Jewish History

By Wolf Grune, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences | – In Nazi Germany, Hertha Reis, a 36-year-old Jewish woman, performed forced labor for a private company in Berlin during World War II. In 1941, she was evicted by a judge from the two sublet rooms where she lived with her son and […]

Christianity

Sinead O’Connor’s Music and Life were infused with Spiritual Seeking, From the Hebrew Prophets, to Rasta, to Islam

The Conversation

By Brenna Moore, Fordham University | – When news broke July 26, 2023, that the gifted Irish singer Sinead O’Connor had died, stories of her most famous performance circulated amid the grief and shock. Thirty-one years ago, after a haunting rendition of Bob Marley’s song “War,” O’Connor ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul […]

Antisemitism

When it Comes to Defining Antisemitism, it’s Official: the IHRA, which forbids Criticizing Israel, is no Longer the only Game in Town

Georgia Recorder

Joe Sterling ( Georgia Recorder ) – The battle over a controversial definition of antisemitism that forbids criticism of Israel has taken a new turn in Georgia and the rest of the country, thanks to the Biden administration. That’s good news for those of us who oppose giving that one definition the force of law. […]

Antisemitism

Teaching the Holocaust through Literature: four books to help Young People gain deeper Understanding

The Conversation

By Christine Berberich, University of Portsmouth | – A survey commissioned in 2019 revealed the shocking result that over half of Britons did not know that at least six millions Jews had been murdered during the Holocaust. This result was all the more surprising given the fact that the Holocaust, as a topic, has been […]

Antisemitism

Combating Antisemitism today: Holocaust Education in the era of Twitter and TikTok

The Conversation

By Alan Marcus, University of Connecticut | – (The Conversation) – In the era of social media, antisemitism and Holocaust denial are no longer hidden in the margins, spewed by fringe hate groups. From Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – and NBA player Kyrie Irving to members of Congress on both sides of […]

Antisemitism

From Kanye to Trump: Antisemitism isn’t just Jew-hatred– it’s anti-Jewish racism

The Conversation

By Dov Waxman, University of California, Los Angeles | – (The Conversation) – Antisemitism has been in the news a lot lately. Hip-hop megastar Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – tweeted Oct. 8, 2022 that he would “go death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” and then made antisemitic comments during a series of […]

African-Americans

With his Dangerous Antisemitism and Racist Stereotypes, Ye has made himself a MAGA Patsy

H. Scott Prosterman

Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment) – Kanye West, who now goes by just “Ye,” has transformed himself from a global rap and fashion icon, into a useful idiot for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. What he did not realize is that rich, powerful white men like Trump are routinely forgiven their racism by […]

American Jews

Ken Burns’ Holocaust Documentary should set our Hair on Fire about the Creep of Trumpian Fascism

H. Scott Prosterman

Oakland (Special to Informed Comment) – The genius of Ken Burns’ documentaries is his ability to personify history. Watching the documentary by Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein on the U.S. and the Holocaust is a challenging experience for most people, and is especially difficult for those from Jewish families that include survivors. I learned […]

Jewish History

Yom Kippur is coming soon – what does Judaism actually say about Forgiveness?

The Conversation

By Adam B. Cohen, Arizona State University | – The Jewish High Holidays are fast approaching: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. While the first really commemorates the creation of the world, Jews view both holidays as a chance to reflect on our shortcomings, make amends and seek forgiveness, both from other people and from the […]