In 2000, approximately 450 academic papers and books were published dealing with antisemitism.  In 2020, there were 1,200; in 2024, over 3,000.  Unsurprisingly, cultural trends and specific events of these past few years have brought a great deal of attention to identifying, understanding, and combating antisemitism.  While it is a commonplace that it is eternal – ever since Pharaoh’s “in the event of war they may join our enemies…” (Ex. 1:10)  and Haman’s “There is a certain people…” (Esther 3:8) –  certain twentieth century trends may have helped dull its sting (or so it seemed):

The rise of pluralistic democracies in many countries, based on concepts of universal rights and equality, pushed antisemitism into the private, personal realm. Those democracies crushed the Nazis and held them to account – and outlasted the Soviet Union with its official oppression of Jews. It felt like the Enlightenment dream of a neutral society was actually being realized.  One could feel optimistic…  Moreover, the Jews had, meanwhile, attained statehood, an army, power, recognition as equal members of the family of nations; we had emerged from our powerlessness – upon which antisemitism had fed – into national normalcy.

Now, suddenly, it feels like our optimism was premature.  Undisguised and unapologetic expressions of antisemitism suddenly seem ubiquitous, giving rise to concern and responses everywhere, from op-eds to congressional hearings, from political campaigns to Israeli diplomatic action.  Of course (as always) it can be a little hard to tease out when we are dealing with hatred of the Jews – and when we are dealing with........

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