Conference on Muslim Anti-Semitism – The First of its Kind

The Journal for the Study of Anti-Semitism (JSA) will be hosting a conference, the first of its kind, titled ‘Muslim Anti-Semitism’ on October 2-3, 2010 at the Metropolitan DoubleTree Hotel in NYC. Steven K. Baum, co-editor of the JSA, states that the goal of this initial forum “is for scholars to have a home to address Anti-Semitism and this October the focus will be on Islamic Anti-Semitism.”

The roster of participants include some very well known and respected authors, professors, rabbis, and directors of institutes and organizations, along with several established scholars who have spent years of their lives dedicated to the study of Anti-Semitism and Islamic Anti-Semitism. Here is a sampling from the long list of prestigious panelists and speakers that will easily attract attendees: Andrew Bostom, professor of medicine at Brown University and editor of ‘The Legacy of Islamic Anti-Semitism;’ Daniel Pipes, Director of the Middle East Forum, Bruce Bawer, author of  ‘While Europe Slept’ and his latest book ‘Surrender: Appeasing Islam Sacrificing Freedom;’ Michael Berenbaum, Rabbi, Director, professor and author; Sam Endelman, Executive Director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East; and genocide and Judaic studies experts Steve Jacobs and Paul Bartop; along with scholars from Latin America, Europe, North America and Australia.  There is space for only 160 people and the event will begin on Saturday with a cocktail reception, an introduction by Michael Berenbaum and a keynote address by Richard L. Rubenstein. Sunday’s program will include 2 panel discussions and a full afternoon of different speakers. If you are interested in attending, please see the JSA web site quickly to make your reservation. (Link: www.jsantisemitism.org).

The need for a forum of this nature appears to be fittingly timed as global Anti-Semitism is rising and a record-breaking number of attacks are occurring everywhere to Jews and their property. Americans continue to face threats of Islamic terrorist attacks while they witness the growth and influence of the Muslim population in the US. Not since the attacks of 9/11 has the public’s concern and fear of Islam and ‘Sharia Law’ risen so quickly for so many. The recent foiled attacks by the ‘Underwear Bomber’ and ‘Times Square Bomber’, along with the Mosque at Ground Zero debate, have fueled public sentiment. This emotionally charged atmosphere is also polluted by the inability of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to find a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict, and Ahmadinejad’s threatening words.

Steven K. Baum points out “that although the US annual Anti-Semitic rates are steady at about 1,500 incidents a year, everywhere else they are continually on the rise. Canada, which is one-tenth the size of the USA, with a Jewish population of about 350,000, has almost as many incidents. In Toronto and London, anti-Israeli rhetoric is ear shattering and the fallout to local Jews appears in swastikas on homes and businesses. And, where The Stephen Roth Center in Tel Aviv recorded 100 serious Anti-Semitic attacks in 1989, there are now approximately 1,200. The vast majority of these bias attacks are Muslim youth based.” 

It should be noted that the JSA describes itself as: “A select group of independent scholars who are interested in examining Anti-Semitism in all its forms. This group is not affiliated with any institution or financially dependent on a single source of funding. We have in common an understanding of Anti-Semitism as a social pathology that must be eradicated.” It is working towards this eradication that the JSA has orchestrated the first ‘Conference on Muslim Anti-Semitism’ and they hope the success of NYC’s will lead to several more conferences in the near future.