Join us for this timely and relevant conference to explore anti-Semitism in the Americas, contextualizing this very important topic, both historically and geographically. The year 2019 marks:

• The 100th anniversary of the Tragic Week in Buenos Aires, the first violent outburst of anti-Semitism in the history of the Western Hemisphere .

• The 25th anniversary of the AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, the deadliest anti-Semitic attack after the defeat of the fascist powers in 1945.

In addition, 2018 witnessed a dramatic upsurge in anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic violence in the United States.

The goal of this conference is to provide a fresh perspective about anti-Semitism in the Americas. We hope to address the roots and the effects of these anti-Semitic events and use these moments to reflect on the experience and practice of anti-Semitism in the Americas. What new insights can be gained by looking at anti-Semitism from a hemispheric perspective [aka North and South America] rather than just looking across the Atlantic? Indeed, how will one see 'American' Jewish history [aka North American] with fresh eyes when considering aspects of the South American experience? What can thinking anew about anti-Semitism in North and South America teach us about anti-Semitism as a concept and Jewish life in the Americas? In this new age of extremism, it is more important than ever to study the intersection of anti-Semitism, racism, and populism.

Schedule:

At the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies - 617 Kent Hall, 1140 Amsterdam Avenue

1:00 pm: Opening Remarks

1:20 pm: What Do We Mean When We Say 'Antisemitism'? with David Engel

2:00 pm: Anti-Semitism in Latin America panel with Federico Finchelstein, Judit Bokser Liwerant, Alberto Spektorowski, and Natasha Zaretsky

4:00 pm: The Long History of Anti-Semitism in North America panel with Rebecca Kobrin, Menhaz Afridi, Katherine Benton-Cohen, and Rachel Gordan

At Barnard College's Diana Center- 3009 Broadway

6:00 pm: Anti-Semitism, Populism, and Migration in Latin American History with Federico Finchelstein

7 pm: Reception hosted by Barnard Forum on Migration

Co-Sponsored by the Barnard Forum on Migration, Columbia University’s Institute for Latin American Studies, Columbia University’s Hispanic Institute for Latin American and Iberian Cultures, the Latin American Jewish Studies Association, and The New School for Social Research.

Registration is available for the full conference or a portion of the programs.