Despite being known as “people of the book,” Jews have had a vexed experience with the modern university. While their tradition of scholarly study has drawn them to the academy, they have often met with antisemitic discrimination. At the same time, Jewish university students and faculty have often asserted themselves by engaging in important social, political, and intellectual causes. In the modern era, Jews on college campuses have continually navigated between the obstructions of antisemitism and the opportunities of activism.
This double-sided reality has recently gained new attention, as college campuses have become hotbeds of student protest due to the renewed war in the Middle East. To provide insight into recent events, Between Antisemitism and Activism presents a series of historical vignettes demonstrating the turbulent experience of Jewish students and faculty at European and U.S. universities in the past century.
The exhibition addresses several timely issues: how Jews have all too often experienced antisemitism on college campuses; how Jews have just as often asserted themselves through campus activism; and how, in doing so, Jews have as often disagreed as agreed with one another.
Between Antisemitism and Activism: The Jewish University Experience in Historical Perspective is presented by the
Center for Jewish History.
This online exhibition from the Center for Jewish History is part of a series of programs and offerings on the topic of antisemitism on college campuses, generously supported by a grant from the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation. The series aims to provide resources to incoming college students and their families through workshops, an online exhibition, and a forthcoming panel discussion at OJMCHE. Thank you to our partners College Counseling 4 U, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation, and PDX Hillel.
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