Who are the Jews?
Contrary to Hitler's views, Jews are not a race but an ancient people nearly four thousand years old, who trace their lineage to Abraham of the Bible. He, his son Isaac, and Isaac's son Jacob are considered the Jewish patriarchs.
Over time, they have been influenced and have taken on the attributes of several civilizations. There are blonde haired and blue eyed Jews, browned eyed, hazel eyed, red and dark haired Jews. There are Jews from India with Indian physical traits. The Jews of Ethiopia in Africa are dark skinned and claim to trace their origins to King Solomon of the Bible. There are even Chinese Jews!
Judaism is called the mother of Christianity and Islam, because both religions have their origin in Judaism. To the Jews, right conduct, in everyday life is most important!
The Roots of Anti-semitism
What exactly is anti-semitism? It has been referred as "the longest hatred." It was first introduced by Wilhelm Marr (1818-1904), a German anti-Semite who attempted to build a political career by his hatred of the Jews. He contended Jews were an inferior race and could never live in harmony with Germans because of "polluted blood" and "bad genes" which prompted them to take over any country that accepted them.
Ancient Christian writings portrayed the Jews as villains, Christ killers and devil worshippers. It is hard to believe that two religions having the same origins, Christianity stemming from Judaism and a quarrel within the family, so to speak, can have such devastating long range consequences.
Jesus Christ was a practicing Jew, reared in Jewish tradition. He was born, lived and died as a Jew in first-century Roman Palestine. His father, mother, brothers, followers and twelve disciples were also of the Jewish faith. In fact, the Last Supper is said to have been a Passover Seder, when Jews commemorate the deliverence from Egyptian slavery.
After the death of Jesus, his followers decided to ease the stringent Jewish laws so as to attract non-Jewish converts. As Christianity became more popular and widespread, the church distanced itself from traditional Judaism and in time became more and more anti-Jewish. Christian leaders wanted everyone to convert to their religion. The Jews, as they had done over centuries, clung to the faith of their ancestors.
Why was it so easy to accept antisemitism, to single out and blame the Jew for all the troubles of the world? Primarily because the precedent had been set, but also because the Jewish people no longer had a homeland.
The Dark Ages
In the so called Dark Ages (500-1000), in spite of many anti-Jewish laws, Jews and Christians lived in relative harmony.
During the medieval period, Christians put pressure on Jews to convert to Christianity, sometimes resorting to forced baptisms. Once Jews were baptized, although it was against their will, they became fully accepted in the Christian community.
The Crusades
A series of wars waged by Christian leaders between 1096 and 1271 to reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem from Muslims, became a nightmare of persecution for Jews. Thousands upon thousands were killed and entire communties were wiped out.
The Middle Ages
In 14th century Europe, the bubonic plague was blamed on the Jews. They were accused of poisoning the wells. The Pope pointed out the fact Jews were dying as well, but the hysterical masses needed a scapegoat.
Pogroms
Pogroms destroyed entire Jewish villages, with Kossacks plundering, raping and killing inhabitants. The worst of these were responsible for the destruction of hundreds of Jewish communities in Poland and Russia during the period of 1648-49. You will find this period depicted in the film Fiddler on the Roof.
The above mentioned events set the stage for Hitler's Nazi party and, ultimately concentration camps.
The Holocaust in Perspective
Dr. Edith Rechter Levy
Holocaust Survivor
Chair Emeritas and Founder
West Virginia University Holocaust Commission
Edith is just a HOP, SKYPE and a JUMP away.
Reserve a time now for her to speak to your class via skype.
Rechter Foundation
Post Office Box 1125
Morgantown WV 26507
"Dr. Levy's book is an excellent resource for educators. I highly recommend it."
Deb Bowen
A True Story By Me
Dr. Edith Levy Signing her book for Deb Bowen
University of West Virginia
Teacher's Institute Summer 2009
Group photo with Dr. Levy