Today, antisemitism is still a social and political problem. However, many disagree as to what it actually is. This course explores the various efforts in history to define antisemitism and the political factors that inform them. We examine a few contemporary definitions of antisemitism and evaluate the political worldviews of each, so that participants can consider the role these definitions play in efforts to counter antisemitism as well as how they inform broader socio-political concerns. Ben Sax, ICJS Jewish scholar, presented a 3-session course called "Anti-Semitism (Un)Defined" last October. In the first three sessions of this course, we will view the recorded classes as a group and then discuss what we have viewed with Lee Sherman, our Executive Director, who will facilitate these discussions. Ben will then come in person for a fourth session to answer our questions and orchestrate our rich discussion about this very important topic.

Ben Sax is the Jewish Scholar and the Head of Scholarship at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies in Baltimore. He has published on topics relating to Jewish philosophy, German-Jewish history and culture, Jewish-Christian relations, and interreligious dialogue. Ben currently serves as the co-chair for the Religion, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies Unit for American Academy of Religion (AAR). His most recent research project, a book entitled “Winged Words: Benjamin, Rosenzweig, and the Life of Quotation” was published in July of 2023 (Brill). His current research project, a book entitled “Israel, Antisemitism, and Interreligious Dialogue: Definitions, Encounters and Hopes” will be published in the summer of 2025 (Bloomsbury).

Policies and Registration:
All SPICE courses must be registered for and paid for in their entirety. SPICE fees are per head, not per household, with a 50% off fee for second registrants within the same household.

A minimum of 15 enrollees per course are required in order to hold the course. If a course must be canceled, those registered will be notified and a SPICE credit will be issued.

Reservations are to be made online (below)

Payment may be made in one of three ways:
1. Credit/Debit Card
2. Bill your synagogue account HSOSC Members only.
3. Check Make the check out to “SPICE at HSOSC” and drop off at our office, or mail it to us (7310 Park Heights Ave. 21208)
Regardless of how you pay, you must register online!