Recent Presentations
Focusing on the alarming rise of Holocaust distortion and denial in digital spaces, this presentation examines how social media platforms and AI-driven content ecosystems are increasingly exploited to spread antisemitic narratives and undermine historical truth. These environments enable not only the promotion of harmful tropes but also the active denial, minimization, and misrepresentation of the Holocaust. Tactics include questioning the scale of the genocide, shifting blame onto Jewish victims, and appropriating Holocaust imagery for unrelated ideological agendas, often under the guise of “free speech” or “alternative history.” Such distortions thrive in algorithm-driven spaces that amplify sensationalist content, creating echo chambers where misinformation circulates unchecked. This analysis underscores the urgent need to confront these digital threats, as they erode collective memory, weaken democratic values, and perpetuate contemporary antisemitism on a global scale. By situating these trends within broader debates on technology ethics and historical accountability, the presentation calls for coordinated strategies—spanning education, policy, and platform governance—to safeguard historical integrity and combat the normalization of hate in the digital age.
This presentation explored the origins, evolution, and enduring impact of the blood libel myth in Central and Eastern Europe. The blood libel, an antisemitic accusation that Jews kidnapped and murdered Christian children for ritual purposes, emerged in medieval Western Europe but found especially fertile ground in the societies of Central and Eastern Europe from the early modern period onward. Through a close examination of cases such as the MaÅ‚gorzata libel in Poland (1698), Tiszaeszlár Trial in Hungary (1882–83), and the Beilis Affair in Kiev (1911–13), this study traces how the myth was weaponized by political, religious, and social actors to marginalize and persecute Jewish communities. Additionally, it analyzed the interplay of religious fervor, economic tensions, and nationalist movements that allowed the blood libel to persist and adapt across centuries, often resulting in violence, expulsions, and legal trials. By situating these accusations within the broader context of European antisemitism, the study reveals how the blood libel became embedded in the cultural and institutional frameworks of the region, leaving a legacy that shaped both Jewish and non-Jewish identities. Ultimately, the paper will argue that understanding the regional dynamics of the blood libel is essential for comprehending the mechanisms of prejudice and the resilience of antisemitic myths in European history.
This presentation examined the persistent and often overlooked presence of antisemitism in the United States prior to the Holocaust, challenging the notion of American exceptionalism in its treatment of Jewish communities. While Jews in America were granted citizenship from the nation’s founding without undergoing a formal emancipation process, their experience was far from immune to prejudice. Antisemitism in the U.S. was not codified in law as in Europe, but it manifested in social, economic, and cultural exclusion, often dismissed by historians as isolated incidents. The Leo Frank case, a flashpoint in 1913 Atlanta, revealed the depth of anti-Jewish sentiment and its intersection with racial and regional tensions. The public spectacle surrounding Frank’s trial and lynching galvanized both reactionary and progressive forces. In its wake, two powerful organizations emerged: the Anti-Defamation League, founded to combat antisemitism and promote justice, and the revived Ku Klux Klan, which expanded its targets to include Jews alongside Black Americans, Catholics, and immigrants. This presentation situated the Frank case within a broader narrative of American antisemitism and explores how these events shaped national identity, civil rights movements, and the enduring struggle against hate.
Recent Invited Lectures
"Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching the Holocaust"
American Historical Association,
2025 Texas Conference on Introductory History Courses
Dr. Cynthia M. Seton-Rogers discussed pedagogical strategies for teaching the Holocaust in a way that bridges historiography and classroom practice, addressing the dual role of educators as scholars and memory-shapers. Key themes included combating denial, fostering ethical reflection, and navigating trauma responsibly. Approaches such as chronological framing, thematic analysis, microhistory, and inquiry-based learning are discussed alongside digital tools and museum resources. Emphasis was placed on age-appropriate materials, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Dr. Seton-Rogers advocates for integrating Holocaust education across curricula to ensure relevance and resilience in confronting contemporary antisemitism and injustice.
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2025 Annual Teacher Institute
June 26, 2025
Dr. Cynthia M. Seton-Rogers explored the powerful role of visual media, particularly photographs and political cartoons, in shaping American public opinion and public discourse. Her research illuminated how such imagery was not merely reflective of societal attitudes but actively contributed to the marginalization of Jewish and immigrant communities. By tracing the institutionalization of exclusionary ideologies, she demonstrated how visual representations perpetuated stereotypes and stoked public fear, embedding bias into the cultural and political fabric of the nation. Dr. Seton-Rogers emphasized the critical importance of examining these historical patterns to foster student engagement with issues of representation, prejudice, and social exclusion. Her work encourages thoughtful reflection and active inquiry, equipping learners to recognize and challenge bias in both historical narratives and contemporary media.
Archived Presentations and Programs
Latin American Jewish Studies Association 19th International Research Conference
“Sephardic Networks Spanning the Atlantic World from England to the Caribbean”
June 28 – June 30, 2021 | Virtual
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The Baylor University Institute for Oral History Workshop
Summer 2020 | Virtual
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9th Annual Conference of the Society for Sephardic Studies
“The Sephardim in the Age of Exploration and the Building of Empires”
June 24 – 26, 2019 | The University of Lisbon
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British Association for Jewish Studies Annual Conference
“Unlikely Assets: Sephardic Jews in Early Modern England”
July 9 – 11, 2018 | St Aidan’s College, Durham University