Bylaws

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY

Section 1.1 – Purpose

CASA is an academic and professional association dedicated to advancing the scholarly field of contemporary antisemitism studies through research, publication, convening, and institutional collaboration.

Section 1.2 – Foundational Authority

CASA is constituted as a field-defining scholarly body. Its governance structure is designed to preserve intellectual coherence, enable scholarly participation, and support institutional infrastructure including a journal, conferences, and a research hub.

ARTICLE II. EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY

Section 2.1 – Executive Leadership Council (ELC)

The Executive Leadership Council is the supreme governing authority of CASA. Composition:

– David Hirsh, Executive Director and Executive Council Principal

– Ayal Feinberg, Executive Council Principal

– David Barak-Gorodetsky, Executive Council Principal

Section 2.2 – Equal Authority Clause

The Executive Leadership Council shall consist of three Executive Council Principals who share equal governing authority over CASA. Each Principal holds one equal vote. No Principal shall hold greater governing authority than another by virtue of title.

Section 2.3 – Reserved Powers Clause

The Executive Leadership Council retains exclusive authority over all major decisions, including but not limited to strategic direction and mission, budget approval and financial oversight, institutional partnerships and affiliations, creation or modification of governance bodies, appointment and removal of committee chairs and senior roles, ratification of elections, and adoption or amendment of policies. No decision of any subordinate body shall be binding without approval of the Executive Leadership Council.

Section 2.4 – Decision-Making Procedures

Decisions shall be made by majority vote (2 of 3 Principals). Efforts should be made to reach consensus whenever possible. In urgent circumstances, the Executive Director may act provisionally, subject to subsequent Council review.

Section 2.5 – Permanence Clause

The composition of the Executive Leadership Council shall be considered permanent unless modified by unanimous agreement of its members.

ARTICLE III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Section 3.1 – Role

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of CASA and is responsible for operational leadership and implementation of the Council’s strategy.

Section 3.2 – Authority

The Executive Director oversees day-to-day operations, represents CASA publicly, coordinates across institutional partners, and implements programs including conferences, journal, and research hub.

Section 3.3 – Limitation of Authority

The Executive Director operates within the authority of the Executive Leadership Council and remains one of three equal Executive Council Principals.

ARTICLE IV. ADVISORY GOVERNANCE

Section 4.1 – CASA Advisory Council (CAC)

The CASA Advisory Council is an elected representative body of the membership.

Section 4.2 – Composition

Members are elected by CASA membership and structured to reflect disciplinary, geographic, and career-stage diversity.

Section 4.3 – Authority and Function

The Advisory Council provides recommendations on scholarly priorities, advises on conferences and programming, surfaces emerging issues, and produces an annual advisory report.

Section 4.4 – Advisory Limitation Clause

The Advisory Council shall have no independent governing authority. All recommendations require approval by the Executive Leadership Council to take effect.

ARTICLE V. INSTITUTIONAL BOARD

Section 5.1 – Founding Institutional Board (FIB)

The Founding Institutional Board consists of CASA’s founding institutional partners including LCSCA, Gratz College, and the Comper Center at the University of Haifa.

Section 5.2 – Role

The FIB provides institutional infrastructure, administrative and programmatic support, and long-term stewardship of CASA initiatives.

Section 5.3 – Expansion Clause

Additional institutional members may be admitted upon approval of the Executive Leadership Council.

Section 5.4 – Authority Limitation

The Founding Institutional Board serves in an advisory and infrastructural capacity and does not exercise independent governing authority over CASA.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES AND POLICY CHAIRS

Section 6.1 – Standing Committees

CASA shall maintain standing committees including Research & Methods, Publications & Journal, Conference & Programming, Education & Curriculum, Academic Freedom & Standards, Membership & Professional Development, and Communications & Public Engagement.

Section 6.2 – Appointment and Election

Committee chairs may be appointed by the Executive Leadership Council or elected by membership, subject to Council approval.

Section 6.3 – Authority

Committees develop initiatives and proposals, organize programming, and convene sub-networks.

Section 6.4 – Subordinate Authority Clause

Committees operate with programmatic autonomy but shall not enact binding policy without approval of the Executive Leadership Council.

ARTICLE VII. SUB-NETWORKS / SECTIONS

Section 7.1 – Formation

Sub-networks may be established around thematic or disciplinary areas.

Section 7.2 – Role

Sub-networks facilitate collaboration and organize panels, workshops, and publications.

Section 7.3 – Authority Limitation

Sub-networks possess intellectual autonomy but no governing authority.

ARTICLE VIII. MEMBERSHIP

Section 8.1 – Categories

Membership categories include Founding Members, Full Academic Members, Early Career or Graduate Members, and Institutional Members.

Section 8.2 – Rights

Members may vote in Advisory Council elections and participate in committees and sub-networks.

ARTICLE IX. ELECTIONS AND RATIFICATION

Section 9.1 – Elections

Advisory Council members shall be elected by CASA membership. Committee leadership may also be elected where applicable.

Section 9.2 – Ratification Clause

All election results are subject to ratification by the Executive Leadership Council.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

Section 10.1 – Amendment Authority

These governing provisions may be amended only by unanimous consent of the Executive Leadership Council.

ARTICLE XI. INTERPRETIVE AUTHORITY

Section 11.1 – Final Authority

The Executive Leadership Council retains final authority in interpreting these governing provisions and resolving any disputes.