Those who openly hate Jews are having a dangerous revival -- just look at Charlottesville and Pittsburgh -- while those in positions of political power are perpetuating classic antisemitic tropes (President Trump and Rep. Omar, to name a few). Why now; what lies behind this growing trend? How similar and/or different is it from previous manifestations of antisemitism? How do you differentiate between antisemitism on the political Right and Left?

In this episode, Prof. Deborah Lipstadt and I discuss these issues and many more. Prof. Lipstadt is the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies in the Tam Institute of Jewish Studies at Emory, and author of many famous books, including "The Eichmann Trial," and "Denying the Holocaust." Most recently, she wrote Antisemitism: Here and Now, a book I would highly recommend, not only for its deep insights on antisemitism, but the smooth flow that makes it sometimes feel like a thrilling novel. It is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Antisemitism-Here-Deborah-Lipstadt/dp/0805243372.

Show Notes:

Prof. Lipstadt's article in the Times of Israel on the weaponization on antisemitism: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/jewish-myopia-in-a-perfect-storm-of-anti-semitism/

The Dr. Erica Brown article mentioned: https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/purim-and-the-first-antisemite-a-study-guide-for-deborah-lipstadts-antisemitism-then-and-now/

Favorite Podcast: “The Daily,” and “How I Built This”

Most insightful people to follow on Social Media: Jeffery Goldberg, Bret Stephens, Yair Rosenberg

Books that have most shaped your thinking: "Survival in Auschwitz," and "Still Alive" by Ruth Kluger