Birkbeck’s ‘Facing Antisemitism: Politics, Culture, History’ course stimulates change in organisations and provides the knowledge to better understand, identify and combat antisemitism
Antisemitism has figured as a growing social and political problem and a feature of public debate in the past decade, both in Britain and globally. The current war in the Middle East has brought to a peak these long-term tendencies. In the year since October 2023, antisemitic incidents in the UK rose three-fold over the previous 12 months, a pattern that has been repeated in many other countries. At the same time, antisemitism provokes heated controversy and remains poorly understood.
Birkbeck is the only University within the UK to have a centre dedicated to the study of antisemitism – the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism (BISA). Established in 2010, the Institute contributes to knowledge and understanding, policy formation and public debate and is renowned internationally for its innovative research and teaching.
Facing Antisemitism: Politics, History, Culture
Facing Antisemitism: Politics, History, Culture is a short course devised by BISA in response to the demand for greater knowledge and understanding of antisemitism. It draws on BISA’s research and expertise to explore the sources, development and contemporary forms of antisemitism, using information and concepts from the social sciences and history to address common questions and concerns. The course is structured around three core, themed sessions which combine lectures and group discussion and provide an opportunity for course attendees to engage with these issues with world leading researchers.
Political parties, trades unions, religious groups, civil society and media organisations have all taken the course. The Labour Party was the first major institution to sign up to the course (in 2019), with four dedicated study days for over 100 staff and senior officials, including high profile party members of its National Executive Committee and the National Constitutional Committee and key staff who were responsible for formulating and implementing Labour Party national policy on antisemitism. The course is also popular with trade unions, including the National Education Union, the University and College Union and the TUC. The UCU and NEU return for repeat iterations.
Course feedback
Feedback on ‘Facing Antisemitism’ has been consistently excellent, with praise for both its content and pace. In the most recent feedback, 100% of attendees agreed that the course had given them a good understanding of antisemitism and helped them to think critically. They felt better equipped to make choices and judgements when confronted with antisemitism on the page, on the screen or in face-to-face interactions.
Ros McNeil, Assistant General Secretary, National Education Union, Education, Equality, Research and International commented:
“The course... provided a good opportunity to learn more about the history of antisemitism and about Jewish life in the UK. Each session offered a depth of insight and conceptual information that was new... The course leaders were able to expertly motivate and stretch participants, confidently challenging them to think deeply.”
Some of the participating organisations have now developed their own educational materials informed by the course, with input from BISA. Others have readily recommended the approach that is taken in the course to others.
Get in touch
To explore how we can support your organisation to better understand, identify and combat antisemitism, please get in touch.