The History of Antisemitism—A Contemporary Problem with a Long History
This FREE professional development mini-course explores the historical evolution of antisemitism from antiquity to the present day. Participants will gain essential context to better understand recurring tropes, Jewish responses across eras, and modern manifestations, equipping educators to lead informed discussions in today's classrooms.
- Session 1: Roots in Antiquity and Christian Origins
Examine ancient prejudices, the transformation through early Christian teachings, and comparisons with medieval Muslim attitudes toward Jews. - Session 2: Medieval to Modern Developments
Explore power dynamics in the Middle Ages, the impact of emancipation, and the international resurgence of antisemitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. - Session 3: The Holocaust Era and Contemporary Manifestations
Discuss the destruction of Jewish communities, left-wing and American variants, and today's resurgence in America, Europe, and beyond, including Jewish responses.
Course Goals
- Develop analytical tools to contextualize current events and distinguish antisemitism from legitimate criticism.
- Enhance classroom strategies for addressing sensitive topics with historical depth and nuance.
Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 25, 2026
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The first 2 sessions will be virtual and the 3rd session will have the option for in person in New Brunswick or virtual.
Educational materials included. Dinner provided for anyone attending session three in-person.
Continuing education credit available.
Presenters
Dr. Daniel Ross Goodman is a faculty member in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at St. John's University. A scholar of Jewish thought and theology, his research focuses on Judaism’s relationship with Christianity and other world religions and on Jewish theology’s intersections with literature and the arts. He is the author of Soloveitchik's Children: Irving Greenberg, David Hartman, Jonathan Sacks, and the Future of Jewish Theology in America (University of Alabama Press, 2023) and Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Wonder and Religion in American Cinema (Hamilton Books, 2020). He is also co-editor (with Elaine Lai and Anthony A. Lee) of the forthcoming book Beyond Dialogue: New Paradigms in Interfaith Discourse (SUNY Press).
At Rutgers, Dr. Goodman will teach an undergraduate course on antisemitism, a course for teachers in the Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education, and a seminar for faculty and graduate students.
Colleen Tambuscio is the Pedagogical Consultant to the MTI and has served in this position for over twelve years. She is a long time special education and regular education teacher and a leading voice in Holocaust education, both in New Jersey and nationally. She is the founder and president of the Council of Holocaust Educators, a statewide professional development organization, and is an educational consultant to the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education. She established a Holocaust education curriculum at New Milford High School which now includes two elective classes: “The Holocaust, Genocide and Human Behavior” and “Contemporary Genocide: A Call to Action.”
Colleen was honored by Princeton University and by the New Milford Educational Foundation. In 1998, Colleen was named a Mandel Fellow to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and continues to serve as a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Regional Educator. Colleen earned an MA in Jewish-Christian Studies from Seton Hall University.