The Antisemitism in Comparative Perspective Seminar Series

Anti-Judaism, or the controversial term coined in the 1870s by Wilhelm Marr, Antisemitism, is one of the most complex and, at times, perplexing forms of hatred. It spans history, infecting different societies, religious and philosophical movements, and even civilizations. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, some contend that Antisemitism illustrates the limitations of the Enlightenment and modernity itself. Manifestations of Antisemitism emerge in numerous ideological based narratives and the constructed identities of belonging and otherness such as race and ethnicity, nationalisms, and anti-nationalisms.

The ISGAP seminar series aims to explore this subject matter in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary framework from an array of approaches and perspectives as well as regional contexts. Eminent scholars and researchers are invited to present seminar papers in an informal setting.

2015-2016 Schedule

Fall 2015

Nov. 12 “Introductory Roundtable”

Professor Ze’ev Khanin Bar-Ilan and Ariel Universities
Dr. Charles Asher Small Executive Director, ISGAP
Dr. Igor Schupak Director of Tkuma and the Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”
Location: Office of the Jewish Studies Program, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 8/5 Voloska St., Building 5, Basement
Time: 6:00 P.M.

Moderator: Dr. Vitaly Chernoivanenko, President of Ukrainian Association for Jewish Studies
(Video)

Dec. 10 “Antisemitism in the Media from 1988 to the Present: The Ukrainian and Russian Cases”

Dr. Vachtang Kipiani, Chief Editor, Istorychna Pravda [The Truth of History]
Location: Office of the Jewish Studies Program, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 8/5 Voloska St., Building 5, Basement
Time: 6:00 P.M.

(Video)

Spring 2016

Jan. 21 “Manifestations of Antisemitism in Ukraine: Dynamics and Context”

Vyacheslav Likhachev Head, National Minority Rights Monitoring Group
Location: Office of the Jewish Studies Program, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 8/5 Voloska St., Building 5, Basement
Time: 6:00 P.M.

(Video)

Feb. 18 “The Phenomenon of the Ukrainian Jewry: Life after Death: Antisemitism without Jews”

Vitaly Portnikov Ukrainian Journalist, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe
Location: Office of the Jewish Studies Program, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 8/5 Voloska St., Building 5, Basement
Time: 6:00 P.M.

(Video)

Mar. 24 “Overcoming Antisemitism: A Practical Experience. The Case of the Ї Independent Journal”

Taras Voznyak Ukrainian culture expert and political scientist, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Independent Cultural Journal Ї, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Center of the International PEN Club
Location: Office of the Jewish Studies Program, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 8/5 Voloska St., Building 5, Basement
Time: 6:00 P.M.

Apr. 21 “The Politics of Memory in Contemporary Ukraine and Antisemitism”

Professor Yaroslav Hrytsak  Ukrainian Catholic University at Lviv, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, and Central European University in Budapest
Location: NaUKMA Museum, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 2 Skovorody St.
Time: 7:00 P.M.

May 20 “Jewish Identity and Antisemitism: Forms and Mutual Influences”

Yosef Zissels Ukrainian civic leader, Executive Co-President of the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Ukraine (Vaad of Ukraine), Executive Co-President of the Congress of Ethnic Communities of Ukraine, and Chairman of the General Council of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.
Location: Office of the Jewish Studies Program, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 8/5 Voloska St., Building 5, Basement
Time: 6:00 P.M.

(Video)

Fall 2016

Sept. 27 “The War Against the Jewish State: Countries, Terror Organizations and BDS”

Maj.-Gen (Ret.) Yaakov Amidror 
Location: NaUKMA Museum, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 2 Skovorody St.
Time: 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. 

Introductory Greetings by:
Dr. Charles Asher Small, Executive Director, ISGAP
Dr. Ze’ev Khanin, Chief Scientist, Israeli Ministry of Immigrant Absorption
Moderator: Dr. Serhiy Hirik, Secretary of the Ukrainian Association for Jewish Studies
(Video)