This year, Touro Law Center launched the nation’s first-ever antisemitism clinic at a law school and also began offering a course on antisemitism and the law. Last spring, a special course from Touro’s Graduate School of Jewish Studies on the history of antisemitism made its debut for students as well as interested community members. Additionally, Touro launched a master’s degree in Holocaust, Genocide and Tolerance Education through its Graduate School of Education.

Antisemitism Law Clinic

Touro Law’s pioneering Antisemitism Law Clinic is designed to train the next generation of legal advocates and is led by Mark Goldfeder, a rabbi and lawyer whose academic focus is on constitutional and international law.

“We plan to produce advocates who will contribute in a meaningful way to the community, whether through litigation, legislation or education,” says Goldfeder. “Our graduates will use the skills they learn to defend individuals or institutions, advocate for meaningful change and address antisemitism in real life impactful ways, including in employment and housing discrimination.

Touro Law students who participate in the newly established clinic are offered the opportunity to extend their training and experience through internships and externships at organizations that fight antisemitism.

“I’m proud to be part of this new initiative,” said Goldfeder. “And while I hope that it will be replicated by other schools across the country, the fact that Touro was the first in line speaks volumes about the University’s values and mission. This is what it means to lead.”

History of Antisemitism Course Open to All

The History of Antisemitism course addresses the origins of antisemitism, its evolution throughout the ages, what factors have influenced its rise, and how those factors shape the way antisemitism is expressed in various time periods and locations. The course is open to students as well as interested community members.

“Since October 7, 2023, antisemitism has erupted around the world, in the Middle East, and throughout Europe and North America,” says Rabbi Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of Touro’s Graduate School of Jewish Studies. “While antisemitism was always present in the United States, the sheer number and magnitude of antisemitic acts around college campuses and in public spaces throughout the country has no precedent in U.S. history.”

The course is team taught and features lectures by historians and members of Touro’s expert faculty. Topics range from Antisemitism in the Greco-Roman World; Medieval Christian and Islamic Forms of Antisemitism to Nazism and the Holocaust; Antisemitism in the 21st Century; and Theological Responses to Antisemitism.

Master’s Degree in Holocaust Education

The M.S. in Holocaust, Genocide and Tolerance Education is a two-year program designed for elementary, middle, and high school teachers in Jewish day schools and public schools as well as museum educators.

This program offers comprehensive training in pedagogy and content and includes Teaching About and Combatting Antisemitism; Lessons in Courage and Resilience; Psychology and Philosophy of Evil; and Holocaust Literature.

Led by psychologist and professor at Touro’s Graduate School of Education, Dr. Jeff Lichtman, and coordinated by Holocaust expert, Dr. Julie Golding, the master’s in Holocaust education is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree who seeks training in this area.

“As society becomes increasingly polarized and plagued by intolerance, we can offer an antidote by training teachers to educate our children about the Holocaust and antisemitism,” says Dr. Lichtman, “It’s not just to learn about what happened during World War II and the atrocities perpetrated against the Jews in concentration camps. This program will also train teachers to teach children how to learn from the past to address current and future antisemitism.”