This project aims to create an innovative strategy for combating antisemitism that starts from a better knowledge of the Jewish history/traditions as part of the common history/traditions, and puts in place a set of educational activities in Italy, Spain, Romania and Belgium as well as online actions in order to tackle this phenomenon.

Initially, research will be conducted in order to map the state of the art, in each participating country, of antisemitic feelings and anti-Jewish prejudices/bias. The methodology used as framework for the research activities and data analysis (WP2) will rely on Standpoint Feminism and Critical Discourse Analysis, which foster reflexivity and critical thinking, deconstruction of dominant antisemitic discourses and set for the alternative and counter-narratives. This methodology will be integrated by a web monitoring process. Given the lack of studies on the intersection of antisemitism and sexism, and the perception of antisemitism by Jewish Women (Gold, 1997; Stoegner 2020), our research might be able to fill some of the gaps in this field and inspire targeted campaigns.

Based on the research, educational activities for pupils and training activities for teachers will be developed. The project will mix formal and non-formal education, following the principles of human rights education of the Council of Europe and the European Union in the field of youth and the Guidelines for Policymakers developed by UNESCO and OSCE to address antisemitism through Education (2018). The pedagogical strategy is based on two aspects: a) the comparison on concrete cases of prejudice at the level of the teachers and b) the active participation of the students also through a peer to peer approach.

An online awareness raising campaign tailored for young people will be carried out to support them to substantiate their point of view on antisemitism and other forms of prejudice, intolerance and hate speech. The storytelling, that will be used both for pupils and for young adults activities, will contribute to raise awareness and reflect upon different cultural and religious backgrounds, bias and understandings.

The model and methodology used within RELATION project will be compiled in a book that will be published on paper and online and a handbook which will provide guidance for transferring the methodology in other EU countries.

Project duration: Jan 2022-Jan 2024

Partners:

Fondazione Centro di Documentazione Ebraica Contemporanea –  CDEC, Italy (coordinator)

Fondazione Hallgarten-Franchetti Centro Studi Villa Montesca, Italy

Intercultural Institute Timisoara, Romania

Universita Degli Studi Di Milano, Italy

Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Italy

Comunitat Jueva Bet Shalom De Catalunya, Spain CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, Belgium