationwide training of teachers to address anti-Semitism. Central Council President Josef Schuster told the Tagesspiegel that early education is the most effective way to prevent anti-Semitic attitudes from taking root. He expressed hope that Germany would not experience a significant historical amnesia, allowing right-wing extremist parties to gain more support.
However, Schuster also emphasized the need for nuance, stating that not all Alternative for Germany (AfD) supporters can be reached. He noted that some AfD followers are motivated by political dissatisfaction, rather than anti-Semitic sentiment.
Schuster welcomed the move by the state of Bavaria to include anti-Semitism training in teacher education and expressed hope that other federal states would follow suit. He considered such a module in teacher training essential, not just for elementary and secondary schools, but also for teachers of specific subjects like biology and chemistry, who may be well-prepared for their subject matter but lack knowledge on how to react to anti-Semitic incidents, such as the use of the word “Jew”as a slur in a schoolyard.