Steven J. Zipperstein (born 1950) is the Daniel E. Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University.

[5] In a 2020 article published in The Atlantic, Zipperstein explores the reasons behind the enduring impact of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a fabricated text promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories are many things, but most of all, they’re narratives... complete with the arcs and the rhythms of any other epic tale... Part of what makes certain ones endure is how well they unfurl that story.

He aims to provide a deeper literary analysis of Roth's work, exploring why he held such a prominent place in the cultural landscape.

He states it reduces a complex geopolitical issue to a simplistic moral stance, leading to polarization on campus rather than fostering productive dialogue.