History/Political Science paper by Kaplan, Jeffrey
In Their Own Words: Anti-Semitism in Hungary Then and Now (Accepted)
Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentationAbstract (max. 250 words):
The paper is based on the two years of research conducted by Jeffrey Kaplan and his colleagues at the Danube Institute in Budapest from 2019-2021 on the topic of contemporary anti-Semitism in Hungary. The study included personal interviews with over 30 leaders of the Hungarian Jewish community, Hungarian and international NGOs, and relevant scholars in the field. The research produced an international conference in 2021 titled “Anti-Semitism in Hungary: Appearance and Reality” in which every leader of the various streams of the Hungarian Jewish community, Hungarian and foreign NGOs and a representative of the government spoke, as well as an eponymous two volume anthology and several academic articles. The presentation would summarize the findings of the research as well as point towards the future of Hungarian-Jewish relations.
The paper is relevant to the theme of the conference in that it will focus on the current relationship between the various Jewish groups with the Hungarian government, with Israel both in terms of government and religion, and with the diaspora community in Israel. It will also document the alliances made after the wave of anti-Semitic attacks in 2011-12 with the Fidesz government, between the Orbán government and that of Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, as well as internal alliances within the Hungarian Jewish community.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Prof. Jeffrey Kaplan, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, has published 25 monographs and anthologies and over 150 academic articles, anthology chapters and studies. His work focuses on cultural and religious history, religious violence, and religious terrorism. He has taught and researched all over the world and is currently the Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Danube Institute in Budapest.