Standing Up with SHIELD’s Support

When our daughter Rachel started her sophomore year of high school, we never imagined she would face open hostility for being Jewish. What began as subtle comments in the classroom quickly escalated—teachers allowed biased discussions about Israel, classmates mocked her faith, and a student-led presentation labeled Israel as a “colonizer” state, leaving Rachel isolated and anxious.

As parents, we were heartbroken and unsure of how to help. That’s when we found SHIELD. From the very first call, they treated Rachel’s experience with urgency and compassion. Their team walked us through every step—reviewing school policies, helping us draft respectful but firm letters to the administration, and even joining a meeting with school officials to ensure Rachel’s voice was heard.

But SHIELD didn’t stop there. They connected Rachel with Jewish student mentors, provided her with tools to speak confidently about her identity, and offered us resources on how to advocate for fair and inclusive education.

Thanks to SHIELD, our family didn’t feel alone—and Rachel found her strength. She returned to school with renewed confidence, knowing her story mattered and her rights were worth defending. We’re forever grateful.