New York, NY, November 15, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has conducted several anti-bias and bullying prevention trainings at a Jewish high school on Long Island, making these activities the first-ever to be conducted at a Yeshiva.

Students from North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, a prominent private school in Great Neck, NY, were privy to a two-day training by facilitators from ADL’s A WORLD OF A DIFFERENCE Peer Leadership Program, which provides middle and high school students with opportunities to develop leadership skills through anti-bias and bullying prevention projects.

The sessions, which were conducted on site in September and October, aimed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and motivation to effectively challenge bullying behaviors, and insensitive remarks with the ultimate goal of fostering respect.

“We were tremendously honored to have ADL initiate its unique programming for our students so that they can be better equipped to not only learn about the negative impact of certain behaviors, but to fully understand the pitfalls of bias and bullying,” said Dr. Daniel J. Vitow, Headmaster of North Shore Hebrew Academy High School. “With ADL’s long track record in fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds, this was an ideal match for us to collaborate so that we can prepare our students with tangible means of combating bullying and bias.”

ADL’s program, which is designed for public schools, offers a two-day interactive training which provides students with the background, various resources and skills to respond to bias and bullying incidents, as well as a manual for peer leaders that includes suggestions and worksheets to create action plans. In addition, the initiative provides workshops for school-based coordinators of the program with a guide for best practices of implementation.

“It was deeply moving to hear that the students from North Shore Hebrew Academy were eager to move forward on an action plan with ideas such as videos to create awareness of the issue, and desire for more anti-bias training,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “We are excited at the potential of working with North Shore again in the near future.”

As a leading provider of anti-bias education, ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute provides customizable, interactive training programs that incorporate the latest research from the education field and are used by schools and community organizations throughout the United States and abroad.

 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY