Book Review
The Enduring Lie by Rabbi Corey Margolese
493 pages │ Margolese Publishing │ September 2025
TORONTO – Rabbi Corey Margolese’s The Enduring Lie is a timely, concise, and action-oriented primer on one of the oldest and most persistent forms of hatred. Written for readers who want both historical grounding and practical ways to respond, the book traces the long trajectory of antisemitism. Then it pivots to concrete strategies for education, advocacy, and solidarity. The result is a work that is part history, part field guide, and entirely relevant to today’s fraught public landscape.
Margolese opens with a readable survey of antisemitism’s historical roots, moving from religious and medieval tropes through nationalist and racial forms in the modern era. He then maps how traditional antisemitic ideas have adapted to new contexts: political movements, campus politics, online ecosystems, and mainstream discourse. The narrative is brisk and well-organized; readers will appreciate how the author connects long arcs of history to the specific challenges activists and educators face now.
What sets this book apart is the second half, where Margolese turns from diagnosis to practice. He does not stop at explaining what antisemitism looks like. He offers tools aimed at a range of readers: educators looking for classroom approaches, community leaders designing safety and outreach programs, students wanting talking points for debate, and everyday citizens seeking ways to respond constructively. These sections are pragmatic and readable. The advice is concrete without feeling overly prescriptive, offering frameworks that can be adapted to different communities and contexts.
Clarity is a major asset. Margolese writes with moral urgency but avoids polemics. Complex legal and historical ideas are rendered in short, accessible chapters that make the book usable as a reference in community seminars or classroom sessions.
The practical focus is another strength. The book’s suggested methods for coalition building, bystander intervention, and educational curricula are realistic and scalable. Readers will find useful checklists and sample approaches they can adopt immediately.
A final virtue is balance. While unapologetically pro-Jewish in defense of Jewish safety and dignity, the book also models how coalition work should be done: with respect for allies, clear boundaries about antisemitic tropes, and an emphasis on evidence and documentation.
At times, the historical survey sacrifices depth for brevity. Readers already steeped in Holocaust studies or the scholarly literature on antisemitism might find some sections introductory. Also, because the book aims for accessibility, legal and international law debates are summarized rather than exhaustively argued. Those seeking a granular legal treatise will need supplementary sources.
This book will be especially valuable for community leaders, educators, students, and anyone involved in advocacy or interfaith work. It is an excellent choice for groups planning discussion series, school modules, or training sessions on hate prevention. It also serves as a compact primer for readers who want a clear, compassionate, and actionable introduction to confronting antisemitism today.
The Enduring Lie offers a rare combination: historical perspective joined to practical tools for real-world action. Rabbi Margolese’s clear prose and purposeful focus make this an essential read for those committed to confronting antisemitism and building durable solidarity. Available on Amazon on September 21, 2025, the book is a timely resource for individuals and institutions seeking both understanding and effective response.