Two-Night Program in New York and Washington, D.C. Explores the Roots and Relevance of Antisemitism
Antisemitic hate crimes had already reached historic highs before October 7, 2023. In the aftermath, global hatred of Jews has surged to levels not seen since the 1930s. Why does “the oldest hatred” persist? And what about the Jewish people provokes such relentless animosity?
Renowned filmmaker, author, and human rights activist Rabbi Raphael Shore will address these urgent questions in a series of public events:
September 8 — Congregation Beth Shalom | Book Talk: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Jew? | 7:30 p.m. | Free & Open to All | 390 Broadway, Lawrence, NY
September 9 — Bukharian Jewish Community Center | Film Screening: Tragic Awakening | 7:30 p.m. | Free & Open to All | 106-16 70th Ave, 3rd Floor, Queens, NY
September 10 — Capitol Hill | Screening & Discussion: Tragic Awakening | 6:00 p.m. | RSVP Required: mailchi.mp/raphaelshore/ta
Shore’s latest projects—both his book and film—confront antisemitism head-on, tracing its roots from Nazi ideology to radical Islamist movements. Yet they also uncover something unexpected: how centuries of hatred have paradoxically fueled Jewish resilience and meaning.
Since its release, Tragic Awakening has reached over 500,000 viewers worldwide, airing on Newsmax, Newsmax2, and Daystar, and featured at more than 100 film festivals, conferences, and community screenings. Audiences describe the film as “surprising, moving, and inspiring,” sparking deeper reflection on today’s challenges.
“Antisemitism is not just a relic of history—it is alive and mutating before our very eyes,” said Rabbi Shore. “Through film and dialogue, we hope to equip audiences with both insight and courage to confront it.”
About Rabbi Raphael Shore
Rabbi Raphael Shore is a globally recognized author, educator, and filmmaker whose work empowers the Jewish community and raises awareness of antisemitism in all its forms. As founder of OpenDor Media and the Clarion Project, he has produced 18 acclaimed films—including Obsession, Beneath the Helmet, and Crossing the Line—viewed more than 150 million times worldwide. His documentaries have been screened on Capitol Hill, featured in major media outlets, and even used in NYPD training materials.
His new book, Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Jew?, challenges Jews to reject a mindset of victimhood and instead embrace Judaism’s mission to be a “light unto the nations.” By reframing Jew-hatred as a distorted acknowledgment of Judaism’s moral impact, the book calls on Jews to transform hostility into purpose and contribution to a more just society.
In the wake of October 7—the deadliest day for Jews since Kristallnacht—Shore’s work resonates with renewed urgency, sparking difficult but necessary conversations about Jewish identity, resilience, and the Jewish mission in a fractured world.