Meets: Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central

Jan 15, 2025 – Feb 26, 2025

Location: Hybrid – online and in person at Aaron Family JCC 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX

Faculty: Beri Schwitzer

Antisemitism has been described as a virus that mutates. In each historical period, hatred of Jews takes on a different form or focus, often as a reaction to the prevailing ideology of the time – be it religious, racist, or political.

In the aftermath of the October 7 massacre and the ongoing war in Gaza, antisemitism is, once again, reaching levels not seen since the Holocaust. Therefore, it is crucial for learners to understand the historical processes that have given rise to today’s antisemitism. This understanding will help them comprehend the underlying forces and the recurring tropes used to depict Jews and the Jewish State over time.

In this six-part course, learners will explore pivotal periods, such as the interactions between Jews and early Christianity and Islam, medieval manifestations in Christian Europe, the rise of racially motivated antisemitism leading to the Holocaust, the influence of communism and Islamism on perceptions of Jews, and the contemporary landscape of antisemitism, encompassing both extreme right-wing and left-wing ideologies.

Join us to deepen your understanding of the development of antisemitism since ancient times.