(Courtesy of Touro) As antisemitism rises around the country and the globe, education is critical to combatting this scourge. Learning about the historic roots of antisemitism through the centuries and training teachers to empower Jewish students of all ages with knowledge and advocacy skills is the focus of a number of new programs at Touro.
This spring, a special course from Touro’s Graduate School of Jewish Studies on the history of antisemitism is making its debut for students as well as interested community members. Additionally, Touro is launching a master’s degree in Holocaust, Genocide and Tolerance Education through its Graduate School of Education, beginning this summer.
History of Antisemitism Course Open to All
The history of antisemitism course addresses the origins of antisemitism, its evolution throughout the ages, what factors have influenced its rise and how those factors shape the way antisemitism is expressed in various time periods and locations. The history of antisemitism course begins Jan. 26 and will be offered Sunday mornings on Zoom. This course is open to matriculated students at Touro’s Graduate School of Jewish Studies and anyone in the community who wishes to audit it.
“Since last Oct. 7, antisemitism has erupted around the world, in the Middle East and throughout Europe and North America,” said Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of Touro’s Graduate School of Jewish Studies. “While antisemitism was always present in the United States, the sheer number and magnitude of antisemitic acts, around college campuses and in public spaces throughout the country, has no precedent in U.S. history.”
The course will feature lectures by historians and members of Touro’s expert faculty. Topics will range from antisemitism in the Greco-Roman world, medieval Christian and Islamic forms of antisemitism to Nazism and the Holocaust, antisemitism in the 21st century and theological responses to antisemitism.
Master’s Degree in Holocaust Education
The master’s degree in Holocaust, Genocide and Tolerance Education is a two-year program designed for elementary, middle and high school teachers in yeshivot and public schools as well as museum educators.
This program will offer comprehensive training in pedagogy and content and will cover Teaching About and Combating Antisemitism, Lessons in Courage and Resilience, Psychology and Philosophy of Evil and Holocaust Literature.
Led by psychologist and professor at Touro’s Graduate School of Education, Dr. Jeff Lichtman, the master’s in Holocaust education is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree who seeks training in this area.
“As society becomes increasingly polarized and plagued by intolerance, we can offer an antidote by training teachers to educate our children about the Holocaust and antisemitism,” said Lichtman. “It’s not just to learn about what happened during World War II and the atrocities perpetrated against the Jews in concentration camps. This program will also train teachers to teach children how to learn from the past to address current and future antisemitism.”
For more information on the history of antisemitism course, contact Karen Rubin at [email protected] or (646) 777-9581. For more information on the master’s degree in Holocaust education, contact Lichtman at [email protected] or (646) 565 6115. Scholarship and tuition assistance will be available.
