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

Minnesota Star Tribune

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

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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.

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Pamela Nadell’s History: Professor, Author, Researcher

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Pamela Nadell, a historian and professor at American University, has spent over 40 years exploring Jewish history and gender studies. In a recent interview with Washington Jewish Week, she shared insights into her celebrated career as an author, past president of the Association for Jewish Studies, and advocate against antisemitism, highlighting her dedication to scholarship and community leadership.

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New Study Highlights Campus Antisemitism ‘Hot Spots’

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An Inside Higher Ed report on a Brandeis University study reveals significant variations in Jewish students’ perceptions of antisemitism across college campuses. Pamela Nadell, director of the Jewish studies program at American University, emphasizes that rising campus antisemitism reflects a broader national phenomenon, citing past incidents and federal efforts to combat the issue.

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What Jewish College Students Have to Say About the Campus Climate

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In The Chronicle of Higher Education, Pamela Nadell, a professor at American University, expressed concern over survey findings that 30 percent of students at colleges with the “highest hostility” reported encountering anti-Israel hostility from faculty members. “That to me is a major concern and actually something that I really think is a place where the university needs to figure out how to step in,” Nadell said.

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A Brief History of Antisemitism in U.S. Higher Education

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A recent Washington Post article traces the deep-rooted history of antisemitism in American higher education from the 18th century to today’s campus tensions. Pamela Nadell, a historian and director of American University’s Jewish Studies Program, explains how Columbia University, like other elite institutions in the 1920s, restricted Jewish admissions to preserve its Protestant-dominated culture. The article highlights how such exclusionary policies shaped university demographics and how antisemitism continues to manifest in academic settings today.

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The Gaza Crisis is Stoking Antisemitism in the U.S.

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As antisemitic incidents spike across the U.S. in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, experts warn of an alarming rise in hate crimes, online vitriol, and harassment of Jewish students. NBC News reports on this disturbing trend, with historian Pamela Nadell noting that while antisemitism has long been part of American history, the unprecedented scale and intensity of social media-fueled hatred make this moment particularly dangerous.

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Antisemitism on Elon Musk’s X is Surging and Dredging Up Many Ancient, Defamatory Themes of Blaming Jews

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In her article for The Conversation and Yahoo News, historian Pamela Nadell explores how antisemitism is surging on Elon Musk’s X, where hate speech against Jews is gaining traction. She highlights how attacks on the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) echo centuries-old antisemitic narratives.

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