Antisemitica

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Antisemitica are images, texts or objects that depict or describe negative stereotypes of Jews, often driven by hatred, devaluation and degradation.

Contents

Several paraphernalia of Antisemitica have been assembled during the late 20th century and been given to respectable institution for scientic work and responsible exhibitions. In the fields of book collecting, and rare book dealing, the term designates the collection and distribution of books, pamphlets, serials, posters, and other printed literature, of an antisemitic nature. [1]

Motives for viewing and collecting

Antisemitica does not, generally, designate antisemitic activity, or antisemites themselves. In the United States, the freedom of the press does not limit the publication or distribution of antisemitic literature, and there are scholarly and historical interests in such material. Nevertheless American Museums are very reluctant to collect and exhibit such objects. [2]

Several, often Jewish, collectors declared it was their intention to take the material off the market. Arthur Langerman described that he was guided by his attempt to understand the history and the geography of antisemitism. Another Jewish collector, Peter Ehrenthal, noted “a sadistic or masochistic trait to it”. [2]

Collections

Noteworthy collections of Antisemitica have been assembled by Simon Cohen (London), Peter Ehrenthal (New York City), Arthur Langerman (Antwerp) and Martin Schlaff (Vienna). The Schlaff Collection, consisting of about 5,000 objects, was donated to the Jewish Museum Vienna in 1993. The Cohen Collection was exhibited in 2010 at the Jewish Cultural Centre in London and the Ehrenthal Collection was shown in 2012 at the Wolfson Museum of Jewish Art in Jerusalem. [2] The Langerman Collection consists of about 8,000 posters, drawings, paintings, postcards, statuettes and other examples of visual antisemitism from four centuries. In 2019 the collection was donated to Technische Universität Berlin, it is based at its Center for Research of Antisemitism. [3] In 2022, the Langerman Foundation acquired about 800 antisemitic postcards from the estate of Peter Ehrenthal who had died in January of 2022 at the age of 101. [4]

The Price Library of Judaica at the University of Florida has a collection of written Antisemitica that includes close to 300 books and pamphlets. [5] The Jewish Theological Seminary Library holds several pamphlets and periódica from the United States and England including manuscripts and notes from antisemitic immigrant Arthur Cherep-Spiridovich. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

Antisemitism is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against, Jews. This sentiment is a form of racism, and a person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Primarily, antisemitic tendencies may be motivated by negative sentiment towards Jews as a people or by negative sentiment towards Jews with regard to Judaism. In the former case, usually presented as racial antisemitism, a person's hostility is driven by the belief that Jews constitute a distinct race with inherent traits or characteristics that are repulsive or inferior to the preferred traits or characteristics within that person's society. In the latter case, known as religious antisemitism, a person's hostility is driven by their religion's perception of Jews and Judaism, typically encompassing doctrines of supersession that expect or demand Jews to turn away from Judaism and submit to the religion presenting itself as Judaism's successor faith—this is a common theme within the other Abrahamic religions. The development of racial and religious antisemitism has historically been encouraged by the concept of anti-Judaism, which is distinct from antisemitism itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Racial antisemitism</span> Prejudice and discrimination against Jews based on race or ethnicity

Racial antisemitism is prejudice against Jews based on a belief or assertion that Jews constitute a distinct race that has inherent traits or characteristics that appear in some way abhorrent or inherently inferior or otherwise different from the traits or characteristics of the rest of a society. The abhorrence may find expression in the form of discrimination, stereotypes or caricatures. Racial antisemitism may present Jews, as a group, as a threat in some way to the values or safety of a society. Racial antisemitism can seem deeper-rooted than religious antisemitism, because for religious antisemites conversion of Jews remains an option and once converted the "Jew" is gone. In the context of racial antisemitism Jews cannot get rid of their Jewishness.

Antisemitism at universities has been reported and supported since the medieval period and, more recently, resisted and studied. Antisemitism has been manifested in various policies and practices, such as restricting the admission of Jewish students by a Jewish quota, or ostracism, intimidation, or violence against Jewish students, as well as in the hiring, retention and treatment of Jewish faculty and staff. In some instances, universities have been accused of condoning the development of antisemitic cultures on campus.

Martin Schlaff is an Austrian investor, networker, and philanthropist. Since 2006, he is a major shareholder of RHI Magnesita. His net worth is estimated between €3.2 and €8 billion.

The Singerman list is a numeric cataloging system for antisemitica items, as defined by the 1982 bibliographic listing, Antisemitic Propaganda: an annotated bibliography and research guide by Robert Singerman. The list consists of a chronological listing, by year at least, of books, pamphlets, and other sorts of texts, with full bibliographic information. In addition each item is assigned a unique 4-digit number with a short, paragraph-length, annotation. For example, "Singerman 0121" identifies uniquely a particular imprint of The Jewish Bolshevism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of antisemitism in the United States</span>

Different opinions exist among historians regarding the extent of antisemitism in American history and how American antisemitism contrasted with its European counterpart. In contrast to the horrors of European history, John Higham states that in the United States "no decisive event, no deep crisis, no powerful social movement, no great individual is associated primarily with, or significant chiefly because of anti-Semitism." Accordingly, David A. Gerber concludes that antisemitism "has been a distinctly minor feature of the nation's historical development." Historian Britt Tevis argue that, "Handlin and Higham’s ideas remain influential, and many American Jewish historians continue to present antisemitism as largely insignificant, momentary, primarily social."

Antisemitism—prejudice, hatred of, or discrimination against Jews—has experienced a long history of expression since the days of ancient civilizations, with most of it having originated in the Christian and pre-Christian civilizations of Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antisemitism in the United States</span>

Antisemitism has long existed in the United States. Most Jewish community relations agencies in the United States draw distinctions between antisemitism, which is measured in terms of attitudes and behaviors, and the security and status of American Jews, which are both measured by the occurrence of specific incidents.

<i>The Protocols of the Elders of Zion</i> 1903 antisemitic fabricated text first published in Russia

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a fabricated text purporting to detail a Jewish plot for global domination. Largely plagiarized from several earlier sources, it was first published in Imperial Russia in 1903, translated into multiple languages, and disseminated internationally in the early part of the 20th century. It played a key part in popularizing belief in an international Jewish conspiracy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewish Museum Vienna</span> Museum of Jewish history, life and religion in Austria

The Jüdisches Museum Wien, trading as Jüdisches Museum der Stadt Wien GmbH or the Jewish Museum Vienna, is a museum of Jewish history, life and religion in Austria. The museum is present on two locations, in the Palais Eskeles in the Dorotheergasse and in the Judenplatz, and has distinguished itself by a very active programme of exhibitions and outreach events highlighting the past and present of Jewish culture in Austria. The current director is Barbara Staudinger and the chief curator is Astrid Peterle.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a fabricated antisemitic text purporting to describe a Jewish plan to achieve global domination. The text was fabricated in the Russian Empire, and was first published in 1903. While there is continued popularity of The Protocols in nations from South America to Asia, since the defeat of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan in World War II, governments or political leaders in most parts of the world have generally avoided claims that The Protocols represent factual evidence of a real Jewish conspiracy. The exception to this is the Middle East, where a large number of Arab and Muslim regimes and leaders have endorsed them as authentic. Past endorsements of The Protocols from Presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat of Egypt, Iraqi President Arif, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, and Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi of Libya, among other political and intellectual leaders of the Arab world, are echoed by 21st century endorsements from the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Ekrima Sa'id Sabri, and Hamas, to the education ministry of Saudi Arabia.

Antisemitism in France has become heightened since the late 20th century and into the 21st century. In the early 21st century, most Jews in France, like most Muslims in France, are of North African origin. France has the largest population of Jews in the diaspora after the United States—an estimated 500,000–600,000 persons. Paris has the highest population, followed by Marseilles, which has 70,000 Jews. Expressions of antisemitism were seen to rise during the Six-Day War of 1967 and the French anti-Zionist campaign of the 1970s and 1980s. Following the electoral successes achieved by the extreme right-wing National Front and an increasing denial of the Holocaust among some persons in the 1990s, surveys showed an increase in stereotypical antisemitic beliefs among the general French population.

Antisemitism in contemporary Hungary principally takes the form of negative stereotypes relating to Jews, although historically it manifested itself more violently. Studies show antisemitism has become more prevalent since the fall of Communism, particularly among the younger generations. Surveys performed from 2009 and beyond have consistently found high levels of antisemitic feelings amongst the general population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campaign Against Antisemitism</span> British non-governmental organisation

Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) is a British non-governmental organisation established in August 2014 by members of the Anglo-Jewish community. It conducts litigation, runs awareness-raising campaigns, organises rallies and petitions, and provides education on antisemitism and publishes research.

This timeline of antisemitism chronicles the acts of antisemitism, hostile actions or discrimination against Jews as a religious or ethnic group, in the 19th century. It includes events in the history of antisemitic thought, actions taken to combat or relieve the effects of antisemitism, and events that affected the prevalence of antisemitism in later years. The history of antisemitism can be traced from ancient times to the present day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">StopAntisemitism</span> American advocacy group focused on antisemitism

StopAntisemitism is a privately-funded American advocacy group focused on combating antisemitism by exposing and shaming those that it considers antisemites on social media. The group also targets groups and individuals critical of Israel. The group's strategy has been described as doxxing; its CEO describes what she does as exposing its targets and showing them that their actions have consequences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Langerman</span> Belgian jeweller and collector

Arthur Eugène Langerman false Swarzberg, known as Arthur Langerman, is a Belgian diamantaire. He is known for having gathered of one of the largest private collections of antisemitic images in the world. The collection constitutes the Arthur Langerman Archive for the Study of Visual Antisemitism (ALAVA) at Technische Universität Berlin in Germany.

Zionist antisemitism or antisemitic Zionism refers to a phenomenon in which antisemites express support for Zionism and the State of Israel. In some cases, this support may be promoted for explicitly antisemitic reasons. Historically, this type of antisemitism has been most notable among Christian Zionists, who may perpetrate religious antisemitism while being outspoken in their support for Jewish sovereignty in Israel due to their interpretation of Christian eschatology. Similarly, people who identify with the political far-right, particularly in Europe and the United States, may support the Zionist movement because they seek to expel Jews from their country and see Zionism as the least complicated method of achieving this goal and satisfying their racial antisemitism.

A Crown for Zion is an 1898 anti-Zionist polemic written by the Austrian-Jewish writer Karl Kraus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maksymilian Goldstein</span>

Maksymilian Goldstein was a Polish Jewish historian, art critic and collector. He owned a private museum featuring Eastern-European Jewish folk art and Judaica. He made great efforts to save the museum from the Nazis. Ultimately, the Nazis murdered him and his entire family.

References

  1. Rivo, Sharon Pucker (December 2002). "Hollywood and Anti-Semitism: A Cultural History up to World War II (review)". American Jewish History . 90 (4). American Jewish Historical Society: 456–458. doi:10.1353/ajh.2004.0019. S2CID   161782319 . Retrieved 10 February 2022. ...the book limits its focus to antisemitic responses to the Jewish presence in the film industry and particularly to the Jewish Hollywood moguls, which Carr argues can be used to trace American anti-Jewish attitudes from the 1880s to World War II. The strength of Carr's presentation is his comprehensive documentation of what I would call "antisemitica" relating to Jewish Hollywood, including newspapers, magazines, ephemeral materials, memoirs, novels, posters, plays, and congressional reports.
  2. 1 2 3 Daniel Grant: Why collectors of ‘Antisemitica’ Aren’t Always Anti-Semites , Forward, 23 January 2016
  3. Le Monde: Arthur Langerman, le diamantaire anversois qui collectionnait les caricatures antisemites , 11 November 2022
  4. Arthur Langerman Foundation: Expansion of the Archive Holdings , 25 October 2022
  5. University of Florida: Price Library of Judaica , retrieved 20 November 2023
  6. JTS: Anti-Semitica Collection , retrieved 20 November 2023