In recent years, research on antisemitism has opened new dimensions and facets. Scholars are examining not only the historical roots but also contemporary manifestations and societal impacts. These studies illuminate the role of media, social networks, and political discourse in the spread of antisemitic stereotypes. The findings are crucial for understanding and combating antisemitism in today's society.

Educated Antisemitism at Universities in Germany – Places of Tolerance?

Published in 2025 by Nomos Verlag

Universities are central places for education, research, and societal debate. They shape future decision-makers and are considered places of openness and critical thinking. However, even here, antisemitism is a growing issue.

The new research work in the field of interdisciplinary antisemitism studies, “Educated Antisemitism at Universities in Germany – Places of Tolerance?” sheds light on an alarming phenomenon: antisemitism is no longer just a marginal issue of extremist groups but is increasingly appearing in the academic milieu. Between 2019 and 2021, according to the Research and Information Center on Antisemitism (RIAS), at least 31 antisemitic incidents were documented at German universities – in addition to controversial events, antisemitic content in seminars, and the spread of anti-Israel boycott campaigns like BDS.

Particularly problematic: antisemitism in academic circles often takes a subtle form, disguised as supposed “criticism of Israel.” Scholars like Monika Schwarz-Friesel point out that this “educated antisemitism” is especially dangerous because of rhetorical strategies and camouflage techniques – it seeps unnoticed into public discourse and is rarely questioned by society.

Despite the relevance of this topic, there have been very few empirical studies on antisemitism at universities. In 2017, the Independent Expert Group on Antisemitism of the German Bundestag criticized this research gap. This study now makes an important contribution to better understanding antisemitism among students and in academic circles – and to developing strategies for education and prevention.

Here is the download link for the research work.

Dark Field Study

The dark field study by Heiko Beyer, Lars Rensmann, Hanna Brögeler, David Jäger, and Carina Schulz provides new insights into the forms, manifestations, and occurrences of antisemitism in North Rhine-Westphalian society. It examines specific contexts, milieus, as well as geographical and demographic factors. Of particular note is the widespread “antisemitic background noise” (Hanna Veiler, quoted after Schmidt 2024), which explains the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023 – from graffiti to threats and physical violence.

The study distinguishes four forms of antisemitism: religious antisemitism, modern (or traditional) antisemitism, secondary (or Holocaust-related) antisemitism, and Israel-related antisemitism. In addition, three communication forms of antisemitism are differentiated: open (direct), camouflaged (indirectly communicated through codes), and tolerated antisemitism (attitude toward antisemitic statements by others). Camouflaged antisemitism is particularly prevalent in modern antisemitism, as it is often considered taboo in German society.

Here is the download link for the study.

Nationwide study on the effects of the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, on the Jewish and Israeli community in Germany

The attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7, 2023, marks a deep turning point for the Jewish and Israeli community in Germany. Jews are faced with the task of coping with the traumatic consequences of the deadly attack and the accompanying anti-Semitic threat. The study, funded by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, will investigate the experiences since October 7, 2023, starting in February 2024, from the perspectives of Jews of different generations and social backgrounds in both urban and rural areas of Germany. Through narrative interviews, group discussions, and documentation of self-observations, the perceptions, interpretations, and impacts from Jewish perspectives will be gathered. The study will reconstruct changes in the processing of these events over time and in connection with past and current incidents. It is being conducted by our cooperation partners at the Research Department of the Center of Excellence for Anti-Semitism Critical Education and Research and the FH Potsdam.

Anti-Semitic violence and discrimination are a form of collective violence targeting groups. The concept of collective violence refers to the use of violence by individuals who identify as members of a group and attack other groups for ideological reasons in order to achieve political, economic, or social goals (see Wilkinson/Marmot 2003). In this way, collective-directed violence affects entire communities and has a traumatic potential (see Auerbach 2022). People who have suffered exclusion and persecution often experience diverse lasting effects for decades afterward (see Moré 2015). It is assumed that anti-Semitism has a lasting impact on the mental and social well-being of those affected. Research on anti-Semitism in Germany has so far rarely investigated the effects of anti-Semitic discrimination and violence on the daily lives, well-being, and health of Jews.

The interviews will be conducted in German, English, Hebrew, and Russian. In addition to interviews with adults of all ages, including students, the sample will also include interviews with children and adolescents as well as group discussions with students from Jewish schools. The qualitative data will be analyzed using interpretive and deep hermeneutic methods.

For more information, click here. 

First excerpts from the study: October 7 as a turning point for Jewish communities in Germany. Chernivsky, Marina / Lorenz-Sinai, Friederike (2024). In: APuZ - Politics and Contemporary History: Anti-Semitism. 74th year, 25-26, 2024. P. 19-24. Available online here.

This anthology documents the "2nd Interdisciplinary Conference on Antisemitism for Early Career Researchers," which took place from October 12 to 14, 2022, at the University of Trier.

"We have no concept of it yet, and we have no term for it yet" (Rabinovici 2024: 15). What happened on October 7, 2023, left even those who are well-versed in the millennia-long history of persecution of Jews dumbfounded—those who know about the pogroms in antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, who have engaged deeply with the history of the Holocaust, and who confront antisemitic violence and terrorism in the present day. Above all, of course, Jews in Israel and the diaspora, who are almost universally confronted with eradication, persecution, expulsion, expropriation, and discrimination in their own family histories. With the massacre by Hamas on October 7, yet again a "genocidal message" (Diner 2023) was explicitly directed at all Jews worldwide. "October 7 was not a terrorist attack. It was the beginning of a new global antisemitic war, in which all Jews feel attacked because they are all under attack" (Schapira 2024). The violent rampages of Hamas and its allies were meant to "explicitly and immediately convey that a new Holocaust can be repeated at any time" (Hartmann/Ebbrecht-Hartmann 2024: 67). The threat was intended to fundamentally shake the already often fragile sense of security of Israelis and Jews worldwide and to open up an existential threat scenario. Indeed, October 7 marks a fundamental "break" (ebd.: 70), a "turning point": "In fact, the ground was pulled out from under the feet of the Jews on that day" (Illouz 2024: 46). The "state of emergency" has since become the "normal state" (Ott 2024) — not only in Israel but in Jewish communities and for Jews worldwide." (Marc Seul, Luca Zarbock, Salome Richter, Franziska Thurau, Gina Krewer 2024).

LET'S TALK. October 7, the War in Gaza, and Its Consequences in Germany

Lecture by Prof. Dr. Julia Bernstein, antisemitism researcher at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and chair of the Network of Jewish University Educators in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Just before the first anniversary of October 7, the Anne Frank Educational Institute invited participants from September 23 to 25, 2024, to engage with the consequences of terrorism and the Gaza War on society in Germany. The date of October 7, 2023, marks a turning point: since the Hamas attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism have alarmingly increased. There is a climate of fear among those perceived as Jewish and Muslim regarding attacks and exclusion. The majority society is also facing significant uncertainty: How to take a stance? How to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict? Educational institutions are particularly affected by the current situation. How can they remain (or become) places for controversial exchange while also protecting individuals from discrimination? How can they handle protests? How should they respond to hate and polarization online? Three focus days addressed key areas: schools, universities, and NGOs.

Information about the network of Jewish scholars in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

On the Situation of Jews at German Universities After October 7, 2023

Lecture on the situation of Jews at German universities following October 7, presented by Prof. Dr. Julia Bernstein (UAS Frankfurt), chair of the Network of Jewish University Teachers in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. This lecture is part of the series "After October 7: Where Does Anti-Semitism Against Israel Begin?" at Hannover University on October 10, 2024. Concept and organization by Prof. Dr. Wolfram Stender.

Here is the link to the lecture.

Historikerstreit 2.0 - taz Talk with Lars Rensmann and Ingo Elbe

A conversation with Lars Rensmann and Ingo Elbe on German memory culture: Remarks on the Historikerstreit 2.0. Moderated by Jan Feddersen, taz editorial team.

Lars Rensmann

Dr. Lars Rensmann is a DAAD Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA) and a Permanent Fellow at the Moses Mendelssohn Center for European-Jewish Studies at the University of Potsdam.

Dr. Ingo Elbe earned his doctorate in Berlin with a thesis on the reception of Marxism in West Germany. He is a research associate and private lecturer at the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Oldenburg. He has published numerous works on Marxist studies, political philosophy, and the topic of anti-Semitism.

Here is the link to the talk.

Amadeu Antonio Foundation Publishes Analysis on the Representation of Israel in Berlin-Brandenburg School Textbooks

Israel is often a subject of controversial discussion in Germany, particularly concerning domestic politics, the Middle East conflict, and human rights. Some school textbooks feature oversimplified representations and gaps in the portrayal of historical contexts. Jewish life in Germany is frequently only discussed in relation to the Holocaust. Schools play a key role in addressing Israel and Jewish life, but antisemitism prevention is often overlooked. In collaboration with the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin, the Amadeu Antonio Foundation conducted an analysis of 16 Berlin school textbooks from the subjects of History, Political Education, and Social Sciences.

The analysis of the representation of Israel in Berlin/Brandenburg school textbooks was conducted by the Berlin Anti-Semitism Action Weeks of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation in cooperation with the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin. It was funded by the Senate Department for Labour, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Antidiscrimination within the framework of the state program against right-wing extremism, racism, and antisemitism.

The full analysis is now available for download.