An insightful workshop series returns this term to help the University of Oregon community learn more about Islamophobia and antisemitism. Employees can sign up for any or all sessions through MyTrack.
Oct. 21: Understanding Antisemitism with Project Shema
This workshop will explore the historical and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism and equip participants with the language, tools, and context to recognize and respond to anti-Jewish bias in academic and workplace settings.
The FBI has released data showing that anti-Jewish hate crimes in the United States reached record levels in 2024. According to the report, 1,938 single-bias hate crimes were committed against Jews last year, a 5.8 percent increase from 2023, marking the highest number ever recorded since the FBI began collecting data — a 5 percent rise from 2023 and the highest number since the organization began tracking. This briefing was developed after October 2023 to help participants navigate the current moment as upstanders and allies for the Jewish community. It provides context on Jewish identity, what antisemitism is, and how anti-Jewish ideas are showing up in discourse around Israel and Palestine. Our proven strategy for identifying Jewish harm nurtures empathy for all people, creates space for nuance, and respects the politics and values of everyone in the room. Participants leave with a toolkit to understand and identify anti-Jewish harm. Half the session is dedicated to a brave space conversation and Q&A.
Oct. 28: Recognizing and Addressing Islamophobia, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias on Campus
This 90-minute interactive workshop with Islamic Networks Group introduces faculty and staff to the identities, and lived experiences of Muslim Arab, and Palestinian students, staff and faculty. Participants will learn to identify how Islamophobia and related forms of bias appear in everyday campus life — whether in language, media portrayals or interpersonal interactions. Through case examples, staff will gain practical tools to respond effectively to bias, foster a climate of belonging, and ensure that campus services and resources are accessible and welcoming to all.
In 2023, Muslim civil rights organizations received reports of over 8,000 anti-Muslim hate incidents. Despite the high ratio of unreported incidents, the number increased by 56 percent compared to the previous year. Half of these incidents occurred between October and December 2023. The surge in anti-Muslim hate that erupted in October 2023 continued. From January to June 2024, the same civil rights organizations documented nearly 5,000 incoming complaints, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023. The experience of students and employees during this cycle of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate remain the standout trends compared to past cycles. Islamophobia, a centuries old framework, shapes how Islam and Muslims are perceived in the U.S. and globally. This seminar explores the roots and dominant tropes of Islamophobia, examining its impact on Muslim and Arab American communities. It concludes by proposing strategies to combat Islamophobia at both interpersonal and institutional levels.
Nov. 4: Debrief Session: Understanding, Recognizing and Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia
This virtual session will be an opportunity to come together with other members of the UO community to debrief the “Understanding Antisemitism” and “Recognizing and Addressing Islamophobia” workshops. Attendees will reflect on their own learning from these sessions and explore together how to individually and collectively make campus more inclusive.