The SAPIR Debates: Is Fighting Antisemitism a Losing Battle?

The oldest hatred – an honorific given to anti-Jewish prejudice – never tires. If anything, it gathers force. According to many surveys, animus towards Jews is increasing in the United States and worldwide. What should American Jewry do about it?

Some believe that we should expend our capital, energy, and creativity to change hearts and minds, especially of those still reachable. That means raising awareness of this scourge through high visibility campaigns, social media engagement, support for Holocaust education, and renewed allyship with other ethnic and religious communities. Others insist that efforts to fight a conspiracy are futile, likely ineffective, and possibly even counterproductive. Decades of teaching “never again” has not stemmed the tide of hate. Rather, our limited resources are better spent by doubling down on creating proud Jews, strengthening Jewish education, and creating a more informed citizenry about Jewish civilization.

Moderated by SAPIR Editor-in-Chief Bret Stephens, this SAPIR Debate featured two illustrious voices:

• Arguing NO: Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the Department of State and award-winning author, historian, and professor.
• Arguing YES: Dara Horn, three-time National Jewish Book Award-winning author of People Love Dead Jews, and founder and president of The Tell Institute, which is devoted to educating the public about Jewish civilization, including in K-12 schools and other channels.

The SAPIR Debates is a new series that features a spirited and civil exchange of views on the most consequential issues facing the American Jewish community.

This event was recorded live on March 1, 2026 at The 92nd Street Y, New York. To watch the recording on our YouTube channel, click here: https://youtu.be/QcMyvQ-2l6c

Read the SAPIR essays and op-eds referenced in this SAPIR Conversation and reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠:  

• Andres Spokoiny's SAPIR essay on Jewish Communal Funding and Antisemitism: https://sapirjournal.org/money/2025/money-cant-buy-you-love/

Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/track/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove