A Special Russian Truth | Screening and Conversation with David Hirsh and Vlad Khaykin

As questions about the relationship between antisemitism and antizionism is explored more rigorously, people are actively trying to understand where these ideas came from and how they got to where they are today. The new short documentary, A Special Russian Truth, invites audiences into that exploration by tracing the historical roots of contemporary anti-Israel narratives. The 25 minute screening of the film will be immediately followed by a conversation featuring some of the most important voices exploring these connections today. 

More about The Film

A Special Russian Truth uncovers how a calculated Soviet disinformation campaign—engineered decades ago by the KGB to demonize Israeli statehood and sow division in the United States—planted the seeds of today’s anti-Israel rhetoric. Through first-person testimony and rigorous historical analysis, this eye-opening short film reveals the antisemitic roots behind familiar tropes, equipping viewers to distinguish propaganda from legitimate critique in the context of today’s conflicts. Featuring first-person testimony from respected historians, academicians, and peace activists from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, this short film provides viewers with concrete tools to recognize professionally crafted antisemitic tropes and understand their historical context, distinct from legitimate political critique.

More About The Speakers

David Hirsh is the Academic Director and CEO of the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, and has pioneered a sociological account of contemporary antizionism and its relationship to antisemitism. He has worked on crimes against humanity, totalitarianism, democracy and populism. He teaches core Sociology, Criminology, Crimes against Humanity and Human Rights courses at UG and MA level. He was central in building the Engage network and website that led opposition to the proposal for an academic boycott of Israel from 2004 and that led the fight against antisemitic politics in Britain, especially on campus. Hirsh was a leading critic of the ideas underpinning the Corbyn movement and he has been instrumental in shaping the democratic and Jewish responses in Britain, and further afield, to antisemitism. He has a global reputation as a scholar and as leader of the  fight against antisemitism. He has appeared as an expert witness in a number of court cases and inquiries, he has written formal reports, and he has chaired a university academic appeals panel on antisemitism.

Vlad Khaykin is the Executive Vice President of Social Impact and Partnerships, North America for the Simon Wiesenthal Center. In his role, Vlad spearheads policy changes that reduce acts of antisemitism and hatred, promote positive behavior toward Jews and other persecuted communities, and increase public support for the State of Israel. Previously, Vlad led advocacy efforts for ADL, AJC, and JCRC of Boston. He is a former refugee from state-sponsored antisemitism in the Soviet Union and a grandson of Holocaust survivors.

More About The Moderator

Liz Berger is a PhD student in the inaugural cohort of the Antisemitism Studies Program at Gratz College. She works as a Research Consultant in the International Affairs Division of the Anti-Defamation League on the ATLAS project (Antisemitism Trends, Learnings and Statistics) aggregating data on antisemitism incidents globally. She is a Postgraduate Fellow at the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism. Her research explores cognitive processing of antisemitism in Jewish Neurodivergent students on college campuses, and the measurement of trauma related impact of antisemitic incidents cross-nationally. She holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a Certificate in Trauma from Bryn Mawr College. She has previously worked with children, teens and adults in therapeutic outpatient settings, pediatric hospitals as well as an advocate for her clients in juvenile justice, child welfare, and school systems.

This program is produced by The Weitzman. Thank you to our community partners at Gratz College and Stand With Us.

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