Adapting Podcast: Responding to Antisemitism in a Post Colleyville World

Why did a terrorist think a rabbi in suburban Texas had the power to free a political prisoner? What psychological forces motivate Antisemitic thoughts and behavior?  How do we educate the "Don't Know's, Don't Care's" of the world on the impact of these incidents? Renowned scholar Dr. Rachel Fish tackles these difficult questions. She explains why Antisemitism will never disappear and how Jewish educators can prepare their students - and themselves - to remain proud, strong, and resilient in the face of Antisemitism.  

"When the terrorist asks the rabbi to call another rabbi in order to leverage political officials, that is playing off the conspiracy theory that Jews are part of a larger cabal... That is not a new trope. It highlights why history matters. It is why we need our educators to understand how these Antisemitic tropes emerged."  

​Dr. Rachel Fish
Scholar Warrior
Co-Founder, Boundless Israel 

Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education is a production of The Jewish Education Project. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. 

This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Gabriel Weinstein.  The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media.  If you enjoyed the show please leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released.

Looking for more support in response to Colleyville? We hosted a webinar with Dr. Betsy Stone of HUC-JIR and Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller of Temple Chaverim in Plainview, N.Y. discussing how educators can cope with the trauma of last Shabbat's events. Watch the webinar here and access other resources about responding to antisemitism here.