EXODUS FROM EUROPE: THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE IN THE USA AND SA
SOUTH AFRICA
BACKGROUND:
Jews in SA since British occupied Cape. 1841- Gardens Shul established. Mainly German Jews.
1869: Discovery of diamonds.
1886s: Discovery of gold.
Jews escaping pogroms, fires in Lithuania, poverty.
Between 1880 and 1910: Some 40 000 Jews emigrated from Lithuania.
BACKGROUND:
Jews in SA since British occupied Cape. 1841- Gardens Shul established. Mainly German Jews.
1869: Discovery of diamonds.
1886s: Discovery of gold.
Jews escaping pogroms, fires in Lithuania, poverty.
Between 1880 and 1910: Some 40 000 Jews emigrated from Lithuania.
TEXTS
1 and 2: Nechemiah Dov Hoffman, Letter to Hatzefirah 1891
The Jewish Peddler or smous: Good relations with Afrikaners- Jews as chosen people
Upward mobility
No institutionalised antisemitism.
1 and 2: Nechemiah Dov Hoffman, Letter to Hatzefirah 1891
The Jewish Peddler or smous: Good relations with Afrikaners- Jews as chosen people
Upward mobility
No institutionalised antisemitism.
An alternative view: Prof Milton Shain:
Jewish Chronicle 23/1/1914:
"SA as a whole- contrary to the expectations of the would be immigrant does not accord a very hearty welcome and apparently is already regretting that it made it possible for them to come."
Shain: A master narrative, accommodationist view exaggerates the good relations of an "immigrant community, upwardly mobile and prosperous, in a land of tolerance and opportunity."
Antisemitic stereotypes but no antisemitic movements before the 30s, apart from the issue of immigration.
Nonetheless, a general sense of well-being compared to Europe.
Jewish Chronicle 23/1/1914:
"SA as a whole- contrary to the expectations of the would be immigrant does not accord a very hearty welcome and apparently is already regretting that it made it possible for them to come."
Shain: A master narrative, accommodationist view exaggerates the good relations of an "immigrant community, upwardly mobile and prosperous, in a land of tolerance and opportunity."
Antisemitic stereotypes but no antisemitic movements before the 30s, apart from the issue of immigration.
Nonetheless, a general sense of well-being compared to Europe.
3: De Afrikaner 1915
Success in defining Yiddish as a European language and therefore avoiding restrictions of the 1902 Aliens Bill. (Though Jews turned towards English.)
Jews also represented in the political structures.
4. Jan H Hofmeyr: House of Assembly Debates 1930- The Jewish Question
Hofmeyr (liberal minded)- argues in favour of allowing Jewish immigration, "provided these numbers are balanced by immigration of the stock of the people from whom we have sprung."
(DF Malan: "It is very easy to arouse a feeling of hate towards the Jews in this country.") 1930s Grey shirts movement.
1937- Aliens Bill: Restrict Jewish immigration.
5. Ben Weinbren, SA Board of Deputies.
Established to monitor and refute antisemitic propaganda, legally combat antisemitism, and to promote good relations between Jews and non Jews.
A call on Jews to fight the Fascists.
Success in defining Yiddish as a European language and therefore avoiding restrictions of the 1902 Aliens Bill. (Though Jews turned towards English.)
Jews also represented in the political structures.
4. Jan H Hofmeyr: House of Assembly Debates 1930- The Jewish Question
Hofmeyr (liberal minded)- argues in favour of allowing Jewish immigration, "provided these numbers are balanced by immigration of the stock of the people from whom we have sprung."
(DF Malan: "It is very easy to arouse a feeling of hate towards the Jews in this country.") 1930s Grey shirts movement.
1937- Aliens Bill: Restrict Jewish immigration.
5. Ben Weinbren, SA Board of Deputies.
Established to monitor and refute antisemitic propaganda, legally combat antisemitism, and to promote good relations between Jews and non Jews.
A call on Jews to fight the Fascists.
USA
Jews in the Americas since 1492 expulsion from Spain.
16th century- small group of Jews fleeing Brazil settle in New Amsterdam.
19th century: German Jewish immigration, followed by Russian Jewish immigration. Almost 2 million Jews between 1880 and 1924 Quota laws.
TEXT 6: Rabbi Israel Friedlander, The Division between German and Russian Jews. (Orthodox)
Writes about the favourable conditions for a Diaspora Judaism and rise of Reform (brought by the German Jews). Russian Jews- Zionistic.
Russian Jews looked down on by German Jews- almost explosive atmosphere.
TEXT 7: Rabbi David Philipson, American Judaism will not be Ghettoised. 1908
Threat from Russian immigration- "tide of reactionism, ghettoism...."
Expresses confidence that ultimately they too will be Americanised and de-nationalised, remaining as a people of religion.
Jews in the Americas since 1492 expulsion from Spain.
16th century- small group of Jews fleeing Brazil settle in New Amsterdam.
19th century: German Jewish immigration, followed by Russian Jewish immigration. Almost 2 million Jews between 1880 and 1924 Quota laws.
TEXT 6: Rabbi Israel Friedlander, The Division between German and Russian Jews. (Orthodox)
Writes about the favourable conditions for a Diaspora Judaism and rise of Reform (brought by the German Jews). Russian Jews- Zionistic.
Russian Jews looked down on by German Jews- almost explosive atmosphere.
TEXT 7: Rabbi David Philipson, American Judaism will not be Ghettoised. 1908
Threat from Russian immigration- "tide of reactionism, ghettoism...."
Expresses confidence that ultimately they too will be Americanised and de-nationalised, remaining as a people of religion.