A History of Antisemitism and How to Help

By: Mendel Cohen

​What is Judaism?

Judaism is an ethnoreligion. The reason Judaism is an ethnoreligion is because unlike other major religions, Judaism was not spread by force, but instead by genetics. Judaism includes many types of Jews, such as Mizrahim (stayed in the Middle East after exile), Sephardim (Jews that moved to Spain, Portugal, or northern Africa after exile) and Ashkenazim (Jews that moved to Europe after exile). These are the main Jewish groups, and all have similar DNA features. All these groups have distinct cultures, as well as sharing the Jewish culture. Most people in these groups also have DNA that is between Middle Eastern, and where they moved after exile.

However, there are also converted Jews, Ethiopian Jews, Indian Jews, and more.


What is antisemitism?

Antisemitism is hatred or discrimination against Jews, specifically because of their ethnicity. It is rooted in beliefs that Jews are powerful, rich, and greedy, and want to take over the world. The Holocaust is one of the most extreme examples of this, however antisemitism is very prevalent and has existed for a very long time. Antisemitism is often called history’s oldest hatred. When Jews originated in Judea- (modern day Jerusalem) Jews were often persecuted or forced to convert to other religions. With the rise of Christianity, hatred of Jews became more widespread, as Jews were accused of killing Jesus, spreading plagues, and killing babies. Because of this, Jews were unable to get citizenship to many European countries, and were forced to distinguish themselves from non Jews. In Arab countries, many people did not believe in self determination and thought that Jews were sub-par, murdering or converting Jews.


Modern antisemitism

Antisemitism is still common today, as in the USA, 57.8 percent of religion based hate crimes are antisemitic. Antisemitism is rising, and there seems to not be consequences. Antisemitism is praised, and Jews are safe nowhere. 97% of Jewish college students have experienced antisemitism on campus. However, this is barely talked about.


How you can help

Ways to help lower antisemitism are to hold antisemites accountable, listen to Jewish voices, correct people with harmful opinions, and support Jews’ right to self determination and to safety. Also, educate yourself further by reading books by Jews, documentaries on antisemitism, etc.


“What one Christian does is his own responsibility, what one Jew does is thrown back at all Jews.”

― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl