"No child should be afraid to go to school": Education system concerned about "Zubor" phenomenon

A few days before the start of the 2026-2027 school year, many schools fear the return of students due to an "online phenomenon" called "Zubor" (humiliation ritual), known mainly in military circles, but now it seems to have penetrated school walls as well.

Following letters, videos, and content distributed in recent days on social networks, Ilanit Mushkovitz Blau, a mother and chair of the parents' leadership at the Mossinzon youth village, reached out to students' parents and called on them to talk to their children and act to prevent violent incidents.

The appeal to parents comes against the backdrop of the return to classrooms this coming Tuesday, when the fear is that alongside the excitement accompanying the start of the school year, some students will arrive at school fearing humiliation and violence rituals.

"In recent days, we have been exposed on social networks to letters, videos, and content that raise great concern in me ahead of the start of the 2026-2027 school year. I am especially worried about the possibility that with the return to school, acts of violence around the 'Zubor' will also return - a phenomenon that has become a kind of 'tradition' over the years, but in my eyes, it is time to say clearly about it: this is not a tradition we want for our children."

In her appeal, the chair of the parents' leadership asked to challenge the claim that these are pranks that do not cause harm. "'It's just a joke', 'everyone does it', 'they did it to us too'. But from a parent's place, I know there is no such thing as 'just a joke' when a boy or girl feels humiliated, frightened, helpless, or unsafe," she wrote.

"No child should be afraid to go to school. No child should have to prove themselves through violence. And no child should have to be silent to be part of society," she added. According to her, the school management is preparing for the start of the school year and the prevention of violence cases. "Alongside everything being done in the system, we, the parents, have a role that cannot be replaced."

Mushkovitz Blau called on parents to hold a direct conversation with their children in the coming days about what they see and hear on social networks, and about expectations ahead of the first days of the school year. According to her, the conversation should deal not only with avoiding violence, but also with the responsibility of those who are around the incident.

"Talk to the children. Sit with them for a real conversation before they return to school. Ask them what they see online, what they hear, what they think will happen at the beginning of the year," she requested.

"Explain to them that violence is not a way to fit in, and not a way to be 'popular'. And even if they themselves do not intend to hurt anyone - they should not encourage, should not join, should not film, and should not pass it on," continued Mushkovitz Blau. "Sometimes one child who shouts 'stop' can stop an entire group. Sometimes a friend who chooses not to film is the one who prevents humiliation. And sometimes one conversation at home can change what will happen tomorrow," concluded the chair of the parents' leadership.

In another anonymous post published on social networks in recent days, a mother of a student entering 11th grade described the dilemma surrounding the "Zubor" tradition in the town where she lives. According to her, for years, students entering 12th grade choose some of the younger students and perform what they call "scares and kidnappings".

"For several nights, they take them to a relatively isolated place in the town, throw gouache paints, eggs, flour on them," wrote the mother. According to her, the activity is done apparently with the consent of the participants and they can refuse, but she herself finds it difficult to accept the custom. "It is with consent from the girls, they can also not agree, but it feels very wrong to me, humiliating and even shocking."

Later in the post, the mother revealed that she and her husband decided to set a boundary for their daughter and not allow her to continue participating, but according to them, the decision was received by her with a harsh reaction. The daughter claimed that it is a long-standing tradition and that quitting it at this stage could cause her embarrassment and social harm. "She says that it is a tradition of many years and that saying 'no' at this stage is even more humiliating and hurtful to her, and that it really embarrasses her and shames her," the mother recounted.