Understand the origins of key antisemitic stereotypes, how they’ve evolved over time, their impact, and ways to recognize and challenge them effectively.
Essential Questions
- What are the historical origins of common antisemitic tropes, and how do these stereotypes persist and manifest in the modern world?
- What impact has antisemitism had on Jewish communities historically and in the present, and how has it shaped broader societal attitudes and policies?
- How can we recognize and challenge antisemitic biases in our own communities, and what role do education and critical thinking play in combating prejudice and injustice?
Big Ideas
- Evolution of Antisemitism: Antisemitism has evolved over time from focusing on demonizing Jews as a religion, race, and nation.
- Historic Roots, Modern Forms: Antisemitic tropes often have centuries-old origins, but morph and adapt over time to fit the prevailing fears and societal narratives of each era.
- Challenging Antisemitic Narratives: By understanding the origins and impact of antisemitic tropes, we can challenge them and create a more inclusive society.
PART 1
Introduction & Defining Antisemitism
PART 2
The Evolution & Impact of Antisemitism
PART 3
Unpacking Five Antisemitic Stereotypes
PART 4
Challenging Antisemitism
Antisemitism, one of the oldest and most pervasive forms of prejudice, has evolved over time but continues to pose significant challenges in today’s world. This video and accompanying resources explore the origins and evolution of antisemitic stereotypes, equipping students with the tools to recognize and challenge these harmful biases. By examining historical and contemporary examples, students will build critical thinking skills, deepen their empathy, and strengthen their commitment to justice.
How to use this guide
This guide is designed to enhance your students’ engagement with the video. You can pause at the suggested “Stop/Do/Discuss” points to explore key concepts through discussion and reflection questions provided for each section. Alternatively, you may prefer to show the entire video without breaks and use the discussion questions and activities at the end of this guide (“Summative Activities & Reflection”) for a comprehensive post-viewing discussion.
You can also utilize a flipped classroom approach, assigning the video (in full or in segments) for students to watch at home, then using class time to unpack ideas together through reflection, discussion, or hands-on activities. Choose the approach that best fits your students and classroom setting, whether it’s real-time engagement or a deeper dive after the video.
Discussion Questions
- Historical Evolution: How did antisemitism evolve from religious prejudice in ancient and medieval times to racial antisemitism in the 19th and 20th centuries?
- Stereotype Origins: After learning about the historical origins of these stereotypes, how does this context change the way you think about them? Why is it important to understand where these ideas come from?
- Call-In vs. Call-Out: What’s the difference between “calling out” and “calling in” when addressing antisemitic ideas? Why might “calling in” be more effective in certain situations, and when might “calling out” be necessary?
Learning Activities
- Debunking Myths – Research Activity: Divide students into small groups and assign each group one of the five stereotypes discussed (e.g., influence/control, money, appearance, privilege, or dual loyalty). Each group will research the historical origins and modern examples of their assigned stereotype and present strategies for debunking it to the class.
- Ads to Combat Antisemitism: The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism has released video ads in their campaign #StandUpToJewishHate. Watch some of the videos and answer the following questions:
- What is the central message of the video?
- What images or sounds are used and how do they contribute to the tone?
- Who is included in the video? Who are the main characters?
- What do the characters say? What do they not say?
- Which audience(s) is the video targeting? What message do you think the video sends?
- Deborah Lipstadt, Antisemitism: Here and Now (book)
- Bari Weiss, How to Fight Antisemitism (book)
- Alex Ryvchin, The 7 Deadly Myths (book)
- ADL, Discussing Anti-Semitism
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Why the Jews: History of Antisemitism
- Antisemitism | Holocaust Encyclopedia