Educator Decries Social Exclusion of Girl in Youth Movement
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
An educator is calling out youth movements for failing to address the social exclusion of a seventh-grade girl who was ostracized by her peers. The girl was excluded from group chats and activities, leading her to feel isolated and question her self-worth. Educator Avinoam Hersh stressed that true "love of Israel" means including those who are overlooked and that youth movements must protect vulnerable children from social rejection.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Educator Avinoam Hersh condemned the social exclusion of a seventh-grade girl in a youth movement.
- The girl was excluded from group chats and sat alone during activities, feeling invisible.
- She returned home crying, questioning what was wrong with her and internalizing the rejection.
- Hersh stated that youth movements fail their educational mission if they don't protect isolated children.
- He urged leaders to prioritize including overlooked children as a measure of "love of Israel."
An educator has issued a strong appeal to youth movement leaders and parents after a seventh-grade girl was ostracized by her peers. The girl, described as good, sensitive, and funny, joined a local youth movement branch with great enthusiasm at the start of the school year, anticipating a sense of belonging and a "second home." However, she soon found herself excluded from group WhatsApp messages and isolated during activities, leading her to return home in tears and question what was wrong with her.
The situation escalated when the girl was no longer invited to meetings and discovered a WhatsApp group created by other girls without her. During activities, she observed her peers singing about friendship and unity while she often sat alone, feeling invisible. Her mother reported that the girl began to internalize the rejection, believing something was fundamentally wrong with her.
Educator Avinoam Hersh criticized the lack of intervention, questioning how a child could feel so alone while surrounded by dozens of peers. He noted that while the girl's mother approached a counselor who promised to "pay attention," this was insufficient. Hersh argued that such social exclusion, which he termed a "terror attack," can leave lasting scars and that youth movements fail their most crucial educational test if they cannot protect a child sitting alone.
Hersh emphasized that true "love of Israel" is demonstrated by noticing and including the child who is overlooked, not just through grand events or speeches about values. He urged leaders to prioritize the emotional well-being of every child, ensuring no one feels superfluous, rather than focusing solely on attendance or superficial achievements.