Putting Anti-Semitism on the Anti-Racism Agenda in North American Schools of Social Work

Abstract

Anti-Semitism has existed for over 3 millennia and has expressed itself through extensive social and economic discrimination and systematic attempts at genocide. Yet, anti-Semitism has been almost completely excluded from discussions of racism and from anti-racism efforts (such as curriculum changes) within U.S. and Canadian schools of social work. This article places the history of anti-Semitism, and its current manifestations, within the context of the profession's explicit commitment to multiculturalism and anti-racism in social work and social work education. It then offers concrete suggestions on how content on anti-Semitism can be integrated with other anti-racist course content and initiatives already underway in North American schools of social work, and makes recommendations for policy development within CSWE.