Marin Conversations

Popularly recognized for her triumph in the court room against a British Holocaust denier, Dr. Deborah Lipstadt will discuss the resurgence of antisemitism and what can be done to combat this latest manifestation of an ancient hatred.

Lipstadt will explore some of the origins of this hate, looking at the significant difference between left-wing and right-wing antisemitism and the role the anti-Zionist movement has played.  She will also look at ways in which the rise of Anti-Semitism both locally and nationally can be combatted.

Over the past several years, there has been a noticeable uptick in anti-Semitic rhetoric and incidents from college campuses in the United States to terrorist attacks against Jews throughout Europe and, in 2018 and 2019, the tragic hate crimes at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and Poway Synagogue outside San Diego.

Marin County has also not been immune, with anti-Semitic symbols found in county schools this past school year. A hatred long thought to be laid to rest, anti-Semitism from both sides of the political spectrum has again become a visible part of American society.

No one knows this issue better than Deborah Lipstadt, a professor of modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies at Emory University. Actress Rachel Weisz portrayed Lipstadt in Denial, a film based on her book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier. Lipstadt's new book, Antisemitism: Here and Now, has been hailed as one of the most important works on the issue.

Where is this hatred coming from? Is there any significant difference between left-wing and right-wing anti-Semitism? What role has the anti-Zionist movement played? And what can be done to combat this latest manifestation of an ancient hatred?

Please join us at Congregation Kol Shofar as Lipstadt makes a special visit to Marin County to discuss these questions and what can be done about the the rise of anti-Semitism locally and nationally.