Most people are aware that anti-Semitism, or prejudice against Jews, has a long history. But in today’s democratic America, not everyone is aware of its modern manifestations and far reaching significance.

“Anti-Semitism has been described as a disease of the mind, not in the classical sense of bacterial infection, but an infection nevertheless that distorts perception of reality,” said Dr Lubin. “Insofar as it can spread, this ‘disease’ can affect not only those afflicted with it, but cause harm to society in general.”

Dr Lubin’s talk will give numerous examples of how contemporary anti-Semitism manifests itself on American college campuses, in discussions of America’s foreign policy vis-a-vis Israel and the Middle East, in the media, and in the United Nations. In the case of perceptions of Israel, she makes it clear that legitimate criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic. But criticism based on falsehoods, conspiracy theories, double standards, demonization, and delegitimization is.

Dr Lubin is a psychiatrist and co-director of the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven. The center provides treatment for people who suffered traumatic experiences, including survivors of discrimination and abuses of power.

She also chairs the Israel Advocacy Committee of B’nai Israel synagogue of Southbury, is a member of the regional board of directors of the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and is a professional trainer for the ADL Confronting Anti-Semitism Program as well as its World of Difference Program.

In addition, Dr Lubin is an assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as a member of the Faculty Governance Committee for the Yale Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Anti-Semitism (YIISA).

The program will run from 10 am to noon. It is free and open to the public. There will be opportunities for questions. Refreshments will be served.

B’nai Israel is at 444 Main Street North; call 203-267-3394 for additional information.