Parents For Peace

Some thoughts from our Executive Director, Myrieme Nadri-Churchill: ?? Reflecting on a Meaningful Iftar - Ramadan Mubarak! ?? "A few nights ago, I had the honor of speaking at an Iftar, reflecting on faith, heritage, and the power of community. I don’t often share this, but my lineage traces back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through my father’s tribe, the Arrousyan. It’s a part of my history, and this time of year always makes me reflect on what that means. Growing up in Morocco, my grandfather—a Sufi Sheikh in the Sahara—taught that faith should unite, not divide. He built a mosque that also bore the symbols of Christianity and Judaism because true strength lies in building bridges, not walls. At Parents for Peace, we see every day how extremism affects families from all backgrounds—Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and secular. But we also see the power of intervention. Just as hate can be taught, so too can healing. As Ramadan continues, I hold onto these lessons: the strength of community, the responsibility we all share, and the power of choosing understanding over division." #RamadanMubarak #RamadanKareem #BuildingBridges #ParentsForPeace #FaithAndUnity

?? When Schools Become Unsafe: The Mental Health Toll of Rising Antisemitism Jewish students should never have to question their safety or identity in the classroom. Yet, across Massachusetts, children are experiencing bullying, social exclusion, and even trauma due to antisemitic rhetoric in schools. Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, PsyD, Director of Trauma Training & Services at Parents for Peace, recently spoke about the mental health impact of this growing crisis: ?? “I have patients saying they don’t want to be Jewish anymore because everybody hates them.” ?? Some students avoid school entirely out of fear of bullying—from both peers and teachers. ?? Others struggle with chronic stress and self-doubt, as their pain is dismissed or justified by the very institutions meant to protect them. This isn’t just about bias in education—it’s about real harm inflicted on students when antisemitism is normalized in learning environments. Former white nationalist and Parents for Peace exit interventionist Arno Michaelis underscores how antisemitism is a common thread across extremist ideologies: ?? “Whether the violent extremism flavor is violent Islamism, white nationalism, or Antifa, all of these ideologies bring the same miserable experience, and all of them are rampantly antisemitic.” Extremism thrives on division and fear—but hate is learned, and so is resilience. What can be done? ? Schools must treat antisemitism as seriously as any other form of hate. ? Educators need training to recognize and address antisemitism in classrooms. ? Parents and communities must speak up—silence allows hate to fester. At Parents for Peace, we work to counter extremism and prevent harm by providing intervention services and equipping communities with the tools to push back against radicalization—wherever it appears. No student should be made to feel unsafe because of who they are. Join us in raising awareness and demanding accountability. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_iinuy7 #EndAntisemitism #SafeSchools #ParentsForPeace #JewishStudentsMatter #StopHate

Prevention Saves Lives—And Tax Dollars When someone is on a path toward extremism or targeted violence, intervention before a crisis can mean the difference between harm and healing. At Parents for Peace, we work directly with families, individuals, and communities to prevent radicalization before it escalates into violence. ?? Built-In Threat Assessment & Case Management Through our confidential helpline, intake protocol, and case management system, we provide a structured threat assessment to evaluate risk factors and determine the most effective intervention strategies. This ensures that every case receives the appropriate level of care and response—aligning with best practices in violence prevention. This public health approach is not just compassionate—it’s also cost-effective. Early intervention saves taxpayer dollars by reducing the need for costly law enforcement, legal proceedings, and incarceration. That’s why we are honored that two of our case studies were featured in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Fiscal Year 2024 Report to Congress. With support from the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (#CP3), we continue to provide lifesaving intervention, helping individuals disengage from extremism and find healthier paths forward. ?? Prevention in Action: ? In one case, our intervention helped an adolescent who had developed antisemitic beliefs and a fascination with weapons. By working with the family and providing guidance, we helped this young person reconnect with positive social engagement and mental health support—off-ramping them before escalation. ? In another case, an FBI referral led a mother to call our helpline after her son had engaged with ISIS supporters in online chatrooms. By addressing his underlying social anxiety and lack of belonging, we helped him shift away from extremist ideology and toward a productive future. These cases highlight the real impact of prevention—and how timely intervention can save lives, protect communities, and reduce public costs. ?? Learn More: Read about these cases and other prevention efforts in CP3’s Fiscal Year 2024 Report to Congress: https://lnkd.in/ekH6YjxZ If you or someone you know needs help, our free and confidential helpline is available at 1-844-49-PEACE. #Prevention #PublicHealth #InterventionWorks #DHS #CP3 #ParentsForPeace

Arno Michaelis Featured on Business Insider We’re proud to see Arno’s powerful journey from extremism to peace featured in Insider’s At Length series—reaching hundreds of thousands and sparking important conversations. His story is a testament to the power of intervention, second chances, and the work we do every day. ?? Watch the full interview here: ?? https://lnkd.in/eN8JRxD4 Change is possible. And it starts with listening. #BusinessInsider #AtLength #ArnoMichaelis #CounterExtremism #InterventionMatters #ChangeIsPossible

Standing Against Hate, Together (post 2) This week, Parents for Peace team members Miri Bar-Halpern, PsyD and Arno Michaelis attended the Anti-Defamation League’s Never Is Now event in NYC, joining thought leaders, activists, and public figures—including Montana Tucker, David Schwimmer, and Gal Gadot—to address the rising tide of antisemitism. At Parents for Peace, we recognize that antisemitism is not just a historical problem—it is a persistent force fueling extremist movements today. Our data shows that 82% of cases we’ve worked on included antisemitic components, highlighting how deeply hate-based ideologies have embedded themselves across movements. As an organization committed to promoting understanding and fostering resilience, we know that addressing antisemitism is essential to preventing extremism in all its forms. That’s why we continue to stand with communities targeted by hate, supporting those affected and working toward long-term solutions.

Standing Against Hate, Together This week, Parents for Peace team members Miri Bar-Halpern, PsyD and Arno Michaelis attended the Anti-Defamation League’s Never Is Now event in NYC, joining thought leaders, activists, and public figures—including Montana Tucker, David Schwimmer, and Gal Gadot—to address the rising tide of antisemitism. At Parents for Peace, we recognize that antisemitism is not just a historical problem—it is a persistent force fueling extremist movements today. Our data shows that 82% of cases we’ve worked on included antisemitic components, highlighting how deeply hate-based ideologies have embedded themselves across movements. As an organization committed to promoting understanding and fostering resilience, we know that addressing antisemitism is essential to preventing extremism in all its forms. That’s why we continue to stand with communities targeted by hate, supporting those affected and working toward long-term solutions. Hate is learned—but it can also be unlearned. Together, we can break the cycles of extremism and build a more compassionate, informed future. #NeverIsNow #CombatHate #ParentsForPeace #AntisemitismPrevention

Addressing Rising Antisemitism & Radicalization in Schools ?? In the wake of October 7th, we have seen a disturbing rise in antisemitism, ideological extremism, and targeted violence, particularly in schools and universities. In 2024, 74% of our cases involved individuals under 25, and 80% contained antisemitic components. These numbers underscore just how deeply hate-based ideologies have embedded themselves across different movements. At Parents for Peace, we don’t just study radicalization, we intervene. Our team has conducted over 700 intervention sessions this year, successfully off-ramping many individuals who showed signs of disengagement. But prevention must start earlier, before misinformation and divisive rhetoric take hold. ?? On WBZ NewsRadio’s Nightside with Dan Rea, our experts weighed in on the serious concerns surrounding antisemitic materials distributed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) to 117,000 members: ?? Arno Michaelis , a former neo-Nazi and exit peer specialist at Parents for Peace, warned: "I am incredibly concerned about this content. In many cases, it is word-for-word the same antisemitic tropes we used in the late 90s and the same antisemitic tropes white nationalists today use." ?? Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, our clinical psychologist, emphasized the broader risks: "This is not just an education issue. This is a social issue. This is what leads to radicalization." When educational materials spread division instead of fostering understanding, the consequences are dire: ? Jewish students are experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and school avoidance. ? Non-Jewish students are at risk of radicalization. Schools should be places of learning, safety, and inclusion, not sources of misinformation and hate. Teaching about the Middle East conflict must be accurate, balanced, and sensitive to all perspectives. ?? Listen to our experts on WBZ NewsRadio: https://lnkd.in/eHGAmkbz ?? If you are concerned about a loved one, our helpline is here to help. 1-884-49-PEACE (1-884-497-3223). #CombatAntisemitism #PreventRadicalization #CompassionTransforms #EducationNotHate #ParentsForPeace

?? Parents for Peace at Harvard Medical School! ???? Last week, our Executive Director, Myrieme Nadri-Churchill had the opportunity to present at Harvard Medical School, engaging with educators, social workers, and clinicians on the critical topic of preventing radicalization as a public health issue. ?? Key Takeaways from the Discussion: ? Addressing radicalization by focusing on pain, trauma, and unmet psychological needs—not just ideology. ? How social workers and educators can recognize early warning signs and intervene effectively. ? Why traditional punitive or ideological approaches often push individuals deeper into extremism—and what works instead. We’re committed to equipping frontline professionals with the tools they need to support at-risk individuals and families. A huge thank you to Harvard Medical School for hosting this important conversation! #RadicalizationPrevention #PublicHealthApproach #HarvardMedicalSchool #ParentsForPeace #SocialWork #Education #MentalHealthMatters

This infographic compares the value of targeted violence and terrorism prevention investments with the costs of targeted violence. While it is impossible to put a dollar amount on human life and suffering, investing in prevention can redirect those on a pathway toward violence, get people help, and stop violence before it happens. The comparison specifically showcases the relatively low cost of the TVTP Grant Program’s investments into implementation of 17 Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management projects, developed with $8.1 million in funding from the FY2020-2023 TVTP Grant Program, which enabled 1,172 individual-level interventions ($6900 of grant funds per intervention). In addition, TVTP grant funding between FY20-FY23 also trained nearly 40,000 providers, who raised awareness about prevention with more than 28 million people ($2.50 per person reached). https://lnkd.in/e4p2Qrvh

Today, in partnership with Parents for Peace and Montana Tucker, the Combat Antisemitism Movement released this powerful video for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It features Arno Michaelis, a former neo-Nazi who now stands against antisemitism and a third generation Holocaust survivor.?