Whose Fault is Antisemitism?

In this lesson from ConnectED, you and your students will examine antisemitism – why it has continued to exist over time, why Jewish communities are often a target for conspiracy theories and scapegoating, and how individuals can take responsibility for challenging antisemitism in their own communities.

For thousands of years, antisemitism has existed across cultures, religions, and political ideologies, revealing a deeper, persistent intolerance for others. For centuries, Jews have been cast as outsiders as they have been blamed for societal problems no matter the time, place, or politics. To fight antisemitism, it is imperative to recognize it within our own communities and not only condemn it in others.

This lesson contains an eight-minute-long video and an educator’s guide. Several discussion questions, learning activities, and reflection questions are included in the guide to promote students’ critical thinking. Four review questions and answers are also provided which could be used as a review or a quiz to gauge students’ understanding.