The attacks on Israel by terrorist organizations on October 7, 2023 marks a turning point for the Jewish and Israeli communities in Germany. Jews are faced with the task of dealing with the traumatic consequences of the terror and the related antisemitic and anti-Israel atmosphere and increasing threats. Since February 2024 a nationwide qualitative research project examines how the terror of October 7 and the constant rise of antisemitism affect the everyday life, well-being and future prospects of the Jewish and Israeli community. The empirical basis are narrative interviews, group discussions and documented observations from research participants.Changes in processing are reconstructed over time and in connection with previous and current events. The study is funded by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and being carried out at the Competence Center for education and research on antisemitism and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. As of January 2025, over 100 people from the age of 16 to 80 years have participated in the study. First results are published (Chernivsky/Lorenz-Sinai 2024). At the conference in London we would present key findings focussing on the health and psychological effects, discrimination in the workplace and at universities, and the loss of social relationships and political homeland of Jewish and Israeli communities in Germany.

This research explores the complexities of belonging of Jewish staff working in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in England & Wales. Grounded in a phenomenological framework, it investigates how Jewish identity manifests within professional and cultural structures of HEIs, where institutional EDI schemes often fail to fully accommodate the needs of Jewish staff. The research draws on primary qualitative data collected through interviews, highlighting the nuanced experiences of Jewish academics and professional services staff as they navigate their workplaces.

The study reveals that, despite purported commitments to inclusivity, Jewish staff often encounter a deep sense of disconnection from institutional cultures that fail to recognise their identity. The marginalisation of Jewish identity within the broader discourses of sectoral diversity exacerbates feelings of isolation, particularly in light of rising antisemitism post-7th October 2023. Participants’ reflections underscore the tension between their professional roles and their Jewish identity, with many expressing a reluctance to label themselves as victims of antisemitism despite facing clear patterns of exclusion. This research examines these dynamics and calls for reimagining institutional policies to foster belonging for Jewish staff, moving beyond performativity to tangible steps to include Jews in the academy.

Jewish minorities around the world, including Finland, have reported increased antisemitic experiences, especially since the terrororganisation Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. The current paper presents the results of the first survey on antisemitism, conducted by Mercédesz Czimbalmos and Dóra Pataricza (Åbo Akademi University, Finland) in October-November 2023, based on quantitative and qualitative data. The survey was targeted at persons aged 16 or over who lived in Finland. The data collection for the report was carried out in two stages. First, a survey was conducted (4.10-4.11.2023), identical to the questions of the EU FRA survey. The respondents expressed their opinions on antisemitic incidents encountered on or outside the internet, their concerns about becoming a victim of an antisemitism attack and their experiences of discrimination in Finland. Around 17-22 % of Jews living in Finland answered the survey. This paper focuses on the results of the survey and the recommendations prepared for combating antisemitism, promoting the safety of the Jewish minority and protecting the Jewish culture. Recommendations were also issued for education, the prevention of violence, discrimination and hate crimes against Jews, the safeguarding of Jewish life and culture, and research into Judaism.