The Paradox of Anti-Semitism
Encyclopedia
The Paradox of Anti-Semitism is a book written by American Reform Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok
and published in 2006. The book primarily asserts that anti-Semitism
has served as a useful external reinforcement for Jewish culture in the diaspora
, and that the lack of such external persecutions and antagonisms results in the dissolution of Jewish identity
and assimilation.
The book was criticized by former BDBJ
president Lord Janner, who classified anti-Semitism as an "unmitigated evil". Furthermore, Brian Klug of Catalyst, in his review of the book, referred to Cohn-Sherbok's views as being reflective of what Salo Wittmayer Baron
called the lachrymose conception of Jewish history (a view rejected by Baron), retorted that Cohn-Sherbok's depiction of a decline of Jewish identity and cohesion in the West was at odds with the view that the non-monolithic Jewish culture was diversified, evolved and enriched by the relative lack of anti-Semitism in religiously pluralistic places like the United States
Dan Cohn-Sherbok
Dan Cohn-Sherbok is a rabbi of Reform Judaism, a Jewish theologian and a prolific author on religion. He is Professor Emeritus of Judaism at the University of Wales, Honorary Professor at the University of Abersystwyth, Visiting Professor at St Mary's University College, London, York St John...
and published in 2006. The book primarily asserts that anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
has served as a useful external reinforcement for Jewish culture in the diaspora
Jewish diaspora
The Jewish diaspora is the English term used to describe the Galut גלות , or 'exile', of the Jews from the region of the Kingdom of Judah and Roman Iudaea and later emigration from wider Eretz Israel....
, and that the lack of such external persecutions and antagonisms results in the dissolution of Jewish identity
Jewish identity
Jewish identity is the objective or subjective state of perceiving oneself as a Jew and as relating to being Jewish. Under the broader definition, the Jewish identity does not depend on whether or not a person is regarded as a Jew by others, or by an external set of religious, or legal, or...
and assimilation.
The book was criticized by former BDBJ
Board of Deputies of British Jews
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is the main representative body of British Jews. Founded in 1760 as a joint committee of the Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish communities in London, it has since become a widely recognised forum for the views of the different sectors of the UK Jewish...
president Lord Janner, who classified anti-Semitism as an "unmitigated evil". Furthermore, Brian Klug of Catalyst, in his review of the book, referred to Cohn-Sherbok's views as being reflective of what Salo Wittmayer Baron
Salo Wittmayer Baron
Salo Wittmayer Baron was an American historian of Polish-Austrian Jewish ancestry and the most noted historian of the Jews of his generation. Baron taught at Columbia University from 1930 until his retirement in 1963....
called the lachrymose conception of Jewish history (a view rejected by Baron), retorted that Cohn-Sherbok's depiction of a decline of Jewish identity and cohesion in the West was at odds with the view that the non-monolithic Jewish culture was diversified, evolved and enriched by the relative lack of anti-Semitism in religiously pluralistic places like the United States
See also
- The Vanishing American Jew, by Alan DershowitzAlan DershowitzAlan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator. He has spent most of his career at Harvard Law School where in 1967, at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor of law in its history...
, which makes similar claims under the term "Tsuris Theory of Jewish Survival - Anti-Semite and JewAnti-Semite and JewAnti-Semite and Jew is an essay about antisemitism written by Jean-Paul Sartre shortly after the liberation of Paris from German occupation in 1944...
, by Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, particularly Marxism, and was one of the key figures in literary...