Terminology guide

Antisemitism

This means being mean, unfair, or hateful acts or speech toward Jewish people just because they are Jewish. It’s a type of prejudice, like racism, but specifically against Jewish people.

Judaism

This is the religion of Jewish people. It includes their beliefs, traditions, and way of life. Just as there are different religions in the world, Judaism is one of them.

Stereotype

This is when people say something like “all Jewish people are the same.” That’s a stereotype and it isn’t true or fair.

Prejudice

This means judging someone or a group of people simply because of who they are. It’s like deciding you don’t like someone in advance just because of their religion, skin colour, or where they’re from.

Discrimination

This is when people you treat people unfairly because of who they are.

Holocaust

This was when a group called the Nazis killed millions of unarmed Jewish people, along with others, just because they were Jewish. The Holocaust was the systematic persecution and murder of six million Jewish people by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II (1939–1945). The Nazis also targeted other groups, including Roma, disabled individuals, and political opponents. The Holocaust was fuelled by antisemitism.

Scapegoating

This is when people blame a group for problems that have nothing to do with them. For example, if someone says Jewish people are to blame for something bad happening, falsely naming them as responsible for it, that’s scapegoating.

Tolerance

This means accepting and respecting people who are different from you. It’s about being kind and fair to everyone, although they are different, no matter that their religion, race, or background is not yours.

Diversity

This means there are many different kinds of people in the world, and that’s a good thing! Difference makes the world interesting and special.

Ally

This is someone who stands up for others outside their group when they’re being treated unfairly. If you see someone being mean to a Jewish person (or anyone else), being an ally means speaking up and helping.