1. Origins of Anti-Semitism

2. What is a Jew?
Religion
History
Intermarriage= smaller gene pool

3. Ancient World
In Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, Jews were viewed as “others”
Monotheistic religion
Marriage
Food
Appearance
Social customs
This caused them to be viewed suspiciously

4. …then Christianity begins
Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish man who claimed to be the son of God
He was crucified by a Roman official at the so-called “demand” of a Jewish mob
The sign above Him said “King of the Jews”

5. Christian Anti-Semitism
313 A.D.- Constantine becomes the first Christian Roman Emperor
A.D.- anti-Jewish philosophies begin to spread
Jews viewed as “anti-Christian”
Blamed for Jesus’ crucifixion
Did not convert to Christianity
Did not accept New Testament

6. Middle Ages
The Church forbade Christians from loaning money, so Jews became bankers
Created resentment among Christians who were in debt to them
Jews blamed for the Black Plague
Fewer Jews died b/c they lived in separate communities
Blood Libels- Jews accused of ritual murder
Accused of killing Christians so they could drink their blood during Passover

7. 1215 A.D.- Fourth Lateran Council creates the Jew Badge
Easily recognizable

8. Medieval Beliefs about Jews
Smelled like sulfur
Had horns and tails
Conspiring with the devil to take over the world
Relationship with anti-Christ and goats

9. Why do you think that dislike for a person or a group of people can grow into completely irrational and untrue beliefs?

10. Folder Activity- Ancient Propaganda?
Each group will spend 3-4 minutes with each folder
Write down your observations about the picture, connecting your notes to what you see in the picture if possible
2-3 complete sentences per picture

11. Pictures

12. Moses with Horns

13. Money lending

14. Knights killing Jews during the Crusades

15. Blood Libel

16. Blood libel Late 15th-century anti-Semitic painting from Frankfurt-Main, accusing Jews of ritual murder and bestiality, and associating with the devil.

17. Modern Pictures

18. Nazi Blood Libel