Cut Through the Hateful Rhetoric With These Must-Read Books About Antisemitism

If you've so much at looked at the news lately, you'll know that for the past several years, antisemitism has been on the rise. While it is not the responsibility of Jews to educate about or explain antisemitism, as a Jew, I wanted to help frame the issues of antisemitism by featuring fantastic books about antisemitism in the past, and modern antisemitism that I think do a good job of not only investigating the rise of hatred and prejudice towards Jews in the recent past and where antisemitism is now.

Because, to be honest, it’s been really bad lately — and it’s unacceptable. Not just celebrities and politicians making thinly-veiled or open threats against Jews, but terrible incidents of antisemitic hate on the streets. In my own neighborhood in Brooklyn, men have been beaten, children have been threatened, and disgusting antisemitic graffiti has been sprayed across multiple buildings, fences, vans, and subway pylons. People are scared, but they’re not surprised. Every time people in powerful positions vocalize hateful rhetoric, attacks amp up. Hearing chants of “Jews will not replace us” and celebrities wanting to go “death con 3” on Jews (which, by the way, makes no sense even if you translate it to the DEFCON levels), is not new.

One of the best ways we have to fight this, and hold onto hope that future generations aren’t poisoned by their lies is through education. Books about antisemitism that are engaging, thorough, and provide honest depictions of the hate we face can be a first step. Each of these books has been chosen personally and while they can be hard to read, they’re well-written, engaging, and necessary.