New Course:
How to be an Anti-Antisemite
America has recently seen antisemitism flare up on its streets, against its Jewish institutions and, exponentially, online. Public
harassment, desecration of sacred sites & vandalism have multiplied, as have the numbers of fatal shootings. On the far-right, tiki-torches marchers shout on America’s streets: “Jews will not replace us!” On the far-left, Israel-hating activists attack Jews in NYC’s neighborhoods and LA’s restaurants.
This hatred of Jews isn’t new. It is more than 2,000 years old. And though it expresses today in different guises than in the past, the core of what animates antisemitism has remained the same. Understanding this history, tracing back the birth and evolution of the different strands of antisemitism in time, allows us to better spot it, call it out for what it is, and confront it today, something we can no longer postpone doing.
This course is for anyone, Jewish or not, invested in combating racism and prejudice wherever and however it may appear. This is a necessary course. And its time is now.
Topics that will be covered during this course:
- Jews & Christians: Separation & Consequences
- Before & After the Crusades
- Medieval Antisemitism
- Luther, the Jews & The Renaissance
- The Age of Enlightenment & the Jewish Question
- Nationalism & Antisemitism: From Dreyfus to the “Protocols”
- Antisemitism Before & After the Shoah (Holocaust)
- Jews & Muslims: From Medina to Gaza
- Antisemitism Today: at Home & Around the World
**The historical timeline for this course begins with the start of the Common Era and will not look at earlier expressions of anti-Judaism. Also, we will not cover the Shoah (Holocaust) itself as this would necessitate a course of its own.**
Sources used for this course will include but are not limited to scholarly works by H.H. Ben-Sasson, J. Efron et al, A.L. Sachar, D. Prager & J. Telushkin, J. Carroll, R.S. Wistrich, P. Goldstein and D.E. Lipstadt. All references and resources will be shared with participant for further exploration at the end of the course.
14 Sessions on Tuesdays, 7 – 8:30PM
- November 2nd, 9th, 23rd, and 30th
- December 7th and 14th
- January 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th
- February 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
The course will be offered both in-person—provided it is safe enough—and live-streamed. Each session will be video recorded to allow for asynchronous participation and discussion on our Facebook Discussion Group.
A course like this would traditionally be offered for $300. Because of the importance of the material, however, and our desire to provide as much education and awareness around this issue as possible, we are offering it on a donation-only basis.
In light of this, we are implementing tiers of patronage to support the work behind this course.
For those who wish to become patrons of this program, we are offering four tiers of sponsorship in order to gain access to an exclusive Facebook discussion group.
This group will showcase all of the recordings, will provide an opportunity to continue discussion with fellow course-goers, and will offer exclusive occasional access to Rabbi Olivier for questions, comments, and dialogue.
Donations of the following amounts include access to the group:
- Seeder – $36 ($2.50/session or $12/month)
- Nurturer – $72 ($5/session or $24/month)
- Supporter – $180 ($13/session or $60/month)
- Sustainer – $360 ($26/session or $120/month)
You may also make a commitment for 3 monthly payments if you wish. You may also sponsor another member’s inclusion in the group by emailing our Executive Director, Karen, at administrator@betalef.org
We are grateful for our Patrons!
We are committed to offering this course free of cost to all who wish to participate. These patrons have made this possible by participating in one of our tiers of patronage:
Seeder – $36
Nurturer – $72
Supporter – $180
Sustainer – $360
If you would like to consider becoming a patron of this course and gaining access to our exclusive, patron-only Facebook discussion group, please contact us at info@betalef.org.
Pete & Anita Bernard
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