Jewish Studies Weighs How to Move Forward Post-Oct. 7

"The new role, linking Holocaust and antisemitism studies, was born out of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza, which spurred student protests across the country and reports of antisemitic incidents. Adam Rovner, the center's director, said some protest materials distributed on campus veered into "exterminationist antisemitism," which he said was a "wake-up call" that students needed better antisemitism education."

"Now fundraising for the position is "most of the way there," and the university has thrown its support behind the role, promoting it as part of its "Denver Difference" campaign. And beyond the new position, the Judaic studies program is growing, "dramatically" expanding classes to meet steady enrollments, Rovner said, with students asking "probing but also civil questions" about current events."

"Like University of Denver, a slew of higher ed institutions have announced new Jewish and antisemitism studies initiatives in recent months. University of Texas at Austin is starting a program on "Jewish and Western Civilization" this fall, complete with a study abroad opportunity in Israel and a scholarship program for students interested in the topic. Touro University, founded to serve the Jewish community in New York City, launched an Antisemitism Institute this spring to house its year-old Antisemitism Law Clinic, and a new fellowship program to train faculty to teach antisemitism courses across the country."

The University of Denver’s Center for Judaic Studies is hiring a new endowed professor focused on Holocaust and antisemitism awareness to strengthen long-running Holocaust education programming. The role connects Holocaust and antisemitism studies and was prompted by the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, which led to student protests and reports of antisemitic incidents. Center leadership said some protest materials included “exterminationist antisemitism,” described as a wake-up call for improved antisemitism education. Fundraising is nearly complete, and the university supports the position through its “Denver Difference” campaign. The Judaic studies program is also expanding classes to meet steady enrollment demand, while other universities are launching related Jewish and antisemitism initiatives.

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