Essential Terms

• A stereotype is a judgment about an individual based on the real or imagined characteristics of a group.

• Anti-Semitism is prejudice against or hostility toward Jews often rooted in hatred of their ethnic background, culture, and/or religion.

In short, Anti-Semitism is hatred of Jews.

What does “Jewish” mean?

• An ETHNICITY:– People of Jewish ethnicity are descended from

immigrants from the Middle East, and share a genetic heritage. In this way, “Jewish” can be used in the same way that “Latino,” “Black,” or “White” is.

• A RELIGION:– Judaism is a monotheistic religion that was the basis

for Christianity.

Not all ETHNIC Jews practice the RELIGION. Not all RELIGIOUSLY Jewish people are ETHNIC Jews.

Key Elements of Jewish Identity

Star of David

The Torah

Yarmulke“The Holy Land”

(Jerusalem)The “Wailing Wall”

Anti-Semitism

• Hitler was anti-Semitic and developed laws meant to spread anti-Semitism

• However, Hitler was NOT the first anti-sematic person. There is a long history of Anti-Semitism in Europe that goes back 2,000 years ago.

Jewish Diaspora• Jewish kingdoms in Middle East for thousands of years. • Conquered by the Roman Empire• ≈30 C.E. Christianity is formed by Jews near Jerusalem• ≈70 C.E. Roman Empire destroys Jewish kingdoms, Jews are

spread around Europe, N. Africa, and Middle East– Called the “Diaspora”– In Europe, Jews

often become segregated minorities in majority-Christian cities

Jewish Diaspora

• 70 C.E. – 1945 C.E.:– In most of Europe, Jews live in separate, unified

communities, in or near cities and towns.– Europeans knew Jewish communities, but didn’t

interact with them a lot.– Since the Jewish communities were not integrated

with the rest of the countries they lived in, they were often less vulnerable to economic downturns.

Christian Anti-Semitism• Christianity was not Anti-

Semitic originally– Original Christians were Jews!– Gospels (original books of

Christianity) have no criticism of Jews

• As Christianity became a majority religion, Christian leaders began to teach that Jews were bad, should be blamed for Jesus’ execution

• Debate about this for Christians today

The Passion of the Christ (2004)This film, by conservative Catholic Mel Gibson,

features caricatured Jews as tormentors of Jesus, who orchestrate his execution.

Key Term: Blood Libel ()

• Blood libel refers to a false accusation or claim that religious minorities, usually Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays.

• Blood libel is the most common form of Anti-Semitism throughout European history.

• Blood libel is an example of the extreme dangers of stereotyping.

HISTORY OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN EUROPE

• Blood Libel: The story of Simon of Trent (1475:

• Simon of Trent, aged two, disappeared, and his father alleged that he had been kidnapped and murdered by the local Jewish community.

• Fifteen local Jews were sentenced to death and burned.

Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” (1598)

• Main character is Jewish money lender named “Shylock.”

• Is depicted as greedy and murderous.– Demands “Pound of

Flesh” from man who owes him money

Blood Libel: Poland, 1712

• A Fresco from St. Paul’s Cathedral in Poland

• Blood libel in Sandomierz (Poland) in 1712 caused the Jews of the town to be expelled.

Blood Libel: Ukraine 1910

• Anti-Semitic fliers distributed in Kiev, Ukraine warning "Christians, take care of your children!!! It will be Jewish Passover on March 17."

Stereotype: Jews as Political/ Economic Manipulators

• A common element in anti-Semitic cartoons: the Jew holding the world in his hands.

• The Rothschild family is a European family of German Jewish origin that created banks from the late 18th century.

• It has been argued that during the 19th century, the family possessed by far the largest private fortune in the world

• Still influential in Europe after WWI. Hitler blamed Rothschilds for the Treaty of Versailles.

“Rothschild” by C. Léandre; France, 1898

Stereotype: Jews as Political and Economic Manipulators

• Germany’s surrender in WWI was blamed upon the unpatriotic populace, the Socialists, Bolsheviks, the Weimar Republic, and especially the Jews. (1919)

An illustration from a 1919 Austrian postcard showing a caricatured Jewish woman stabbing the German Army in the back with a dagger.

“The one who sucks blood” Germany, Feb 1930

Stereotype: Jews as Political and Economic Manipulators

Process by yourself or with partner

• What was going on in Germany in 1930?

“The one who sucks blood” Germany, Feb 1930