The Social and Psychological Impact of Contemporary Antisemitism on Jews

Antisemitism today is often experienced not only through discrete incidents, but as a persistent psychological climate that shapes how Jewish individuals understand themselves and their social worlds. In this talk, Caryn Block and Yael Silverstein present findings from their ongoing research on contemporary antisemitic experiences, including the development and validation of a new psychometric measure designed to capture everyday exposure to antisemitism.

The talk examines how exposure to contemporary antisemitism is associated with mental health and well-being, sense of belonging, and indicators of post traumatic growth, which refers to positive psychological changes that can emerge through meaning making and adaptation in the context of sustained adversity. The presentation concludes with implications for future research, institutional leadership, and philanthropic investment in evidence-based responses to antisemitism, as well as reflections on the role of universities and research centers in advancing rigorous, interdisciplinary scholarship in this area.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher NYU Center for the Study of Antisemitism