Big Ideas Sir Simon Schama — On antisemitism
Apr 24, 2025
Sir Simon Schama, a distinguished British historian and professor at Columbia University, delves into the long-standing issue of antisemitism, tracing its roots and modern implications. He humorously reflects on how Jewish people have historically served as societal scapegoats. Schama shares poignant insights about the Holocaust, emphasizing the delayed global response and the necessity for awareness. He advocates for storytelling as a means to bridge cultural divides and challenges prevailing narratives about Jewish identity and history in Israel.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
WWII Jewish Massacre Reports
- Simon Schama recounts the horrific mass killings of Jews in Lithuania during WWII, including a mass shooting of 9,800 women and children.
- Early reports of exterminations were communicated by daring couriers but largely ignored or downplayed by Allied governments.
Moral Responsibility and Holocaust
- The Archbishop of Canterbury called out official procrastination on saving Jews during the Holocaust despite repeated mass killings.
- He compared indifference to the biblical priests passing by a stricken traveler, emphasizing moral responsibility.
Antisemitism Resurfacing Anecdote
- Simon Schama relates his mother’s observation in the 1990s that antisemitism was resurfacing through desecrations and violent attacks.
- Recent examples include synagogue burnings, swastika graffiti, and hate speech targeting Jewish communities globally.