How can pop culture help us all speak more clearly about race and antisemitism? Come learn about this timely topic with Jonathan Branfman, PhD, who, in coversation with Rabbi Paul Steinberg, will draw from his new book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy (New York University Press, 2024). Both Jews and non-Jews often strug­gle to explain how anti­semitism works in 21st-cen­tu­ry Amer­i­ca. In fact, many well-inten­tioned peo­ple who aspire to fight all kinds of big­otry lack the tools to notice anti­semitism at all. Likewise, many people struggle to explain how antisemitism can differently impact Jews with white skin (like the actor Seth Rogen) and Jews of color (like the rap superstar Drake). But by illu­mi­nat­ing how Jew­ish pop cul­ture stars nav­i­gate these issues onscreen screen, we can often clarify how antisemitism shapes everyday per­cep­tions, bias­es, and behav­iors in real life. Although these issues can seem slip­pery to ana­lyze, they're real­ly as famil­iar to many read­ers as their favorite star or sitcom. No matter whether you personally follow the stars mentioned in Jonathan's book (such as Drake), the talk will offer illuminating insights about race, antisemitism, and Jewishness in America today. Kol Shofar and Rodef Sholom are partnering to bring Jonathan Branfman to help us learn how popular culture can help us to challenge antisemitism. For this talk, Jonathan will draw from his new book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy (New York University Press, 2024). 

About the Author: Jonathan Branfman, PhD, teaches in the Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford University, and also holds a position as Research Associate in the Hadassah Brandeis Institute for Jewish Gender Studies at Brandeis University. His research links Jewish studies, gender studies, critical race studies, and film studies.