Against anti-Semitism
Measures against anti-Semitism
In the context of its diversity policy and broad-based anti-discrimination measures, Bielefeld University opposes all forms and expressions of anti-Semitism.
Particularly in light of the current situation in the Middle East and its impact on anti-Semitism in Germany and especially at universities, Bielefeld University is committed to raising awareness of the issues of anti-Semitism and racism at all levels and in all status groups, increasing the ability to speak and act in dealing with these issues and strengthening the counselling and support structures at Bielefeld University.
Training courses, workshops and lectures
In the 4th quarter of 2024, a wide range of awareness-raising programmes were held for various target groups at Bielefeld University with the aim of strengthening the advisory and support structures. The evaluation of the measures and the subsequent planning of further programmes in 2025 are still ongoing.
The programmes were funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Offers for all university members
- Online Lunch & Learn "What is Israel-related antisemitism?"
Description
Israel-related anti-Semitism is the predominant form of Jew-hatred worldwide today. Traditional motifs of hostility towards Jews are transferred to the Jewish state, making Israel the 'Jew among states'. Since 7 October 2023 in particular, the number of anti-Israel incidents and statements has also increased massively in Germany. The lecture will provide an insight into the basic motives of Israel-related anti-Semitism and will also compare some of the myths and legends spread in this worldview with regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict with reality. The lecture will serve as a basis for understanding and recognising Israel-related anti-Semitism. Only on this basis can we counteract Israel-related anti-Semitism and develop and strengthen support options and structures.
Consultants
Andreas Stahl heads the counselling centre against anti-Semitism at universities in North Rhine-Westphalia (RIAS NRW). He has been active in political education for many years and is co-editor of the volumes "Konformistische Rebellen" (2020), "Subjekt und Befreiung" (2022), "Probleme des Antirassismus" (2022), "Erinnern als höchste Form des Vergessens?" (2023) and "Faces of Political Islam" (2023). He is also a founding member of the Society for Critical Education and a member of the Centre for Anti-Semitism and Racism Research (CARS) Aachen.
Offers for students
- Online workshop "Talking about the Middle East conflict - basics, self-reflection and support options" for students
Appointment 1: Basics of the Middle East conflict
Description
This workshop offers a comprehensive overview of the history of the Middle East conflict and its current developments. In addition to conveying the historical and political background, the focus will be on recognising and dealing with anti-Semitism and racism. Participants will reflect on how the Middle East conflict and the associated discussions can also lead to anti-Semitic and racist statements in Germany and learn how they can react to them.
Participants will be able to recognise anti-Semitism and racism in the context of the Middle East conflict and take action against it. In addition, they will receive argumentation aids and support options for those affected and reflect on the distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
Event 2: Braver Space - Talking about the Middle East conflict
Description
This workshop offers a space in which participants can talk openly about the Middle East conflict. There will be room for different feelings, perspectives and uncomfortable questions. In addition to raising awareness of the complex realities of the Middle East conflict, a special focus will be placed on recognising anti-Semitism and racism in the context of the conflict. Participants are empowered to recognise anti-Semitism and racism, actively campaign against it and support those affected in their everyday university life.
Participants are empowered to develop possible courses of action and argumentation aids in order to act more confidently in dealing with anti-Semitism and racism. The distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is also addressed in order to avoid misunderstandings and promote well-founded discussions.
Consultants
Online workshops with two consultants from the "Israel-Palestine educational videos" training team.
Christoph Dinkelaker studied Islam, politics and history with a focus on West Asia. The co-founder of Alsharq - now dis:orient - worked for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Willy Brandt Centre in Jerusalem between 2011 and 2014. In Berlin, he works as Managing Director for Alsharq REISE. Christoph regularly gives lectures, moderates events and leads educational seminars on topics that connect West Asia and Europe.
Amina Nolte is a sociologist and political educator. She specialises in feminist theory and practice, critical security research, as well as forms of anti-Semitism and racism in relation to Israel/Palestine debates. She has led numerous educational trips to Israel and Palestine and holds a Master's degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a PhD on Israel and Palestine.
Johanna Voß has worked for many years as an educational consultant in the field of political education, specialising in criticism of anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination. She studied Public History, European Studies and the Honours Program for Peace and Conflict Studies in Haifa.
- Workshop "Antisemitism - Perceiving and encountering" for students
Description
Modern anti-Semitism manifests itself in various ways. Being able to recognise it in all its facets is the foundation for being able to take further steps and measures against it. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the situation in Germany and worldwide has become even more complex. A new normality seems to be taking hold, in which anti-Semitism is gradually becoming less taboo, while at the same time appearing more disinhibited and also increasingly gaining ground at universities.
In this workshop, staff from the Service Agency for Anti-Discrimination Work, Advice on Racism and Anti-Semitism(SABRA) will provide a basic overview of the topic of anti-Semitism and show how current forms of anti-Semitism can be recognised in everyday university life. Participants will be able to recognise anti-Semitic symbols, codes and images as well as statements with an anti-Semitic core. They will also learn about Jewish people's perceptions and experiences of anti-Semitism.
The workshop will also focus on how participants can counter anti-Semitism in their everyday university life. They will be shown possible courses of action and argumentation aids to support those affected by anti-Semitism. They will also be informed about counselling options and contact points for those affected by anti-Semitism.
Consultants
Employees of the Service Centre for Anti-Discrimination Work, Advice on Racism and Anti-Semitism (SABRA)
Offers for departmental student representative committees and university groups
- Online workshop "Middle East conflict - sensitisation, support options and methods of intervention and moderation"
Description
This workshop offers a compact overview of the history and current realities of the Middle East conflict, with a special focus on anti-Semitism and racism. Participants will not only learn to understand the conflict in all its complexity, but will also be sensitised to how anti-Semitism and racism occur in the context of the Middle East conflict and how they can actively combat them. Practical methods are taught to support those affected and to help them argue confidently in conflict situations.
Participants are empowered to take a stand against anti-Semitism and racism in a student context. They are given concrete options for action and argumentation aids and reflect on the distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in order to enable a differentiated and reflective discussion of the topic.
Consultants
Online workshop with two consultants from the "Israel-Palestine educational videos" training team.
Christoph Dinkelaker studied Islam, politics and history with a focus on West Asia. The co-founder of Alsharq - now dis:orient - worked for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Willy Brandt Centre in Jerusalem between 2011 and 2014. In Berlin, he works as Managing Director for Alsharq REISE. Christoph regularly gives lectures, moderates events and leads educational seminars on topics that connect West Asia and Europe.
Amina Nolte is a sociologist and political educator. She specialises in feminist theory and practice, critical security research, as well as forms of anti-Semitism and racism in relation to Israel/Palestine debates. She has led numerous educational trips to Israel and Palestine and holds a Master's degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a PhD on Israel and Palestine.
Johanna Voß has worked for many years as an educational consultant in the field of political education, specialising in criticism of anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination. She studied Public History, European Studies and the Honours Program for Peace and Conflict Studies in Haifa.
Offers for researchers and teaching staff
- Online workshop "Talking about the Middle East conflict - basics, self-reflection and support options" for researchers and teaching staff
Appointment 1: Basics of the Middle East conflict
Description
This workshop offers a comprehensive overview of the history of the Middle East conflict and its current developments. In addition to conveying the historical and political background, the focus will be on recognising and dealing with anti-Semitism and racism. Participants will reflect on how the Middle East conflict and the associated discussions can also lead to anti-Semitic and racist statements in Germany and learn how they can react to them.
Participants will be able to recognise anti-Semitism and racism in the context of the Middle East conflict and take action against it. In addition, they will receive argumentation aids and support options for those affected and reflect on the distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
Event 2: Braver Space - Talking about the Middle East conflict
Description
Dieser Workshop bietet einen Raum, in dem die Teilnehmenden offen über den Nahostkonflikt sprechen können. Dabei werden unterschiedliche Gefühle, Perspektiven und auch unbequeme Fragen Platz bekommen. Neben der Sensibilisierung für die komplexen Realitäten des Nahostkonflikts wird ein besonderer Fokus auf das Erkennen von Antisemitismus und Rassismus im Kontext des Konflikts gelegt. Die Teilnehmenden werden befähigt, Antisemitismus und Rassismus zu erkennen, sich aktiv dagegen einzusetzen und Betroffene im Universitätsalltag zu unterstützen.
Die Teilnehmenden werden gestärkt, Handlungsmöglichkeiten und Argumentationshilfen zu erarbeiten, um sicherer im Umgang mit Antisemitismus und Rassismus zu agieren. Dabei wird auch die Unterscheidung zwischen Antisemitismus und Antizionismus thematisiert, um Missverständnisse zu vermeiden und fundierte Diskussionen zu fördern.
Consultants
Online workshops with two consultants from the "Israel-Palestine educational videos" training team.
Christoph Dinkelaker studied Islam, politics and history with a focus on West Asia. The co-founder of Alsharq - now dis:orient - worked for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Willy Brandt Centre in Jerusalem between 2011 and 2014. In Berlin, he works as Managing Director for Alsharq REISE. Christoph regularly gives lectures, moderates events and leads educational seminars on topics that connect West Asia and Europe.
Amina Nolte is a sociologist and political educator. She specialises in feminist theory and practice, critical security research, as well as forms of anti-Semitism and racism in relation to Israel/Palestine debates. She has led numerous educational trips to Israel and Palestine and holds a Master's degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a PhD on Israel and Palestine.
Johanna Voߟ has worked for many years as an educational consultant in the field of political education, specialising in criticism of anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination. She studied Public History, European Studies and the Honours Program for Peace and Conflict Studies in Haifa.
- Workshop "Antisemitism - Perceiving and Encountering" for researchers and teaching staff
Description
Modern anti-Semitism manifests itself in various ways. Being able to recognise it in all its facets is the foundation for being able to take further steps and measures against it. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the situation in Germany and worldwide has become even more complex. A new normality seems to be taking hold, in which anti-Semitism is gradually becoming less taboo, while at the same time appearing more disinhibited and also increasingly gaining ground at universities.
In this workshop, employees of the Service Agency for Anti-Discrimination Work, Advice on Racism and Anti-Semitism(SABRA) will provide a basic overview of the topic of anti-Semitism and show how current forms of anti-Semitism can be recognised in everyday university life. Participants will be able to recognise anti-Semitic symbols, codes and images as well as statements with an anti-Semitic core. They will also learn about the perceptions and experiences of Jewish people.
The workshop will also focus on how participants can counter anti-Semitism in their everyday university life. They will be shown possible courses of action and argumentation aids to support those affected by anti-Semitism. They will also be informed about counselling options and contact points for those affected by anti-Semitism.
Consultants
Employees of the Service Centre for Anti-Discrimination Work, Advice on Racism and Anti-Semitism (SABRA)
Offers for teaching staff
- Online training course "Current anti-Semitism and racism in the context of the Middle East conflict in teaching - sensitisation and support options"
Description
The escalating conflict in the Middle East has not only led to an increase in anti-Semitic statements. Anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim racist statements are also on the rise. Many people find it difficult to distinguish between factual criticism and anti-Semitic or racist resentment when talking about the Israel-Palestine conflict. This is particularly challenging for people working in educational and artistic fields.
The BildungsBausteine e.V. association is offering support for teaching staff at Bielefeld University on the topics of anti-Semitism and racism in a two-part online training course on 11 December 2024 (9 am - 12 pm) and 12 December 2024 (9 am - 1 pm). In the first part of the training, the consultants from BildungsBausteine e.V. (Renate Pulz and Olaf Kistenmacher) will provide a basic awareness of the topics in order to better recognise antisemitism and racism. The challenges in teaching situations are considered and, in the second part of the training, possible courses of action and argumentation aids in the teaching context are developed. The main focus here is on support options and structures for those affected.
Consultants
Renate Pulz works as a qualified teacher in various educational fields: as a trainer and consultant on diversity sensitivity and anti-discrimination, particularly in the areas of racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination based on gender and sexuality; as a facilitator of diversity and anti-discrimination processes in educational institutions and youth welfare offices; and as a teacher of humanistic life skills in a Berlin primary school.
Olaf Kistenmacher is a historian, journalist and has been active in political education for 25 years. Starting out as a guide at the Neuengamme concentration camp memorial, he established a rudimentary pedagogy against anti-Semitism in Hamburg. His most recent publication on the subject: "But Israel does the same thing ..." On pedagogical approaches to Israel hatred and Israel-related anti-Semitism, in: Marcus Meier/Maren van Norden/Sebastian Werner (eds.): Bildungsarbeit gegen Antisemitismus. Grundlagen, Methoden & Übungen, Frankfurt am Main 2024.
Contact if you have experienced discrimination
You can contact Heidrun Kuhnt from the Counselling Centre for Employees and Managers via the following e-mail address. Counselling is available to students and employees confidentially and anonymously:
Email: diskriminierungserfahrungen@uni-bielefeld.de
In view of the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting increase in anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism in Germany, we would like to point out that the counselling service is also available to members of the university affected by this.