Book challenges strategies for fighting anti-Semitism

Are the traditional strategies for dealing with anti-Semitism the most effective ways to deal with this scourge in the twenty-first century? Kenneth Stern, an award-winning author and the American Jewish Committee's expert on anti-Semitism and extremism, tackles this and related issues in his new book, "Anti-Semitism Today: How It Is The Same, How It Is Different, and How To Fight It."

While the surge since the turn of the century in anti-Semitic incidents across Europe, and promotion throughout the Muslim world, has engendered deepening concerns in the American Jewish community about the severity of threats to the Jewish people, "contemporary anti-Semitism is not new," says Stern. "What is new are the circumstances in which it is playing out."

"Anti-Semitism Today" is a practical guide to identifying different types of anti-Semitism, analyzing contemporary circumstances, and offering appropriate strategies to consider when responding.

Stern examines anti-Semitic trends in Europe, the Muslim world, and on college campuses. His approach, drawn from over 30 years experience, is to first assess the type of anti-Semitism involved, identify what institutions are implicated, and then develop an effective response from a range of options.

'Blind faith has no place in combating hate'

Topping Stern's list for reevaluating longstanding strategies is Holocaust education. "There is simply no research-based proof that Holocaust education is an antidote to anti-Semitism. This solution is merely asserted and assumed to work," says Stern.

He argues compellingly for investing in surveys and other research to better understand trends in anti-Semitism among different ethnic and faith groups, as well as countries. He stresses the need to continue advocacy with governments, and provides examples of some achievements.

Stern was instrumental in developing a new "working definition" of anti-Semitism which addresses the reality that too frequently contemporary anti-Semitism is manifested in demonizing Israel and denying its legitimacy.

Stern also has been key to creating programs to address this challenge on college campuses.

"Anti-Semitism Today" already has gained praise from Dr. Deborah Lipstadt of Emory University, who calls the volume a "must read." Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, says Stern has been in the "front lines" in the battle against anti-Semitism, and "makes crystal clear...the best strategies to fight it."

To be most effective in confronting anti-Semitism, Stern concludes: "Blind faith and wishful thinking have no place in combating something as dangerous as hate, and therefore a burden of proof must be placed on the proponents of any program against anti-Semitism to demonstrate that it is effective."