The Deep Rift Between Holocaust Scholars over Israel/Palestine

This webinar will examine divisions that have emerged in the field of Holocaust Studies over Israel/Palestine. Guest speaker Prof. Shira Klein will draw from her recent research to describe the chasm that has been forming between Holocaust scholars for decades, but especially since October 7. She will explain that, unlike previous controversies in the field, the current divide is neither methodological nor historical; it revolves around scholars’ role in the world today, particularly the public stand they take on Palestine/Israel. Central to this rift is the question of the Holocaust’s uniqueness and legacy.

Speaker Bio : Shira Klein is associate professor and chair of history at Chapman University. Her book Italy's Jews from Emancipation to Fascism , ranked finalist for the 2018 National Jewish Book Award, has just come out in Hebrew. Her co-authored article on Wikipedia’s distortion of the Holocaust went viral, with 75,000 views. A scholar-activist, Klein is co-founder of Academics for Peace, an organization that brings academics to social media to call for equality for all between the river and the sea.

Additional Information and Registration : This event is meant to spotlight ongoing conversations in the field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Our guest speaker's perspective should not be taken as representative of the Cohen Institute or Keene State College as a whole. This offering is made possible through donor funding.

The webinar is free and open to everyone, but advanced registration is required. REGISTER HERE.

This event is part of the Cohen Institute calendar.