Maya’s Story — Finding Courage and Community

When Maya wore a Star of David necklace to school, she was met with stares and sarcastic remarks. A social studies teacher later assigned a biased article that vilified Israel, and when Maya respectfully challenged it, she was shut down in front of the class. The hostility grew, and eventually, someone carved a swastika into her locker.

We were devastated. But when we reached out to SHIELD, everything changed. They helped us navigate difficult conversations with the administration, ensured a proper investigation took place, and provided Maya with mentorship from other Jewish students who had faced similar challenges. SHIELD’s unwavering support gave our daughter the tools—and the courage—to stand tall. Today, Maya is not just surviving, she’s thriving, advocating for respectful dialogue and inclusion in her school community.