On 23 January 2025, OTH Regensburg, in cooperation with the city of Regensburg, hosted the final event in the series ‘Aspects of Anti-Semitism’ in the city's Runtingersaal.
Lord Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer and the President of OTH Regensburg, Prof Dr Ralph Schneider, welcomed the audience to the heart of the city. ‘In view of the disturbing developments worldwide and also in our own social environment, especially since the attacks by the terrorist organisation Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023, it is clear how urgently necessary it is to deal with anti-Semitism in all its forms in depth and comprehensively,’ emphasised Prof. Dr. Ralph Schneider.
The journalist Shahrzad Eden Osterer, Bayerischer Rundfunk, hosted the evening and supported the discussion with an impressive description of how the Islamic Republic of Iran promotes the terror of Hamas. Dr Annette Seidel-Arpacı, Head of the Research and Information Centre on Anti-Semitism (RIAS) Bavaria, emphasised in an input the dramatic and threatening increase in (Israel-related) anti-Semitic incidents and attacks in Bavaria since 7 October 2023 and illustrated this with figures and pictures.
Insights into the experiences of Jewish students
Ron Dekel from the Association of Jewish Students in Bavaria emphasised the real impact of this anti-Semitic hatred on our Jewish fellow human beings by providing insights into the experiences of Jewish students in Bavaria and calling on universities to take a clear stance and critically confront the danger.
Dr Ludwig Spaenle, Commissioner for Jewish Life and Against Anti-Semitism, for Remembrance Work and Historical Heritage in Bavaria, affirmed that anti-Semitism is not a phenomenon that has been resurgent since the attacks of 2023, but rather that since then there has been a disinhibition and de-tabooing of the public expression of anti-Semitic resentment that has always existed.
The city of Regensburg has also had to contend with anti-Semitic incidents in recent months, but for Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer one firm principle is: ‘Never again’. She emphasised: ‘Anti-Semitism is not just a problem of the Jewish community - it is an attack on our common humanity. Sowing hatred against one group prepares the ground for intolerance against all.’
Educational institutions must take a clear stance
It is well known that anti-Semitic hatred at universities is sometimes a major problem, and combating it will certainly require effective strategies and clear positioning on the part of educational institutions in the future. This was emphasised by Prof. Dr Christoph Skornia, Vice President of OTH Regensburg, who is the patron of the series of events as the anti-Semitism officer.
The panel discussion was the final event in the lecture series ‘Aspects of anti-Semitism’. In five specialised lectures by and with renowned researchers and experts, anti-Semitism was examined as a societal phenomenon in its various forms and modes of action. The panel discussion concluded by building a bridge from the university and academia to urban society.
‘Aspects of Anti-Semitism’ is under the conceptual direction of Prof. Dr Martina Ortner and was organised together with Miriam Kerl from the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Service Centre. OTH Regensburg will continue to address anti-Semitism in the 2025 summer semester and offer educational programmes.
