Conversations with Jewish Scholars on Institutional Antisemitism: A Delphi Study

Institutional antisemitism is a growing concern across university campuses in the United States of America. Research shows that academic environments do not always welcome Jewish presence and needs. Though contemporary studies examine student lived experiences of antisemitism, few Jewish scholarly perspectives are included in related inquiries. A qualitative Delphi study contributes to this literary gap by sharing Jewish expert consensus on the research question of is institutional antisemitism a problem in the US? Consensus conclusions indicated that (a) institutional antisemitism is often misinterpreted and difficult to define and (b) interpersonal antisemitism is present within Jewish campus interactions. Through theoretical frameworks of critical theory, Afro-pessimism, and study of anti-Blackness, the impacts of Jewish scholar-participants’ identities and experiences on field expertise are discussed. Future campus implications for integrating sociocultural critical theory into Jewish historical trauma education and institutional antisemitism prevention are analyzed.