Antisemitism is reemerging in the form of hate speech, vandalism, and even murder. For many, this surge has been intensified by the Israeli–Hamas war and the broader, deeply complex questions surrounding the future of Israel and the Palestinians. Much of the debate—and, in some cases, the violence—has converged on college campuses. We will begin there, with a discussion featuring two experts who will examine what is happening on campuses today and explore both the myths and the realities behind these developments.
Speakers:
Vikki Katz, Ph.D. is a Professor in the School of Communication, and Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair in Free Speech, at Chapman University. She is also Executive Director of Or Initiative, which is dedicated to developing evidence-based alternatives to how young people (dis)engage with each other over contentious and complex issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. antisemitism. Or Initiative develops civil discourse interventions specific to the needs of middle school, high school, and college-aged young people, with an emphasis on how to develop these crucial communication skills in an increasingly digital information environment. Dr. Katz’s research program examines how young people and parents navigate technology use as part of their developmental trajectories. Her research has advanced equitable access to digital and educational opportunities for lower-income, working-class, and immigrant young people and families, with support from funders including Samueli Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Spencer Foundation. She serves as an advisor to Sesame Workshop, PBS Kids, and on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Families Learning.
Graham Wright, Ph.D., is an associate research scientist at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and an associate research professor at the Heller School for Social Policy. At the Cohen Center, he helps direct a long-running program of research exploring social divisions and prejudice, including antisemitism, on US college campuses. He has published numerous reports and academic articles exploring the dynamics of contemporary antisemitism and American Jews’ relationship to Israel. His other work investigates the complex intersection between attitudes and identities in American politics and the role of political dialogue in democratic governance. He is the author of Persuasion, Integration, and Deliberative Democracy: The Will of the Whole (Routledge, 2025).
Arno Rosenfeld, the moderator, is enterprise reporter at the Forward and author of the Antisemitism Decoded newsletter. An award-winning investigative journalist, he has chronicled the Jewish American response to antisemitism, including Jewish college students confronting hostile political climates on campus, local communities grappling with white supremacist propaganda, and the deep rifts among national organizations over how to keep Jews safe. Rosenfeld is based in Washington, D.C., and has reported for the Forward from Charlottesville, Virginia, Colleyville, Texas, Tel Aviv, Berlin, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and elsewhere. He won a 2025 Deadline Club Award from the New York City chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for his coverage of American Jewish philanthropy in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war, and the Boris Smolar Award for Excellence in Investigative Reporting from the American Jewish Press Association in 2023 for his article on the experience of Jewish students engaged in Israel politics at George Washington University.
You can sign up for Arno Rosenfeld’s free Forward newsletter, Antisemitism Decoded: a biweekly guide to help you understand the debates over Jewish safety that are shaping American life.
Link: https://forward.com/newsletters/antisemitism-decoded/?ref=NFPP
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