A new international academic organization dedicated to the study of contemporary antisemitism was formally launched Wednesday during the gala evening of the "Contemporary Antisemitism – Haifa 2026" conference at the University of Haifa.
The Contemporary Antisemitism Studies Association, or CASA, said more than 150 academics have joined as founding members and that it has established an advisory committee of leading scholars in the field.
The Contemporary Antisemitism Studies Association launch
(Photo: University of Haifa)
The association aims to serve as a global professional organization for researchers studying contemporary antisemitism across a range of academic disciplines, methodologies and perspectives.
CASA said it was established in response to growing scholarly interest in contemporary antisemitism and seeks to expand academic resources available to researchers. The organization plans to develop an international research network that will include annual conferences, thematic research groups and workshops, a peer-reviewed academic journal, a scholarly book series, a research center and initiatives designed to make research findings more accessible to policymakers, educators and other stakeholders.
"CASA institutionalizes an international research community that has grown steadily in recent years," the association's founders — Prof. David Hirsh, Dr. Eyal Feinberg and Dr. David Barak-Gorodetsky — said in a joint statement.
"Our goal is to bring together researchers, strengthen rigorous academic scholarship, encourage research collaboration, mentor early-career scholars and provide the institutional foundations needed for the continued development of the field," they said.
According to the founders, the association seeks to promote scholarly engagement while challenging antisemitic assumptions and discriminatory practices in academic, cultural and public life. CASA said it recognizes the importance of studying contemporary manifestations of antisemitism across the political, religious and national spectrum and is committed to evidence-based research, academic rigor and liberal democratic values.
The association was established through a partnership among the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, Gratz College in Pennsylvania and the Comper Center for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism at the University of Haifa.
Under the partnership, the London center will serve as CASA's administrative hub, Gratz College will publish the association's new academic journal and the Comper Center will develop an international research center and oversee fellowship programs.
CASA is inviting academics, researchers and academic institutions engaged in the study of contemporary antisemitism to join the organization.
The launch took place during the "Contemporary Antisemitism" conference, which organizers described as the largest international conference held in Israel over the past year. The conference, held at the University of Haifa from July 7-9, drew more than 300 participants from around the world.