Why is Antisemitism Still Around?

Antisemitism is a persistent form of hatred that has survived for centuries, continuing even after the horrors of the Holocaust. Despite Jews making up less than 0.2% of the global population, they are still subjected to a disproportionate number of hate crimes. The Holocaust was not an isolated incident of antisemitism; it was the tragic culmination of centuries of religious, scientific, cultural, and political anti-Jewish sentiment. These anti-Jewish stereotypes continue to influence society today. Many still subscribe to anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, resulting in increased anti-Jewish sentiment and hate crimes in recent years.

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. Given that antisemitism has persisted for centuries, even after the Holocaust, why do you think it continues to exist in modern society? What strategies do you think are most effective in combating it today, considering its deep historical roots?
2. What role do you think the following groups should have in combating antisemitism: Yourself, Your school leaders, Your community leaders, Your elected officials, and Social media companies?
3. Antisemitism is sometimes described as a unique form of hatred due to its historical longevity and the conspiracy theories associated with it. In what ways does this make antisemitism different from other forms of hatred? Can you think of any similarities it might share with other prejudices?

Learning Activities

1. Interview: Conduct an interview with a person from your community—this could be a family member, teacher, or community leader—about their experiences with antisemitism. Ask them how these experiences have shaped their views on antisemitism and other forms of hatred, and what they think can be done to combat such issues today. Present the key moments from your interview to your classmates.
2. Where Do You Stand?: Play “spectrum” with your students. Designate one side of the room as agree and the other side as disagree. Have them stand along the spectrum where they most identify based on the following statements:
   • I feel comfortable publicly identifying with my religious or cultural identity.
   • Hatred and prejudice will always exist in some form.
   • Antisemitism will never go away entirely.
   • Individuals have the power to make a difference in combating hate.
   • I have the power to help end antisemitism.
   • The situation for minority groups in my country is improving.
   • The situation for Jews in my community is improving.

After moving to where they most agree, students should discuss with the other students there why they chose that area and then open the conversation to the whole group to explain their stances. Students may change where they stand based on the conversation. This game can be played virtually as well by using the chat function and breakout rooms.

1. ConnectED:
   • Faces of the Holocaust: The Upstander, Bystander, Perpetrator, and Victim (videos)
   • World War II and the Holocaust (video)
2. Walter Russell Mead, Amid the Pandemic, Anti-Semitism Flares Up
3. FBI, 2022 Hate Crime Statistics
4. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum:
   • Antisemitism Today (video)
   • Antisemitism | Holocaust Encyclopedia