Witch Trials and Antisemitism: A Surprisingly Tangled History

Why do witches wear pointed hats? Or have big noses? Or eat children? The answers, it may surprise us to learn, can be found in the history of antisemitism. Before witchcraft became a dominant scapegoat for misfortune in Europe, it was Jews who were often said to be demonic, evil individuals who poisoned wells, spread plague, and ate children.

With antisemitic incidents on the rise, it is now more important than ever to consider the lessons of history and the patterns of behavior that occur time and time again. This presentation will discuss the long and tangled history between antisemitism and witchcraft beliefs, considering how the allegations and stories used to demonize a group of perceived outsiders have been repurposed again and again, never fully disappearing.

Co-sponsored by the Salem Witch Museum and Voices Against Injustice, this free virtual lecture will be hosted on Thursday, July 20^th at 6:00 pm EST on Zoom.

No registration is required, the Zoom link will be shared on the Salem Witch Museum’s event page on the day of the presentation: https://salemwitchmuseum.com/event/witch-trials-and-antisemitism/