Shedding Light on Antisemitism: A University Approach
University Hostility Towards Jews
Universities in Germany are grappling with an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, a phenomenon that extends beyond their walls. As a step towards change, Senator Kathrin Moosdorf hosted an interdisciplinary conference on antisemitism at Forum am Domshof.
The conference's mission was clear: to foster understanding of antisemitism from multiple angles and devise strategies to combat it within academic institutions. Senator Moosdorf underscored the urgency, stating, "Antisemitism has no place in Bremen. We need to foster the right instincts and confidence to address these issues head-on." Universities, straddling the line between ensuring student rights and promoting academic freedom, are uniquely positioned to tackle this challenge.
Empowering with Knowledge
The conference aimed to sensitize staff and leaders in decision-making and advisory roles to identify antisemitic behaviors, empathize with those affected, and understand the response options universities have at their disposal. The event brought together university heads, employees, the Science Ministry, the Union of Jewish Students North, and experts like Thorge Koehler, head of the Bremen State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and Dr. Hannah Pfeifer, head of the Research Group Social Peace and Domestic Security at the University of Hamburg. They exchanged ideas and sought practical solutions.
"We aim to create safe spaces for all our students and employees. Only then can they thrive, whether in research, studies, teaching, or work," asserted Senator Kathrin Moosdorf at the conference's conclusion.
Strategies to Counter Antisemitism
Multiple strategies are under development to address the rising antisemitism in universities. These include:
- Awareness Symposiums: Symposia, like the one in Bremen, promote understanding among staff about antisemitic behavior and its impact, offering a platform for open discussions and developing appropriate responses.
- Expertise and Training: Universities are investing in acquiring the necessary knowledge to handle antisemitic incidents effectively, including training staff to identify and address such behaviors.
- Community Collaboration: Partnering with student unions, such as the Verband jüdischer Studierender Nord, helps create a safer environment for Jewish students and fosters a climate of understanding and solidarity.
- Policy Development: Developing and enforcing policies that explicitly condemn antisemitism and outline reporting and response procedures is crucial.
- Community Engagement: Engaging with broader societal efforts to combat antisemitism can help universities address the issue more effectively.
- Education and Research Initiatives: Integrating antisemitism education into university curricula and conducting research on understanding and countering antisemitism can further enhance a safe and inclusive academia.
By adopting these strategies, universities hope to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all students and staff.
- Recognizing the importance of workplace wellness and health-and-wellness, universities are organizing awareness symposiums on antisemitism, such as the one in Bremen, to sensitize staff and foster understanding about antisemitic behavior and its impact.
- Universities are committed to the education-and-self-development of their staff, investing in expertise and training programs to equip them with the necessary knowledge to handle antisemitic incidents effectively.
- Forging partnerships with student unions like the Verband jüdischer Studierender Nord contributes to community collaboration, fostering a safer environment for Jewish students and promoting a climate of understanding and solidarity.
- Universities are developing and enforcing policies that explicitly condemn antisemitism, outlining reporting and response procedures to address incidents effectively and ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
- To further combat antisemitism, universities are engaging with broader societal efforts and integrating antisemitism education into their curriculum, conduct research, and promote learning opportunities focused on understanding and countering antisemitism.
