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I Hated Them Until I Met Them: Loay Al-Shareef's Personal Story

Updated: Sep 2

Grade Level: 6-12
Duration of video: Under 3 minutes
Themes:
  • The Power of Education & Personal Experience 
  • The Role of Misinformation in Genocide & Hate 
  • Arab-Jewish Relations & Shared History. 
  • Importance of Recognizing and Fighting Antisemitism, 
  • Moral Responsibility & Taking Action to ensure history does not repeat itself.




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LESSON PLAN: I Hated Them Until I Met Them: Loay Al-Shareef's Personal Story

Objectives: SWBAT:

  1. Listen to and discuss Loay Al-Shareef’s journey and how education transformed his beliefs about Jewish people and Israel.

  2. Analyze how misinformation and hate can lead to division, violence, and genocide.

  3. Recognize the importance of Arab-Jewish coexistence and the shared responsibility of fighting hate.

  4. Participate in End Jew Hatred Day (April 29th) by signing the pledge and committing to standing against hate.


Materials:

  • Smartboard

  • Student devices (tablets, Chromebooks, laptops) for research and signing the pledge

  • Printed or digital slides with key discussion points

  • Loay Al-Shareef’s Story Summary (see below)

  • Discussion Questions

  • Case Study Sheets on historical genocides (Holocaust, Darfur, Uyghurs, Rohingya, Tigray) (see below)

  • Poster-making supplies (markers, paper, stickers) for students to create awareness posters

  • Notebooks or reflection journals for students to write about what they learned

  • Sticky notes or index cards for quick thoughts and participation



Lesson Activities


1. Introduction: Who is Loay Al-Shareef?


Display on Smartboard & Discuss:

Loay Al-Shareef is a linguist, educator, and peace activist known for his efforts in promoting Arab-Jewish coexistence and combating misinformation. Raised in Saudi Arabia, he was taught anti-Israel and antisemitic narratives. However, after studying in France and living with a Jewish family, he realized that much of what he had been taught was false. This transformation led him to advocate for truth, fight Jew-hatred, and educate others about historical facts and shared Arab-Jewish history.


Why is His Story Important?

  • Personal Growth: His journey shows the power of education and direct experience in breaking down prejudice.

  • Fighting Misinformation: He now works to counter false narratives about Jews and Israel.

  • Genocide Awareness: Al-Shareef educates about the Holocaust and other genocides to prevent future atrocities.

  • End Jew Hatred: He actively promotes initiatives like End Jew Hatred Day to combat antisemitism worldwide.


Discussion Questions:

  1. What changed Loay Al-Shareef’s perspective on Jews and Israel?

  2. Why is it important to challenge misinformation and bias?

  3. How can we use education to fight hatred and genocide today?



2. Watch & Discuss (15 Minutes) – Loay Al-Shareef’s Journey



Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Loay’s personal experiences change his beliefs?

  2. What role does education and exposure play in overcoming hate?

  3. How does Loay’s story connect to End Jew Hatred Day and the fight against antisemitism?


3. Case Study: Misinformation & The Dangers of Hate

Explain:

Hate doesn’t start with violence—it starts with misinformation, dehumanization, and silence.


Small Group Activity:

Each group examines one historical example of misinformation leading to genocide or violence:

  • The Holocaust (Germany, WWII) – Nazi propaganda dehumanized Jews.

  • Darfur Genocide (West Sudan) – Ethnic groups targeted due to government-sponsored lies.

  • Rohingya Genocide (Myanmar) – Lies about the Rohingya led to mass violence.

  • South Sudan Genocide (Present Day) - Jihadist groups in the north dehumanize Christians in the south, leading to slavery and genocide.

  • Syrian Genocide (Present Day) - Jihadist groups dehumanize and murder ethnic Alawites and Christians.

  • Tigray (Ethiopia, Present Day) – Ethnic groups were falsely labeled as threats, leading to ethnic cleansing.

  • Uyghur Genocide (China, Present Day) – Government spreads false narratives while committing human rights abuses.


Guiding Questions:

  • How did false beliefs and propaganda contribute to violence?

  • How did hate spread before the genocide happened?

  • What could have been done to stop it earlier?


Class Share-Out:

  • What patterns do we see in how hate and violence grow?

  • How does this relate to what Loay Al-Shareef is trying to stop?



4. Take Action for End Jew Hatred Day (15 Minutes) – "Be the Change"

  • Explain:

    • April 29th is End Jew Hatred Day, a national movement dedicated to fighting antisemitism.

    • The movement centers on Jewish liberation from oppression and discrimination.

    • End Jew Hatred works to eliminate Jew-hatred from Western culture through peaceful action and education.

  • Visit: End Jew Hatred Day Website & Pledge

  • Activity:

    • Students sign the pledge to stand against Jew hatred.

    • Discuss why standing up against hate is important in schools, communities, and online.

    • Brainstorm ways to spread awareness, such as:

      • Sharing educational social media posts.

      • Creating posters for their school.

      • Writing letters to school or community leaders.

We all have a role in stopping the spread of hate. By learning history, recognizing misinformation, and speaking out, we can prevent future atrocities. Signing the pledge for End Jew Hatred Day is not just a symbolic act—it is a commitment to ensuring that the lies that fuel hatred and genocide are exposed, confronted, and defeated.



Extra Resources for Support

Loay Al-Shareef’s Story Summary

  • Arab heritage: Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, he was taught false, negative beliefs about Jews.

  • What changed: He lived with a Jewish family in France.

  • What he does now: He fights hate and misinformation by educating others about the dangers of antisemitism.

  • Key Idea: Education and personal experience can help us break down hate and learn the truth.


Case Study Sheets: Historical Genocides

  1. The Holocaust (1939-1945)

    • Perpetrators: Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler

    • Victims: 6 million Jews, along with Romani people, disabled individuals, and others

    • How it Happened: Propaganda, dehumanization, and systemic extermination

    • Connection to Loay Alshareef: He teaches about the Holocaust to combat misinformation and prevent history from repeating itself.

  2. Darfur Genocide (Ongoing, West Sudan)

    • Perpetrators: Sudanese government-backed Arab militia groups (called "Janjaweed")

    • Victims: Non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur

    • How it Happened: Ethnic cleansing, mass killings, rape, and displacement

    • Connection to Loay Al-Shareef: His advocacy extends to educating about genocides beyond the Holocaust.



Conclusion

Throughout history, misinformation and radical ideologies have been used to justify genocide and mass violence. Nazi propaganda dehumanized Jews before the Holocaust, lies about ethnic groups fueled genocide in Rwanda, Darfur, and Myanmar, and today, radical jihadists spread falsehoods to justify the slaughter of innocent people. They falsely claim that Jews are committing genocide while actively carrying out atrocities themselves—targeting civilians, using human shields, and glorifying terrorism. These false accusations are not just dangerous; they are a strategic weapon designed to justify more violence and recruit others to their cause.




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