In this class, I will discuss the origin of Anti-Semitism or Anti-Judaism in the Greco-Roman World and its intellectual foundation in the Christian Canon and writings of Saint Augustine. We will study major events of Anti-Semitic violence against Jews from the Crusades through the Holocaust. We will delve into the considerable efforts of the Catholic Church and Protestant movements to change the narrative about Jews in the post-World War II world and reconcile with Jews. We will consider issues relating to reestablishment of the state of Israel in 1948. We will also compare Jewish and Christian views of forgiveness in the context of confronting the history that we will discuss. We will also consider anti-Semitism and its relationship with other forms of bigotry and racism.  I plan to lecture through the use of a Power Point presentation and encourage extensive discussion.

Weekly preparation time is one to one and a half hours, with readings assigned from the books mentioned below, and occasional optional readings.