The Essence of Antisemitism

Featuring Professor David Patterson, Hillel A. Feinberg Distinguished Chair in Holocaust Studies at the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, U.S.; Senior Research Fellow, ISGAP

This course begins by exploring the motifs that have defined antisemitism both over the centuries and into our own time. Moving then into the contemporary world, we will consider the three primary sources of the phenomenon of Jew hatred: the political right, the political left, and political Islam. Finally, the course will end with a discussion of how one might response to the rising tide of antisemitism and what might be done about it.

Session One: Historical Patterns and Modern Manifestations

In this class we identify three defining motifs in the history of antisemitism and its contemporary manifestations: (1) the claim to the word of Truth, (2) blood libel and bloodshed, and (3) the redeeming value of antisemitism. The redemptive aspect of antisemitism, it will be shown, most fundamentally defines the historical and contemporary essence of antisemitism in its various forms.

Will be held on 1 March 2023 at 11 AM Eastern Standard Time

Click here to enroll