ISGAP Certificate Program in Critical Contemporary Antisemitism Studies

Hidden Truths and New Lenses: How Jewish Art Can Illuminate the Elephants in the Room

Utilizing original artworks as a vehicle, this course will explore key aspects of the Jewish story that are often left out of the discourse on Israel and the complexities of Jewish identity, history, and the antisemitism that has woven its way throughout millenia. Through visual expression, art can convey something that words alone cannot, and hopefully offer the ability to either relate or think about the subject matter via a lens the viewer had not yet contemplated or known to exist.   From this new vantage point, along with suggested readings and interactive discussion, we will attempt to answer many questions such as: What does it mean to be part of an ethno-religion, versus a universalizing religion?  How have antisemitic tropes functioned throughout the ages and majority cultures surrounding Jews?  What facets of the Israeli-Arab conflict, including Anti-Normalization are omitted from the conversation around peace and coexistence?  How does the term “Abrahamic faiths” obfuscate key features of their respective groups in how they are different versus how they are all the same.  Why don’t we talk about these things?

In addition we will  explore the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel, the relatively recent development of Jewish denominations such as Orthodox, Conservative and Reform, as well as what historical factors spurred these new ways of expressing and practicing Judaism.  We will also explore the concepts of assimilation and the challenges in current Identity politics, including the binary of white versus person of color in progressive spaces, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, while seeking to understand the meanings of “The West,” and “The East,” as well as where the Jewish people fit in this paradigm.  A glossary of terms will be provided to attendees as well as various readings to help those at different levels of current knowledge.  The use of art and visuals throughout the course will offer new ways of seeing and understanding the Jewish people, Israel and the space different groups occupy as well as power dynamics,  Antisemitism, and humanity in general.

Session 1: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other: Jewish identity and why it’s confusing 

Why is Jewish identity confusing to so many people, including Jews?  How are Jews like other groups and how are they different?   This session will address the key differences between a universalizing religion and an ethno-religion. What does it mean for Jews to assimilate, and into what group are they assimilating?  Can Jews be antisemitic?  We will break down the different components of Jewish identity and Judaism, the connection to Israel, and the Diaspora,  as well as the development of modern day denominations in Judaism, how they developed and what tensions followed suit.  We will also look at how current buzzwords like indigeneity, colonialism, imperialism, diaspora, and genocide, affect the discussions around Jews and Antisemitism as well as what they really mean.

Session 2: People of The Book:  Replacement Theology and Supersessionism

This session explores the concepts of supersessionism and replacement theology in Christianity and Islam. What does it mean when we use the term “Abrahamic faiths,” and what sentiment applies?  Is it notions of peace and coexistence,  common bridges?  What space do  Muslims, Christians and Jews occupy in humanity, and what power dynamics have been involved in their development?  While it’s helpful to see what connects different groups and their common bridges, how accurate is it really?  What role has Christianity and Islam played in shaping current belief systems around the world, historically until today?  How has Antisemitism played a role in the power dynamic amongst these different groups?  This session will also look at what is known as the Teaching of Contempt, Liberation Theology, the importance of understanding these terms and why we avoid talking about them.  What does it mean to be a “Dhimmi,” and how has the dynamic of supersessionism worked for Christians and other minorities in Muslim Lands?    

Session 3: The Coloring Game Starring “White” Jews

This session will explore the construct of whiteness, its fluidity and how it’s been weaponized against the Jewish people in contemporary discourse.  This has been particularly apparent in regards to erasing the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel, diminishing the peoplehood aspect of Judaism, and removing any agency of a minority by grouping them into the majority culture in the oppressor vs. oppressed binary of identity politics.  We will look at how Jews have been traditionally viewed in societies, and how this current whitewashing of Jews has affected academia, various industries and corporations, as well as assimilation of many Jews into identifying as “white.”  This session will also look at how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, or D.E.I, has potentially amplified antisemitism, and how an overly reductive form of identity politics has not only failed the Jewish minority, but society as a whole.    

Session 4: “Why You So Obsessed With Me?” 

This final session will explore the world’s obsession with the State of Israel, and the applied double standards, or condemnations against Israel.  It will also look at the concept of anti-Normalization in the region and how this has prevented peace between Israel and the neighboring countries, specifically Arab and Muslim.  How does indoctrination against Jews play a role in the conflict with Israel and global Antisemitism?  For a country the size of New Jersey and holding almost half the world’s Jewish population, how does the outsized attention and libelling against Israel compare to the world’s concurrent geo-political upheavals and human rights abuses that are exponentially larger in scale?  Viewing Israel as the “Jew Amongst the Nations,” How might Antisemitism, and the accusation of Blood Libel play a role in the conflict?  How have the Abraham Accords changed the status quo, and offered hope for the future?


« Certificate Program overview

Course Details
Term:

Spring 2025

Format:

Online

Number of Sessions:

4

Dates:

February 13, February 20th, February 27th, and March 6, 2025

Day & Times:

Thursdays, 12:00PM EST - 1:00PM EST

Course Faculty
Ian Cohen

Ian M. Cohen is a former handbag designer turned artist and Jewish educator, who left the fashion world in 2018 to pursue higher Jewish learning. He is an alumnus of the City College of New York’s Jewish Studies Department, receiving his Bachelor’s in 2021, followed by a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from New York’s Jewish Theological Seminary in 2023 as well as a certification in Israel Education from the iCenter. He is a member of the Jewish Art Salon, and has exhibited his work at various gallery spaces in New York City. Through his art, Ian reveals aspects of Jewish history, identity, and Antisemitism that are often missing from contemporary discourse.