FP Reviews

A Straight-Forward and Concise Primer on Contemporary Antisemitism Today

Following PROTOCOL… or NOT?! is a straight-forward and concise 'primer' on contemporary antisemitism. Given the ever-increasing complexity of Contemporary Antisemitism and rapid escalation of related world events, this quick and easy read explains what people need to know about Contemporary Antisemitism today: where it comes from, how it manifests, and why it ought to matter to everyone. In plain language, it bridges the gap of both historical knowledge and everyday understanding that too many people lack – and that contributes to the continued uninformed ignorance that allows Contemporary Antisemitism to grow. 

Reviewers Say

 A Timely Primer on Antisemitism – David Patterson, Hillel A. Feinberg Distinguished Chair of Holocaust Studies at UT Dallas

Following PROTOCOL… or NOT?! is a much needed, must read for anyone who wants to understand the ideological grounding of the storm of Jew hatred that has swept and continues to sweep over the globe. This slim volume does a masterful job of explaining the origins, the tenets, and the promulgation of what has become the antisemites' "Bible": The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The book is solidly grounded in thorough research methods; although it is scholarly in the highest sense, it is altogether accessible. I use it in my own college seminar on antisemitism. If you are are wondering, "What is going on with this insane hatred that stems from the campus to the community?" this is the place to start.

A must-read for anyone committed to promoting tolerance and understanding – Paul Salahuddin Armstrong, Managing Director of the Association of British Muslims

Following PROTOCOL... or NOT?! is a crucial introductory guide to understanding the complex and pressing issue of contemporary antisemitism. This book serves as a concise yet comprehensive primer that effectively demystifies a topic that is both critical and timely. It explores the origins of modern antisemitism, how it manifests in today's world, and why this is a matter of concern for everyone. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its clarity and accessibility, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the roots and current dynamics of antisemitic attitudes and behaviours. This makes it particularly useful for students, educators, and general readers who are new to the topic. Moreover, the methodical approach ensures that readers can follow along with ease, while still engaging deeply with the material. This balance of thoroughness and readability is rare and highly commendable. In summary, Following PROTOCOL... or NOT?! is not just a book but an important educational tool that sheds light on a critical social issue. This book is a must-read for anyone committed to promoting tolerance and understanding in today’s world. 

A Call to Action for All of Us Dedicated to Defeating Anti-Semitism – Bob Witeck, Communications consultant, author, and corporate speaker

I'm neither a scholar nor Jewish. Nonetheless, for me, and for many leaders and thinkers who struggle today with the voices, the ideas, the cruel persistence and poison of antisemitism in all our lives - this new book is bottling lightning for us. It empowers us to reach deeper understanding of the causes and insidiousness of hatred, and how othering people costs us so dearly generation after generation. This is a significant contribution to our collective work, and a reminder to humanity that beliefs are futile without actions, dedication and perseverance each day. I value this effort for its clarity, its compendium of resources, and the trust I have in its authors and contributors. 

– Steven Leonard Jacobs, The University of Alabama, Co-Author, Dismantling the Big Lie

In this tragic moment of increasing antisemitism worldwide, this important and insightful brief text combatting the lies of the Protocols is a much-needed and much-welcomed addition to a growing body of refutational literature. Hopefully, it will be distributed widely and successfully and receive the close and careful attention it deserves. Kudos to its authors for making it available. 

– Editor-in-Chief of a Leading European Peer-Reviewed Journal

Antisemitism continues to be a central issue in the Western public discourse today for various reasons, including the current war in the Middle East, on the one hand, and the socio-political challenges facing the liberal order, such as mass immigration, the rise of populism and the new geopolitical division or ‘new cold war’, on the other. These pressing problems have reawakened the old antisemitism and turned it into a globalized political weapon. As the new form of the ancient hatred and persecution of Jews that culminated in the Holocaust – global antisemitism – should be carefully studied and monitored, as proposed by this Primer, as a constant reminder of the depths of cruelty the human species is capable of. Although it was the Jews who for many centuries became the main target of this form of racial-religious hatred, and continue to be cast in that role today whether they live in Israel or anywhere else in the world, no one—no people, ethnic or religious group—is totally immune to becoming the target, or, alternatively, the potential perpetrator of acts of racial crimes. The only way of overcoming global antisemitism is, as this Primer argues, to make a personal and collective commitment to studying its history and recognizing its old and new manifestations and, most importantly, to doing whatever one can to prevent the dire consequences of unjustified hatred and their global repercussions. 

A useful guide for readers trying to understand Antisemitism and to evaluate truth from propaganda! – Dr. Scherry Johnson

I knew about the Protocols of the Elders of Zion but had never paid much attention to the facts behind its origin. This short primer provides a very useful history of a document often used to justify discrimination against Jewish individuals. The book also includes easily understood tools for recognizing propaganda in this years dangerous election cycle. Yes, it is all happening again - this time in America.

Enlightening, informative and is an essential read! – River Michaels, PhD

I recommend this quick-read booklet as a must have for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of antisemitism and its impact on society. It is a “go to” for a simplistic, high-level understanding of how we got here and positive action steps to move forward.

– Tom McMorran, Ed.D., 2012 Connecticut High School Principal of the Year, Masters of Divinity Student at Yale Divinity School

A significant percentage of people in the United States and across the world have an unfortunate willingness to believe horrible lies about Judaism, Jewish People and the rituals of Jewish Worship. When hostility is based on prejudice, the strongest means of setting the record straight is education. Only accurate information can defeat prejudice. One of the most pernicious forms of antisemitism is the perpetuation of the pernicious and harmful Protocols of the Elders of Zion. As an educator with decades in public school leadership, and as a Christian currently seeking ordination in the Episcopal Communion, I recommend the excellent guidebook, Following PROTOCOL... or NOT?! I encourage public high schools to study the topic of antisemitism in their social studies programs. I call on libraries to organize community reading groups. I urge religious formation groups of all denominations and faiths to engage and debunk the Protocols of the Elders of Zion but not without the essential study guide, Following PROTOCOL... or NOT?! All people of good will have an ethical duty to confront antisemitic propaganda. 

 Excellent foundation for understanding contemporary antisemitism – PhD

I wish I had this primer when I first started my graduate studies in Holocaust Literature. At that time, I did not have clarity about what was different between ‘ancient’ Jew hatred, racial antisemitism in the 19th and 20th centuries, and contemporary antisemitism in the 21st century. This work makes those distinctions clear. I was particularly glad to find a list of vetted, primary, annotated resources (both recommended websites and books), followed by a section titled “Practical Resources for Initiating Change”. Here readers are reminded about how essential it is to approach the complex issue of antisemitism (and indeed any toxic “...isms”) to ensure you are accessing the most accurate, nuanced, and trustworthy information to inform your own understanding and decision-making.

makes a lot of sense – PhD

Having spent several years trying to wrap my head around antisemitism (by studying, reading, listening, watching, discussing, touring, etc), I still could not fathom how what is happening in our world today could come to pass - that is until I stumbled upon Following PROTOCOL... or NOT?! Somehow, it puts all of the confounding pieces together in a way that finally makes sense. Thankfully, it gets to the point in just 20 points that are easy to remember. The short primer masterfully weaves together a tapestry of topics, from geopolitical tensions and economic dynamics to environmental sustainability, revealing the intricate connections that bind them. The intentional linking of facts makes even the most abstruse notions accessible. However objective, this multi-faceted work is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is a call to action, challenging readers to embrace a holistic perspective and transcend narrow viewpoints. With useful tools and strategic techniques, it empowers those who care to become active participants in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. In a world that often demands simplistic solutions, this booklet stands as a testament to the power of nuanced understanding. It is a must-read (again and again) for anyone seeking to navigate the labyrinth of today's global [in]humanity with wisdom, empathy, and a commitment to positive change.