Whose Fault is Antisemitism?

Approximately 80 years after the Holocaust, antisemitism is still very much alive and is on the rise. So, whose fault is it? And how do we address it? The sad truth is that antisemitism has always been spread by offenders across the ideological spectrum. That’s why it is key to focus on fighting antisemitic ideas and not get hung up on the identities of whoever is perpetuating them. When we learn to rebuke anti-Jewish bigotry no matter who spreads it, we will be one step closer to defeating it.

How to use this guide
This guide is designed to enhance your students’ engagement with the video. You can explore the video together or 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.

Discussion Questions

1. Persistence of Antisemitism: The video highlights how antisemitism has been perpetuated by various ideologies and belief systems, from communists to nationalists, and from religious institutions to secular thinkers. What factors do you think contribute to the persistence of antisemitism across such diverse contexts? How does its presence in these varied settings impact the strategies and challenges of combating it?
2. Assimilation vs. Non-Conformity: Throughout history, Jews have maintained unique cultural and religious practices despite pressure to assimilate. This steadfastness has contributed to their survival as a distinct people but has also made them targets for persecution by those who view difference as a threat. How might this non-conformity contribute to both the resilience and the persecution of Jewish communities?
3. Group Mentality: Human beings have a natural tendency to form groups and identify with those who are similar to them. According to social psychologist Jonathan Haidt in The Righteous Mind, this “groupishness” makes it difficult to accept differences, as we are predisposed to favor our in-group and distrust out-groups, leading to prejudice and discrimination. Why do you think humans have difficulty tolerating differences in others? How can we create communities that not only tolerate but embrace our differences?

Learning Activities

1. Debate Activity: Combating Antisemitism Antisemitism is a long-standing form of hatred that transcends political, religious, and cultural lines, often described as the “oldest prejudice.” It spans the political spectrum, from far-right extremists to far-left activists, making it a pervasive societal issue. Historian Deborah Lipstadt argues that antisemitism is fundamentally a conspiracy myth, not just individual hatred, suggesting that combating it might require focusing on the underlying ideas rather than just the individuals expressing them. Facilitate a class debate on the statement: “Focusing on antisemitic ideas is more effective in combating antisemitism than focusing on the individuals who express them.”
   • Team For the Statement: Argue that addressing antisemitic ideas is more effective because these ideas are deeply rooted in myths and conspiracy theories. Changing the ideas can break the cycle of hatred that persists even when individuals are discredited or punished.
   • Team Against the Statement: Argue that holding individuals accountable is more effective for deterring antisemitic expressions and reinforcing societal norms against hate speech.

   After the debate, hold a class discussion to reflect on both approaches. Consider questions such as:

   • Is it more effective to combat antisemitism by dismantling the ideas or by holding individuals accountable?
   • Can both approaches be used together, or is one more crucial than the other in specific contexts?
   • How do historical examples inform our understanding of which strategies are most effective?

1. ConnectED:
   • Faces of the Holocaust: The Upstander, The Bystander, The Perpetrator, and The Victim (videos)
   • World War II and the Holocaust (video)
2. Deborah Lipstadt, From Right to Left and In Between: Jew-hatred Across the Political Divide
3. Eitan Hersh, Antisemitic Attitudes Across the Ideological Spectrum
4. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum:
   • Antisemitism Today (video)
   • Antisemitism | Holocaust Encyclopedia