About
Our founding principle is that the study of antisemitism is vital to understanding all forms of racism, prejudice and xenophobia. We are a centre of innovative research and teaching and contribute to discussion and public policy formation on antisemitism and intolerance. Based at Birkbeck, University of London, and established by Pears Foundation in 2010, the Pears Institute is both independent and inclusive.
NEWS
Birkbeck's new course on antisemitism
"Never has a course been so timely and so needed" read Brendan McGeever’s blog
Jews, Money, Myth
19.03.2019 - 17.10.2019
A public exhibition and series of events in collaboration with Jewish Museum London
Jews, Money, Myth Book
This publication was created to complement the exhibition Jews, Money, Myth with contributions from international scholars and artists exploring some of its key themes.
Boycotts Past and Present
From the American Revolution to the Campaign to Boycott Israel
Historians and social scientists examine boycotts from the 18th century to the present day to show how they have changed over time.
Edited by David Feldman
Palgrave Macmillan 2019
Toward a History of the Term “Anti-Semitism”
David Feldman traces the changing meanings of the term ‘anti-Semitism’ from the late nineteenth century to the present.
The American Historical Review Roundtable: Rethinking Anti-Semitism
The American Historical Review »
Corbyn’s Labour, British Jews and Antisemitism: Will Peace Now Break Out?
Or are the conflicts too deep and the definition of antisemitism too flimsy?
Read David Feldman and Brendan McGeever
Antisemitism and Immigration in Western Europe Today: is there a connection?
A five-nation study - April 2018
The Left and Antisemitism
We need more than denunciations and expulsions to confront how the Left talks about capitalism, race and Jews - read David Feldman and Brendan McGeever
See Our Research »Study
Facing Antisemitism: Politics, Culture, History
How can we recognise and define antisemitism? How does it relate to other forms of racism? How widespread is antisemitism? Where does it come from? Why does it persist?
New short course starts at Birkbeck September 2019
Study With Us
The Institute is located within Birkbeck College, a world-class research and teaching institution. We have unrivalled expertise in the teaching of religious and racial intolerance and multiculturalism across a wide range of disciplines.
At Birkbeck you can study: antisemitism, ethnicity, immigration, intolerance and identity, multiculturalism, racialization, racism and xenophobia.
Study with us »Events
Jews, Money, Myth
19.03.2019 - 17.10.2019
A public exhibition and series of events in collaboration with Jewish Museum London
Psychoanalysis as Decolonial Judaism
29.10.2019
Stephen Frosh, Birkbeck, University of London
The Oberammergau Passion Play: Actors, Audiences, and Antisemitism c. 1860-1910
04.11.2019
Robert Priest, Royal Holloway, University of London
From Realistic Conflict to Relative Deprivation: Rethinking the Psychology of Antisemitism
19.11.2019
Anthony Kauders, Keele University
View all upcoming events »
Latest Podcasts
Jewish Money and the Image of the Jewish Body in the Middle Ages
Professor Lipton traces the slowly evolving image of Jews in medieval art, depicted first as worldly and materialistic, and, ultimately, dangerous and demonic.
On the Road: Jewish Peddling and the Shaping of Jewish History
Professor Diner reveals how the practice of peddling changed over centuries, and what its impact has been on the great Jewish migrations out of Europe.
From Amsterdam to Istanbul: Fundraising and Jewish Refugee Relief in the Seventeenth Century
Professor Teller examines the ways in which Jews across Europe and Asia co-operated in helping the tens of thousands of their co-religionists displaced by the mid-seventeenth century wars in eastern Europe.
Shidduchim - Deals Made in Heaven: Romance, Politics and Economics
Professor Zadoff examines the ways historical experiences have influenced Jewish life throughout modernity up until today.
German Reparations and the Impact of Post War Jewish Politics
Professor Ron Zweig explores the difficult decisions that Jewish leaders in Israel and the diaspora had to make before it was possible to even begin the pursuit of economic justice.
Excavating Philip Roth: On Beginning a Biographical Study
Professor Steven Zipperstein shares some preliminary insights on Philip Roth's life and work.
Placeless People: The Calamity of Statelessness
Our panel explores how exiles from other places have called into question ideas about sovereignty, law and nationhood.
'Warrant for Genocide'? Hitler, the Holocaust and the 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion'
Holocaust Memorial Day lecture by Professor Richard Evans
Challenging Denial: From Slavery to the Holocaust
Our panel of experts explore how and why denial operates.
After Multiculturalism?
Conversations between History and Sociology.
view our podcasts »