Antisemitism 101

Explore the history of antisemitism or Jew hatred with Dr. Rachel Fish, including key terms, ideas, and debates shaping how antisemitism is understood today.

Essential Questions

How has antisemitism changed over the course of history?
How is antisemitism similar to other forms of hatred? How is it different?
What is the relationship between antisemitism and conspiracy theories?

Big Ideas

Evolving Antisemitism: Antisemitism has changed forms over the years from religious to racial to nationalist antisemitism.
Unique Form of Hatred: Antisemitism is similar to other forms of hatred in that it uses stereotypes to demonize an entire group, but it is also different because it often contains conspiracies that Jews have outsized power.
Antisemitism and Conspiracies: Conspiracy theories offer a convenient way to explain problems in the world and the Jews are often used as a scapegoat.

Antisemitism–also called Jew hatred–is one of the world’s oldest and most persistent forms of prejudice. From religious persecution in ancient times to modern conspiracy theories, it has taken different forms across centuries and societies, yet its core pattern remains: blaming Jews for societal problems and portraying them as threats to be feared or eliminated.

How to use this guide
This resource introduces students to the history of antisemitism, how it has evolved over time, what makes it unique among other forms of hatred, and why it persists today. By understanding the origins of antisemitic stereotypes and the ways they mutate to fit new contexts, students will be better equipped to recognize and confront antisemitism in their own communities and the wider world.

Choose the activities and approaches that best fit your students and classroom needs and your learning objectives.

Discussion Questions

Antisemitism’s “Malleability”: Dr. Fish explains that antisemitism morphs to fit each era—from Judeophobia in ancient Rome, to religious hatred in medieval Europe, to racial theories in the 19th century, to political and identity-based antisemitism today. Why do you think antisemitism is so adaptable across different societies and time periods? What needs or fears does it fulfill for those who spread it?
Erasive Antisemitism and Identity: The video discusses “erasive antisemitism,” which pressures Jews to hide or downplay their identity to be accepted. Have you seen examples—online, in schools, on social media, or in political spaces—where Jews were expected to hide their Jewish identity or connection to Israel? Why is this form of antisemitism harder to recognize than overt hate or violence?

Learning Activities

Reflection Essay:
Ask students to write a short essay reflecting on what they’ve learned about antisemitism. Prompts could include: “Why is it important to understand the origins of antisemitic stereotypes?” or “How can we use this knowledge to build more inclusive and respectful communities?”
Case Study Portfolio: Antisemitism Across Time and Place:
Students assemble a mini-portfolio of 3–4 case studies showing how antisemitism “mutates” across different societies and eras. Use this resource [Antisemitic Tropes and their Origins] to familiarize students with different antisemitic stereotypes.Then, choose one stereotype and highlight how it manifested in 3–4 contexts (e.g., medieval Christian Europe, 19th-century Europe and Wilhelm Marr, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, contemporary U.S./Europe/Middle East).

For each case study, students must: (1) Describe what antisemitism looked like in that time/place (religious? racial? political? conspiratorial?), (2) Explain what Jews were blamed for and why, and (3) Note consequences for Jews and for the broader society.

Conclude with a comparative reflection:
- What patterns repeat?
- What changes over time?
- Why does Dr. Fish call antisemitism “malleable”?