Antisemitism

The world’s oldest hatred

antisemitism quote and featured banner page header rabbi sacks magen david anti semitism

What is Antisemitism?

Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rabbi Sacks defines the application of antisemitism as “persecuting Jews and denying them the right to exist collectively with the same rights as everyone else.”

In a powerful video, he likened antisemitism to a mutating virus mutating virus, as the reasons for this hate change over time. He emphasised that antisemitism is not truly about Jews but about the haters. While it begins with Jews, it often spreads to other minorities. Rabbi Sacks noted, “Hate harms the hated but destroys the hater.”

Speaking in the House of Lords, he warned that antisemitism becomes dangerous when it moves from political fringes to the mainstream, gains public tolerance, and silences those who oppose it.

Explore Rabbi Sacks’ articles, videos, and resources on this critical issue, and use them as tools to combat the world’s oldest hatred.

antisemitism animation screenshot frontpage title page whiteboard

The Mutation of Antisemitism

A whiteboard animated video in which Rabbi Sacks describes antisemitism as a virus which persists and mutates over time.

European Parliament Rabbi Sacks speak on antisemitism 2016 hate that begins with jews keynote podium

Understanding Antisemitism

Watch this impactful keynote address, delivered by Rabbi Sacks to the European Parliament on the mutating virus of antisemitism.

jewish star of david magen david judaism symbol antisemitism wall

Antisemitism Teaching Resources

A robust collection of resources and texts for educators who wish to teach ideas shared by Rabbi Sacks on the issue of antisemitism.

US Holocause Museum e1398975107607

Voices on Antisemitism

In 2014 Rabbi Sacks appeared on a podcast for The US Holocaust Museum and spoke about the ways in which antisemitism has mutated over time.

prayer for jerusalem yerushalayim israel tefillah eretz yisrael1

The Connection Between Judaism and Israel

A whiteboard animated video in which Rabbi Sacks explains the everlasting links between the land of Israel and the Jewish People.

rabbi sacks on future tense jinsider youtube thumbnail

The World’s Oldest Hatred

A short video where Rabbi Sacks succinctly lays out the historical evolution of antisemitism.

WSJ image e1412290037698

Europe’s New Antisemitism

This Wall Street Journal piece outlines Europe’s alarming increase in antisemitism.

Image of Solar eclipse with solar flare that makes for an orange glow around the black moon

What is Antisemitism?

Read an extract from Rabbi Sacks’ bestseller, Not in Gods Name: Confronting Religious Violence.

BDS 640px347

Rabbi Sacks on BDS

An animated video which discusses the boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign against Israel.

Future Tense e1379272985492 edited

The New Antisemitism

Read a chapter from Future Tense entitled, The New Antisemitism: What is it, and how do we deal with it?

The building of the warsaw ghetto

Antisemitism Matters

In this BBC radio “Thought for the Day”, Rabbi Sacks stated that antisemitism matters because it’s an assault on humanity.

antizionism post 1536x1041 1

Anti-Zionism is the New Antisemitism

In this Newsweek article published in 2016, Rabbi Sacks elaborated on the way anti-Zionism masks a deeper antisemitism.

House of Lords 16 July 2015 Homepage

Debate in the House of Lords

In 2018, Rabbi Lord Sacks spoke in a House of Lords debate on antisemitism in Britain, and when hatred becomes dangerous.

WSJ image jan 20151

The Return of Antisemitism

This Wall Street Journal piece pleads for a pivot after a marked increase in antisemitism in 2015.

antisemitism america 1

American Antisemitism

The keys to understanding American antisemitism and fighting back, published by the JTA.

antisemitism shoot growth birth of the worlds oldest hate hatred life survival crack marble ground cactus thorns sprout 1

The Birth of the World’s Oldest Hate

This Covenant & Conversation piece takes a look at the origins of antisemitism.

The Bright Sun Blue Sky Clouds

John Paul’s blow against a virus of the soul

A hopeful look at the healing direction of the Judeo-Christian relationship.

This page is dedicated in honor of Shari Redstone and her children, and all of our grandchildren.