Featuring Elite Experts Combating Antisemitism

Title: “American Antisemitism: Grounds for Optimism or Pessimism?” Date: April 21, 2015 Speaker: Dr. Arnie Dashefsky Affiliation: Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Connecticut; Director, Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life, University of Connecticut Location: Harvard University Convener: Professor Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School Description: Dr. Arnie Dashefsky traces Jewish history and the emergence of antisemitism and notes that the first instances of antisemitism were, in fact, instances of anti-Judaism. This anti-Judaism and the notion that Judaism is less then Christianity evolved into antisemitism and the denigration and demonization of the Jews.