Online-Panel: “Tietz Lecture 2021. Antisemitism and Conspiracy Theories in Times of Covid19”

Antisemitism in Germany never went away. During the Corona pandemic antisemitic conspiracy theories have only gained momentum and are increasingly carried into the public sphere. This antisemitic hate speech creates violence, even before the pandemic: between 2017 and 2019 alone, the number of annual acts of antisemitic violence in Germany doubled. To protect and strengthen fair and equal democracy, we must act – and take decisive action against old and new forms of antisemitism. The Tietz Lecture will discuss what action we, as a community, can take.

One year ago the Her.Tietz Initiative spoke with Igor Levit and Lena Gorelik about current dangers of antisemitism. This year, on Thursday, October 14 at 6:00 p.m. in a live stream from ALEX Berlin, the Her.Tietz Initiative would like to continue the discussion by engaging in a conversation about antisemitism and conspiracy theories during the Corona pandemic with, among others:

• Mirko Bode, working as a volunteer consultant for “Der goldene Aluhut” against conspiracy theories
• Sawsan Chebli, Representative of the State of Berlin to the Federal Government and State Secretary for Civic Engagement and International Affairs
• Laura Franken, leader of the Her.Tietz Initiative
• Pia Lamberty, social psychologist and co-director of the Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (CeMAS), researching why people believe in conspiracies
• Albrecht Raible, Freelance lecturer on conspiracy theories from the Team of Prof. Michael Butter, University of Tübingen, and research associate in the state parliament of Baden-Württemberg
• Moderator Laura Cazés, Head of Communications and Digitization at the Central Welfare Board of Jews in Germany (ZWST)

Due to the Corona pandemic, the panel discussion and Q&A will be hosted online (in German, with simultaneous translation into English). However, guests can join the discussion live via the online tool Slido and ask questions! For more information about the event, the live stream, and the guests please visit: https://hertietz.de/lecture/

About the Tietz Lecture on Antisemitism

The annual lecture series is named after the Jewish merchant Oscar Tietz, founder of the department store chain “Hermann Tietz” (the name of which was later changed to “Hertie”). In the 1930s, the Nazis forced the Tietz family out of their company through a series of antisemitic repressions. The Her.Tietz Initiative wants to keep the family’s memory alive.

About the Her.Tietz Initiative

The organizer of the Tietz Lecture on Addressing Antisemitism is the Her.Tietz Initiative, a volunteer group of students and alumni of the Hertie School – supported by more than 150 active and former members of institutions funded by the non-profit Hertie Foundation. The initiative advocates for an open and responsible approach to Hertie’s Nazi history, for active commemoration of the victims of the Shoah, and for combating the rise of anti-Semitism today.