NYC program uses empathy and education to help high school students combat hate and antisemitism
By
By Amy Zimmer | June 9, 2026, 10:48pm UTC
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
A New York City program teaches high school students to combat hate and antisemitism through empathy and education. The article profiles Matthew Canzius, a Hillcrest High School sophomore who struggled with antisemitic thoughts after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and Israel's subsequent bombardments of Gaza. Through the program, he learned to confront his biases. The piece highlights that roughly 40% of NYC students report witnessing bullying based on race, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status, and examines how this initiative aims to address that through dialogue and understanding.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledCan a program for New York City high school students designed to fight hate change hearts and minds?
During his freshman year, he saw the fallout on social media from Israel's bombardments of the Gaza strip, following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
Roughly 40% of NYC students report witnessing bullying based on race, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status.
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