June 6, 2025 — Paris, France
New Fulbright Specialist will be hosted by AJC Paris
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has announced a new Fulbright Specialist Program, a cutting-edge initiative focused on building a future where young people on both sides of the Atlantic grow up in societies where antisemitism is no longer normalized and where democratic ideals flourish.
This announcement comes in the wake of the murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in Washington, D.C.; vandalism and thinly veiled threats in the form of green paint on a Holocaust memorial, synagogues, and a Jewish-owned restaurant in Paris; and the attack on a group in Boulder, Colorado, advocating for the release of the more than 50 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
“Right now, across France and the United States, we’re seeing antisemitism repackaged and rebranded–and to some, made palatable under the guise of anti-Zionism,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “As the two largest diaspora Jewish communities in the world, French and American Jews must take action into our own hands. This Fulbright Specialist program does just that, and will be an integral part of our work to combat anti-Jewish hate. The specialist will help us identify the most effective ways that American and French leaders can address rising antisemitism.”
Hosted by AJC Paris, the Fulbright Specialist will support a comparative research and policy initiative, identifying best practices and innovative responses to rising antisemitism in both the United States and France. This will include conducting interviews with policymakers, educators, and civil society leaders; analyzing educational content and media discourse; and translating findings into actionable policy recommendations. These insights will help AJC and its partners develop more targeted advocacy for institutions and innovative projects for civil society in both countries.
“This program is more than a research project—it is a commitment to building a lasting transatlantic framework that empowers the next generation, strengthens institutions, and inspires civil society to unlock greater potential for long-term, meaningful impact,” said Anne-Sophie Sebban-Bécache, Vice President, AJC Europe.
The new Fulbright Specialist Program was announced at On the Frontlines: French-American Forum on Antisemitism, a first of its kind conference hosted by AJC Paris in partnership with the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF). The conference, which centered on youth engagement, education, and transatlantic cooperation, highlighted how the challenges faced by the Jewish community are global — and require a global response. Featured speakers included Aija Mayrock and Nuseir Yasin (Nas Daily), former Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt; Dr. Andrew Martin, Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis; Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po; Eric Ward, Executive Vice President of Race Forward; Professor Pamela Nadell, Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History, American University; and Dr. Dominique Reynié, General Director for the Foundation for Political Innovation (FONDAPOL). The Fulbright Specialist will build on the work and insights from the Forum, and AJC and CRIF will present the final report to policymakers in the United States and France.
“Against the wave of antisemitism, we are not powerless.This French-American Forum on combating antisemitism is a declaration: France and the United States, together, must lead by example and we believe that both civil societies have a key role to play,” said CRIF President Yonatan Arfi.
The summit comes at a decisive moment not only for Jewish communities around the world but also for the preservation of the values of our societies. According to AJC Paris’ Survey of Antisemitism in France 2024, one in four French Jews say they have been the victim of an antisemitic act since October 7, with young French Jews, under the age of 25, more likely to be targets (37%). AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report found that one in three (33%) American Jews say they have been the personal target of antisemitism – in person or virtually – at least once over the last year, with that figure rising to four in 10 (41%) for young American Jews (ages 18-29).
More information on the Fulbright Specialist Program is available here.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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