NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL OF ANTISEMITISM: 

November 9, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM ET

American University in Washington, DC

Cost: Free

Sponsored by Brandeis University, Boundless, Jewish Federation of  Greater Washington and NoVaChai, and hosted by American University Washington College of Law. 

The organizers thank The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and StandWithUs for help with promoting this event.

Building a strong foundation of understanding about contemporary antisemitism and its historical roots.

Cultivating communities of practice that expand professional networks dedicated to thoughtful inquiry.

Promoting sustainable policies and programs rather than isolated or reactive responses.

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JCRC’s K-12 Day of Learning

Understanding Jewish Identity & Experience

This High School Wouldn’t Fix Its Antisemitism Problem

Federal officials investigate alleged antisemitism in FCPS schools

MCPS Town Hall Raises Questions About Confronting Antisemitism in Schools

Monday, November 9, 2026

8:30 AM – 4:45 PM ET

American University

Washington, DC (room TBA)

Redline Metro Stop: Tenleytown/AU

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch

Presentations by various experts (see below for profiles), learning from real case studies, break out sessions and processing time. Vegetarian breakfast and lunch provided to all participants! Professional Development Course Credit Certificates will be issued. 

This free, full-day symposium is open to educators, superintendents, principals, school board and district leaders, student program & curriculum professionals, counselors & mentors from DC area public and private high school and middle schools. Preference is given to teams of 3-5 people from the same educational entity (eg school, district, department).

Dr. Rachel Fish is a scholar of modern Israel, Zionist thought, and antisemitism whose research and teaching examine the intersection of Jewish history and contemporary Jewish life. She is the CEO of the Israel Institute, which enhances knowledge about Israel by ensuring university students in both the United States and globally have access to substantive, academically rigorous scholarship about Israel. Fish also serves as the Director of Brandeis University’s President’s Initiative on Antisemitism and is an Associate Research Professor at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. In addition to her academic appointments, Dr. Fish was co-founder and president of Boundless, a non-profit organization founded in 2021. Her work bridges scholarship and practice, translating academic research into applied learning, educational frameworks, institutional strategy, and public policy.

Rabbi Ron Fish has served as the East Division Director of Engagement and Partnerships for the Anti-Defamation League, engaging communities from Maine to Delaware. His role supported ADL's work in building partnerships with Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, especially focused on college campuses in addressing antisemitism. He was also the Interim Regional Director of ADL's New England office, as well as the inaugural Director of Antisemitism Advocacy and Education for the East.

Rabbi Fish served as a congregational rabbi in three communities in the Northeast for 25 years. Most recently, Ron was the Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel in Sharon, MA. He is the immediate past president of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis and has worked through the years as a committed and enthusiastic partner for interfaith dialogue.

Rabbi Fish is a graduate, cum laude, of Brandeis University and has an MA and rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has also completed coursework and comprehensive exams for a Doctorate of Hebrew Letters from JTS.

Dr. Bar Guzi is the Head of Educational Opportunities at Boundless and a Visiting Research Scholar for the President's Initiative on Antisemitism at Brandeis University. He holds a doctorate in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis and is an accomplished educator and scholar of Jewish thought, history, and culture. Bar has a diverse teaching portfolio including faculty positions at Yeshiva University, Wesleyan University, and Golda Och Academy. Bar has also developed and led cross-cultural programs that aim to strengthen connections between Israeli and American Jewish communities. At Boundless, he leads educational initiatives that deepen understanding of Israel and address antisemitism. Guided by an interdisciplinary approach and a commitment to public engagement, Bar encourages critical thinking and honest conversation, helping diverse audiences gain lasting insights that resonate beyond the classroom.

Hussein Aboubakr Mansour is a Fellow at JINSA’s Gemunder Center, where his work focuses on the intersection of Arab politics, Islamist movements, and regional security architecture. An expert in Arab political thought and shifts within Islamist movements, Mansour analyzes how structural evolution impacts U.S. strategic interests and security. His research provides critical insights into the post-Arab Spring ideological currents and the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Gulf.

A widely published author and commentator, his strategic analysis has appeared in The Free Press, Commentary, Tablet, and the Athens Review of Books. Formerly an assistant professor at the Defense Language Institute, he is a recipient of the 2022 Per Ahlmark Award from UN Watch and the 2024 German Mercator Fellowship.