Stories that move: confronting antisemitism in the classroom
An innovative educational and digital tool, "Stories That Move" encourages learning through sharing real-life stories and experiences in the classroom, allowing younger generations to reflect on the importance of combating antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.
At the opening of the IHRA plenary in London, a special session brought together experts from across countries and working groups to share how they are addressing rising antisemitism. One project stood out: Stories That Move—an initiative that helps young people explore antisemitism and other forms of discrimination in Europe today.
Based on videos in which young people talk about their own experiences of exclusion and discrimination, Stories that Move is a free online toolbox that trains pupils’ self-reflective thinking and encourages them to question their own thought patterns and attitudes. Available in 9 languages, the toolbox has had a unique impact on students in European classrooms.
Martina Pfistermüller-Czar, a teacher at Graz International Bilingual School (GIBS) in Austria, shared how she brought the project into her classroom. Within a short time of using the Stories That Move online toolkit, Martina saw that her students were thinking more deeply about antisemitism and discrimination. Sharing and connecting with real life stories in unique ways, her students felt inspired to take a stand against hatred in all its forms.
"The life stories made me think and now I want to act."
For Martina, using the toolkit in class marked a turning point in her teaching experience. Her students realized that antisemitism is not confined to history books. It exists here and now, shaping the lives of real people across Europe.
One story that struck them deeply was of 17-year-old Anna, a Danish teenager who no longer felt safe wearing her Star of David necklace in public. The revelation that Anna felt unsafe because of her Jewish identity in contemporary times left students surprised and unsettled.
This awareness became even more urgent after the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. Antisemitic incidents around the world increased—an escalation Martina’s students witnessed with growing concern.
“Stories That Move also introduces other voices—like that of 19-year-old Wael, a Palestinian student confronting islamophobic stereotypes in Germany. These stories, placed side by side, helped shift the conversation from confrontation to understanding,” explained Martina.
Wael’s story also sparked a discussion about the recent political shift in Germany. Recent election results have fueled concerns over the rise of right-wing political parties, anti-immigration and nationalist attitudes, restrictive asylum policies, stronger border controls, and a preference for cultural assimilation over multiculturalism.
What once felt distant has become personal, prompting difficult questions, powerful conversations, and a renewed sense of responsibility.
Remaining silent is not an option.
Anna and Wael’s stories prove that the power of the “Stories That Move” toolbox lies in sharing authentic voices. The people featured in the stories are not historical figures — they are teenagers like Martina’s students. For Martina, the experiences of younger generations make discrimination real, and that is what makes change possible.
“My students now want to encourage others to stand up, speak out, and challenge antisemitism and islamophobia wherever they see it. Remaining silent is not an option.”
Learn more about "Stories That Move"
“Stories that Move “ is an international cooperation project by the Anne Frank House Amsterdam, the OeAD program ERINNERN:AT in Austria, the Anne Frank Zentrum in Germany and other partners in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Ukraine.
As the author of Shoah through Muslim Eyes and the director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan University, Dr. Mehnaz Afridi is committed to finding new ways to encourage interfaith and intercommunal dialogue.
Government representatives, Holocaust experts, and survivors will gather in London to mark the 25th anniversary of the Stockholm Declaration, the founding document of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
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