Antisemitism

November 15, 2018
A leading scholar of Judaism explores just about every manifestation of contemporary anti-Semitism, with plenty of history included for context.Lipstadt (Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies/Emory Univ.; Holocaust: An American Understanding, 2016, etc.), a winner of the National Jewish Book Award, relates the grim reality of anti-Semitism through an unusual format: an invented correspondence between herself and two fictional characters, one a brainy Jewish university student named Abigail, the other a non-Jewish university law professor deeply worried about pervasive hatred of Jews on campus and elsewhere. The epistolary structure is unvarying, so some readers may find it artificial and tiresome--but as the information in each piece of correspondence builds on the previous letters, a coherent and frightening narrative begins to take shape. Lipstadt personalizes the book by citing anti-Semitic issues she has faced. Even after devoting most of her career to the study of the Shoah, she writes, she had a very difficult time piecing this book together. Writing about the depressing present and dark-looking future caused her unexpected anguish. As part of the correspondence driving the narrative, the author defines anti-Semitism, offers a five-pronged taxonomy of hatred, provides contextual explanations such as the similarities and differences between Jews and blacks as targets of hatred, delves into non-Jews who rationalize their evil ways, examines the phenomenon of Holocaust denial, and looks at anti-Semitism on college campuses. Another noticeable element throughout the book is the conundrum of Israel as a special land created to safeguard Jews. The author and her two composite correspondents wrestle with the Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, including what could and should be done to achieve de-escalation in the region. Lipstadt closes the book on a somewhat upbeat note by explaining how and why Jews should reject being cast as victims and nothing more. "You will encounter antisemitism along the way," she writes, "but I entreat you to avoid letting this 'longest hatred' become the linchpin of your identity."A didactic tour de force presented approachably.

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Starred review from January 1, 2019

With this latest work, Lipstadt (modern Jewish history, Emory Univ.; The Eichmann Trial and Denial) creates an exchange of correspondence between herself and two fictional people: Abigail and Joe. Centering on themes such as rationalizing evil and Holocaust denial, Lipstadt's time line ranges from the possible origins of anti-Semitism dating back to biblical times to contemporary events in Charlottesville, VA. Besides sharing her thoughts on the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, she reflects on propaganda following the 9/11 attacks, anti-Semitism on campus, German Jews wearing baseball caps to hide their kippot on their way to synagogue, and the differences between anti-Semitism and racism. VERDICT Lipstadt's insight and perspective contextualizes current events that mark the recent resurgence of anti-Semitic speech and violence in the United States and Europe, crafting an informative read for those interested in social justice and political and Jewish history.--Jacqueline Parascandola, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

With this latest work, Lipstadt (modern Jewish history, Emory Univ.; The Eichmann Trial and Denial) creates an exchange of correspondence between herself and two fictional people: Abigail and Joe. Centering on themes such as rationalizing evil and Holocaust denial, Lipstadt's time line ranges from the possible origins of anti-Semitism dating back to biblical times to contemporary events in Charlottesville, VA. Besides sharing her thoughts on the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, she reflects on propaganda following the 9/11 attacks, anti-Semitism on campus, German Jews wearing baseball caps to hide their kippot on their way to synagogue, and the differences between anti-Semitism and racism. VERDICT Lipstadt's insight and perspective contextualizes current events that mark the recent resurgence of anti-Semitic speech and violence in the United States and Europe, crafting an informative read for those interested in social justice and political and Jewish history.--Jacqueline Parascandola, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia