Full Breakdown
Transition in Antisemitism Research: Aryeh Tuchman Joins Nexus Project
1/30/2026, 4:45:40 AM
Key Developments in Antisemitism Research
Aryeh Tuchman, a prominent antisemitism researcher with nearly two decades at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), has transitioned to the Nexus Project, a rival organization focused on antisemitism research. Tuchman will lead the newly established Nexus Center for Antisemitism Research, which aims to enhance the quality and nuance of research in this field. This move is significant as Nexus has often critiqued the ADL's definitions and responses to antisemitism, particularly regarding Israel and political polarization.
The Nexus Project, founded in 2019 and fiscally sponsored by the New Israel Fund, positions itself as an antisemitism watchdog that also advocates for democratic norms and free speech. Tuchman's appointment is seen as a strategic effort to build a research institution that diverges from the ADL's methodologies. Nexus has previously criticized the ADL's initiative to monitor New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for antisemitic bias, labeling it as “divisive” and “hyperbolic.”
Objectives of the Nexus Center
The Nexus Center will not replicate the ADL's annual audit of antisemitic incidents but will focus on public opinion research and original scholarship. Tuchman emphasized the need to disentangle the complex language surrounding antisemitism, stating, “One of the challenges that we face in understanding antisemitism is the fact that people use words and terms where different people mean things that are completely different.” He aims to explore how specific phrases, such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” are understood by those who use them.
Official Statements & Responses
Alan Solow, chair of the Nexus Project’s board, clarified that Tuchman's hiring was not a repudiation of the ADL but rather an effort to find the best talent in the field. Tuchman himself noted, “This isn’t about repudiating anything I did there. It’s about an opportunity to ask different kinds of questions.” He has committed to maintaining the independence of the center's research, ensuring that findings will not be influenced by Nexus's advocacy agenda.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the positive framing of Tuchman's move, there are underlying tensions regarding the definitions of antisemitism. The ADL's strong support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition has faced criticism from various scholars and civil liberties groups for potentially conflating antisemitism with legitimate political discourse. Nexus's approach, which seeks to differentiate between antisemitism and criticism of Israel, reflects a broader debate within the Jewish community about how to effectively confront antisemitism.
What's Next
The establishment of the Nexus Center for Antisemitism Research comes at a time of heightened discourse on antisemitism, particularly in relation to political activism and social movements. As Tuchman embarks on this new role, the center's research agenda will likely influence ongoing discussions about the nature and measurement of antisemitism in contemporary society.
This transition marks a pivotal moment in the landscape of antisemitism research, with potential implications for how antisemitism is defined, studied, and addressed in the future.
