Someone Had to Do Something: The Story of SHIELD

When Jewish parents encountered bias and misinformation about Israel and Jewish history in their children's classrooms, Laura Zhiss decided that simply being frustrated wasn't enough—and helped build SHIELD, a Georgia-based organization empowering families to advocate for accurate, fair education. In conversation with Rabbi Natan Trief, Laura shares the personal experiences that sparked this work, how SHIELD helps parents navigate difficult situations, and how to distinguish legitimate disagreement from antisemitism and educational bias. Together, they explore what educators, parents, professionals, and community members can do to confront rising hatred and ignorance. The conversation is ultimately a call to action: we don't have to solve everything, but each of us has a responsibility to do something.