Pamela Nadell is a professor of Jewish history at American University, director of its Jewish Studies Program, and a recipient of the university’s highest award, “Scholar/Teacher of the Year.” As a Jewish studies scholar, she has taught courses on ancient and medieval Jewish civilization, modern Jewish civilization, American Jewish history, Jewish women’s history, modern Jewish literature, Holocaust history, and antisemitism. She brings her deep knowledge of Jewish history, culture, and education to her consulting and public speaking work.

Posts

JewishReconstructionistCongregation

May 18, 2025 “Understanding Contemporary Antisemitism” Hosted by Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston, IL – Zoom Conference

/in

In this upcoming virtual conversation taking place on May 18, 2025, Pamela S. Nadell, Director of the Jewish Studies Program at American University, will join JRC member Daniel Greene to explore the persistence of antisemitism in American society. Drawing from her forthcoming book, Antisemitism, an American Tradition, Professor Nadell will trace the historical roots of antisemitic rhetoric and discrimination, connecting past patterns to the present-day rise in incidents across the country.

Read more

May 4, 2025 “Celebrating Professor Jonathan Sarna’s Scholarship” at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

/in

Pamela Nadell will be at Brandeis University on May 4, 2025 for the Celebration of Professor Jonathan Sarna’s Scholarship. Jonathan D. Sarna is University Professor and the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University. Author or editor of more than thirty books on American Jewish history and life, his American Judaism: A History – recently published in a second edition — won six awards including the 2004 “Everett Jewish Book of the Year Award” from the Jewish Book Council.

Read more
Women's League for conservative Judaism

April 8, 2025 “Through Women’s Eyes: Antisemitism in America” Hosted by Women’s League for Conservative Judaism – Zoom Conference

/in

Pamela Nadell is honored to participate in “Through Women’s Eyes: Antisemitism in America,” a Zoom conference hosted by the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism on April 8, 2025. This important event will explore the challenges of antisemitism in America through a women’s perspective, fostering dialogue and understanding.

Read more
LondonCentrefortheStudyofcontemporaryAntism

March 30, 2025 “Antisemitism, an American Tradition” Keynote, Contemporary Antisemitism Conference in London, England

/in

The Contemporary Antisemitism Conference: London 2025, co-hosted by the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (LCSCA) and the Comper Center, will explore global antisemitism in political, social, and cultural contexts. Keynote speaker Pamela Nadell will discuss her book Antisemitism, an American Tradition, shedding light on its history and persistence in the U.S.

Read more
Minnesota Star Tribune

Guthrie’s three-act ‘Lehman Trilogy’ charts one immigrant family’s epic rise and catastrophic fall

/in

The Guthrie Theater’s production of “The Lehman Trilogy” is a three-act play that chronicles the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers financial empire. Adapted by Ben Power from Stefano Massini’s original work, the play spans 170 years and is performed by three actors who portray over 50 characters. It begins with the arrival of the Lehman brothers from Bavaria in the 19th century and follows their journey from a small fabric business in Alabama to becoming a powerful international finance firm, culminating in the firm’s collapse during the 2008 financial crisis. The production delves into themes of the American dream, capitalism, and the personal costs of success.

Read more
NYU Center for the Study of Antisemitism logo

November 3, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Event, New York University, New York City

/in

November 3, 2025. Antisemitism, an American Tradition book event at New York University. Jews met antisemitism on landing in New Amsterdam in 1654 when Peter Stuyvesant tried to expel them. The founding of the US changed little, as negative European stereotypes rooted into American soil. They faced restrictions on holding office, admission to schools, and employment in industry, while their synagogues and cemeteries were vandalized. Recently, white nationalists chanted “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville, Virgina, and a gunman killed eleven members at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue building. Antisemitic incidents have increased each year.

Antisemitism, an American Tradition explores the depth of this fraught history. The book reveals how Jews battled antisemitism through the law and by creating organizations to speak for them. Jews would also fight back with their fists or join with allies in fighting all types of hate. This momentous work sounds the alarm on a hatred that continues to plague our country.

Read more

November 9, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Talk, Mah Tovu Congregation, Chicago, IL

/in

November 9, 2025. Antisemitism, an American Tradition, Mah Tovu Congregation. Jews met antisemitism on landing in New Amsterdam in 1654 when Peter Stuyvesant tried to expel them. The founding of the US changed little, as negative European stereotypes rooted into American soil. They faced restrictions on holding office, admission to schools, and employment in industry, while their synagogues and cemeteries were vandalized. Recently, white nationalists chanted “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville, Virgina, and a gunman killed eleven members at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue building. Antisemitic incidents have increased each year.

Antisemitism, an American Tradition explores the depth of this fraught history. The book reveals how Jews battled antisemitism through the law and by creating organizations to speak for them. Jews would also fight back with their fists or join with allies in fighting all types of hate. This momentous work sounds the alarm on a hatred that continues to plague our country.

Read more
Northwestern Hillel logo

November 10, 2025 Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Event, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

/in

November 10, 2025. Antisemitism, an American Tradition at Northwestern University Hillel. Jews met antisemitism on landing in New Amsterdam in 1654 when Peter Stuyvesant tried to expel them. The founding of the US changed little, as negative European stereotypes rooted into American soil. They faced restrictions on holding office, admission to schools, and employment in industry, while their synagogues and cemeteries were vandalized. Recently, white nationalists chanted “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville, Virgina, and a gunman killed eleven members at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue building. Antisemitic incidents have increased each year.

Antisemitism, an American Tradition explores the depth of this fraught history. The book reveals how Jews battled antisemitism through the law and by creating organizations to speak for them. Jews would also fight back with their fists or join with allies in fighting all types of hate. This momentous work sounds the alarm on a hatred that continues to plague our country.

Read more
American University Graphic

November 12, 2025, Antisemitism, an American Tradition Book Launch, American University, Washington, DC

/in

November 12, 2025. Antisemitism, an American Tradition discussion at American University. Jews met antisemitism on landing in New Amsterdam in 1654 when Peter Stuyvesant tried to expel them. The founding of the US changed little, as negative European stereotypes rooted into American soil. They faced restrictions on holding office, admission to schools, and employment in industry, while their synagogues and cemeteries were vandalized. Recently, white nationalists chanted “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville, Virgina, and a gunman killed eleven members at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue building. Antisemitic incidents have increased each year.

Antisemitism, an American Tradition explores the depth of this fraught history. The book reveals how Jews battled antisemitism through the law and by creating organizations to speak for them. Jews would also fight back with their fists or join with allies in fighting all types of hate. This momentous work sounds the alarm on a hatred that continues to plague our country.

Read more