Anti-Semitism and education: Oldenburg takes a stand against hate!

Anti-Semitism and education: Oldenburg takes a stand against hate!

As of October 14, 2025, the conflict that began after Hamas' terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 continues. The associated war has caused great suffering in both Israel and Gaza. At the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, those responsible were confronted with anti-Semitic statements, which led, among other things, to an attack on the Oldenburg synagogue. The university's executive board clearly emphasizes that there is no place for anti-Semitism, racism and violence on campus. Rather, the location should be a place of tolerance and diversity.

The University Senate supports this clear stance and emphasizes the importance of discourse and education. In order to promote the discussion of anti-Semitism and anti-discrimination, new offers have been created for the winter semester.

Educational initiatives and events

A series of events have been organized to further address the topic. This includes:

• 15. Oktober, 18.30 Uhr: Vortrag von Deborah Eller über „University for Palestine“.
• 24. Oktober, 13.00-13.30 Uhr: Digitales Mittagsinfo über Diversität, Diskriminierung und Sprache.
• 28. Oktober, 9.00-13.00 Uhr: Workshop für Lehrende über Dialogräume zu Antisemitismus und Rassismus.
• 22. November, 10. Januar, 28. Februar, 9.00-14.00 Uhr: Dreiteilige Fortbildung für Lehrende über Antisemitismus.
• 27. November, 15.00-20.30 Uhr: Workshop für Lehramtsstudierende über antisemitsmuskritische Schulentwicklungsarbeit.
• 2. Dezember, 9.00-14.00 Uhr: Workshop für Beschäftigte über den jüdisch-muslimischen Dialog.
• 3. Dezember, 10.00-15.00 Uhr: Workshop für Studierende über den jüdisch-muslimischen Dialog.
• 29. Januar, 14.15-16.00 Uhr: Vortrag über Darstellungen von Judentum in Schulbüchern.

The interdisciplinary work center “Intercultural Jewish Studies” will also be active. She is dedicated to Judaism and its contribution to European culture with regular lectures in cooperation with the Leo Trepp Lehrhaus of the Jewish Community in Oldenburg. From April 2024, the topic of “Orientations critical of anti-Semitism” will be the focus of a new series of lectures.

The role of education in times of crisis

The need for professional engagement with the Middle East conflict in educational institutions is enormous. According to an overview of the relevance of educational institutions for dealing with the conflict, there is great uncertainty. Dealing with this topic often creates uncertainty and excessive demands on teachers and learners. This is particularly relevant as anti-Semitism is on the rise in Germany, as observed after Hamas' massacre of Israelis in October 2023.

Teaching materials are an important tool. The “Solidarity Against Terror” project offers teaching suggestions on the situation in Israel and Palestine after the Hamas attacks. Digital resources, brochures and comics also enable a critical examination of the topic. The Federal Agency for Civic Education and other organizations provide materials that aim to enable teachers to have a well-founded discussion about the Middle East conflict. The edited volume “Israel-Related Anti-Semitism, the Middle East Conflict and Education,” which will be published in 2024, will deepen and discuss these topics.

Dealing with these complex issues is crucial for an informed and differentiated discussion in society, as the perception of the conflict also divides Germany.

In summary, it is clear that educational initiatives and dialogue are extremely relevant in this sensitive time in order to counter anti-Semitism and at the same time to shed more critical light on the Middle East conflict. [Uni Oldenburg] reports that the university takes this responsibility seriously and actively contributes to education and awareness through its events. The [bpb] also emphasizes the importance of the appropriate materials for teachers. At the same time, the [University of Giessen] will offer relevant discussion events to further advance the topics.