The first step is to give yourself permission to pause and recognize what happened. Antisemitism can be direct – an offensive comment, a threatening message, or an act directed at you or those close to you – or more indirect, such as a joke disguised as “humor,” being ignored, or a repeated dismissive or hostile atmosphere toward Jewish identity. You do not need to immediately know how to name exactly what happened or why it feels upsetting. It is enough to notice that something crossed your boundaries. Such an experience can bring up many different feelings at the same time, including confusion, self-doubt, anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, numbness, or even physical symptoms. All of these are understandable reactions in a situation where your identity or sense of safety has been shaken. Treat yourself with kindness and try to accept your feelings without judgment – feeling hurt, exhausted, angry, or afraid reflects the experience, not who you are as a person. Antisemitism is the result of other people’s prejudices and the structures that sustain them. Antisemitism does not say anything about you – it reflects another person’s prejudice and the systems that uphold it. You can begin to process the situation by asking yourself: • What just happened to me? What was said, done, or left undone? • How do I feel right now – in my body and in my mind? • Is this situation connected to my Jewish identity or background, or to assumptions about it? • What would I say to a friend if the same thing had happened to them?

The next step is to assess whether you are safe right now – whether the situation is face to face, online, at work, or in your place of study. If the situation feels threatening or is escalating, your safety always comes first. If you are in immediate danger, always call the emergency number 112. If you are unsure what qualifies as an immediate danger, you can read more on our support page. In practical terms, you can for example: • Walk away – to another room, across the street, or out of the situation. • End the conversation: “I’m not continuing this conversation,” or simply remain silent and leave. • Close the phone, app, or browser if the situation is online. Mute or block the account.• Move closer to someone safe – a friend, colleague, shop employee, or passerby. However, not every situation requires leaving. Antisemitism often appears in everyday moments – at a coffee table, in a meeting, in an online discussion, or in a school hallway – where the situation may still feel safe enough to respond. In these situations, you may choose to address it directly. For example, you can: • Ask what the other person meant. Sometimes a simple question is enough to interrupt the situation and make visible what just happened:“What do you mean by that?”“Why did you say that?”“Can you explain what you mean?”This can prompt the other person to pause and articulate their thinking – and you do not need to argue back. • Name what you heard or experienced. You can calmly describe how it felt to you:“That comment felt antisemitic.”“What you just said was offensive.”“I don’t know if you meant it that way, but that repeated an antisemitic stereotype.” • Set a clear boundary.“That’s not okay.”“I don’t accept that kind of language.”“Stop.” • Invite others present into the conversation. If other people are there, you can turn to them:“Did you hear that too?”“Did that seem okay to you?”Activating bystanders can change the dynamics of the situation and make it clear that it is not only your interpretation. You might also consider in the moment: • Is this a situation where it is safe for me to speak? • Do I want to respond now – or raise the issue later, for example in private? • Is there someone present who could support me? Responding to the situation does not mean you need to “win” an argument or change the other person’s mind. Sometimes a simple question or a short statement is enough – it makes visible what happened and reminds both you and those around you that antisemitism is not acceptable.

One of the most important protective factors after experiencing antisemitism is not being left alone with the experience. Who you can talk to: • A friend, family member, or partner. • A trusted colleague at work or in your studies. • A member or staff member of a community or congregation. • A support line or crisis helpline – if speaking face to face feels difficult. • A mental health professional (psychologist, psychotherapist, or crisis worker). If you are not sure how to begin, you might say, for example: • "Something happened to me that felt antisemitic. I would like to talk about it." • "I'm not entirely sure what to think about it yet, but I would like to tell you what happened to me." You might also reflect together with someone you trust: • How did I feel during the situation – and how do I feel now? • Is there something I would like to do about the situation – or is it enough right now that someone listens to me? Simply having someone listen and take your experience seriously can lighten the burden and help you process what happened. You do not need to know what the next step should be – it is enough that the experience does not remain yours to carry alone.

Once you have had a moment to calm down, writing down what happened may help later – both for yourself and for any possible next steps. Memory can change over time, and documenting the incident helps preserve important details. You can write it down in your phone notes, on paper, or send a message to yourself. For example: • What happened? In your own words, as you remember it – what was said or done. • When and where? Date, time, location, or online platform. • Who was present? The person or people involved, witnesses, and others who were there. • How did it make you feel? Why the situation felt offensive, unsafe, or distressing. • Evidence: Screenshots of messages or social media comments, photos, or links. However, do not put yourself at risk in order to document the situation – your safety always comes first. Report the incident to AVEK. Reporting does not obligate you to take any further action, but it helps ensure that your experience does not remain invisible. We can also help you think through next steps or find the right source of support. You may also consider other ways of moving forward: • Setting a boundary with the person involved – if you did not do so at the time. You may choose to raise the issue later in private, by email, or through a message. For example:"I wanted to return to what you said yesterday." • Reporting the incident to an organization – such as a supervisor, teacher, HR department, school administration, or through a social media platform’s reporting system. Many organizations have a responsibility to address discrimination and harassment. • Filing a report with the police – if you believe a crime may have occurred, such as threats, defamation, property damage, physical violence, or incitement against a group. For any of these steps, you can ask someone to support you – a friend, a trusted colleague, a community representative, or a legal advisor. You do not have to deal with this alone. You might also reflect on these questions, either by yourself or with someone you trust: • What feels like the most important next step for me right now? • Who would I like to tell – and in what way (in person, in writing, or through a report)? • Do I need someone to support me before moving forward?

Antisemitism can make you feel isolated – especially if people around you do not see or understand your experience. However, the responsibility always lies with the person who acted and with the structures that enable it, never with you. The experience may affect you for a long time, particularly if something similar has happened before. Each new situation may also bring earlier experiences back to the surface – this is normal. Pay attention to your wellbeing if your sleep becomes disturbed, if you find yourself constantly on guard, if you begin avoiding certain places or people, withdraw from things that matter to you, or if feelings of depression, irritability, difficulty concentrating, or physical symptoms persist. In these situations, it is important to seek support – for example from a crisis helpline, a health clinic, or a mental health professional. At the same time, lean on your community. Jewish communities have long experience of supporting one another, building resilience, and continuing forward. That support is also there for you – whether your community is your family, friends, congregation, an organization, or others with whom you can be yourself. Do not let antisemitism define you. What you experienced is serious, but it is not the whole of your story. You have the right to return to the things that bring you joy, meaning, and pride. Concrete steps you can take: • Report the antisemitic incident to AVEK.We collect information about antisemitic incidents that occur in Finland – including those that may seem “small.” Every report helps us build a broader picture, address problems, and advocate for change. Reporting does not obligate you to take any further steps. • File a police report if you suspect a hate crime – for example threats, defamation, property damage, physical violence, or incitement against a group. You can file a report online or at a police station. If you wish, you can ask a support person to accompany you. • Contact the Victim Support Finland service (RIKU) if you need support with filing a police report or navigating the legal process. The service is free of charge and confidential. • Report discrimination to the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman if you believe you have been discriminated against because of your Jewish identity – for example at work, in your studies, or within an organization. • Report hate speech to the social media platform using its reporting tools. It is recommended to take screenshots first. • Speak with a healthcare professional or psychologist if the experience continues to weigh on you or begins to affect your daily life. Low-threshold mental health services are available – for example: https://mieli.fi/tukea-ja-apua/(https://mieli.fi/tukea-ja-apua/)