Is antisemitism education actually working?

We have a problem. Actually, we have many problems: the rise in antisemitism in various and nefarious forms; the impact it is having on us and young people in particular, individually and collectively; the implications of current attitudes and behaviours on the future of Australian and world Jewry; and what we are going to do about it (expletives deleted).

These issues and questions have been festering for years as antisemitism has steadily grown and morphed across the globe. It would be a gross understatement to say that since October 7, the rise of antisemitism has been exponential – as various reports have documented – hence the sense of real urgency about developing effective and impactful anti-antisemitism strategies.

These approaches can and do take multiple paths, from political measures and public relations campaigns, to educational programs and micro-interventions, such as conversations with friends, colleagues and within local groups and communities.

Here in Australia, as elsewhere around the world, we are putting much of our energy and hopes into educational programs. Some of the plethora currently on offer, many of which have been running for years now, include: Click against Hate, Connecting Cultures (Zionism Victoria), Courage to Care, Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Sydney Jewish Museum, Respect, Understanding and Acceptance (NSW Jewish Board of Deputies), and Together for Humanity. The study of the Holocaust is also mandatory in the history curriculum of various states.

Personal disclosure: I am working on a new schools program at the Jewish Museum of Australia specifically designed to counter antisemitism.