Handbuch des Antisemitismus
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Compiled by:
Brigitte Mihok
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In collaboration with:
Werner Bergmann
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Edited by:
Wolfgang Benz
The Handbook of Anti-Semitism compiles the present state of knowledge on the phenomenon of Judaeophobia without limits of time or space. Anti-Semitism is the oldest form of religious, cultural, social and political prejudice, and here it is presented and interpreted in all its manifestations – as an attitude, as a political model, as an instrumentalisation of emotions, as aggression ranging from pogroms to genocide.
- This comprehensive reference work provides theoretical and practical knowledge on anti-Semitism without limits of time or space.
- Zentrum für Antisemitismusforschung (Centre for Anti-Semitism Research) is a unique research institution in the German-speaking world, with a global reputation.
- The Handbook has been written by leading international specialists – historians, political scientists, sociologists, psychologists, literary scholars and many others.
Author / Editor information
Wolfgang Benz, Technical University of Berlin.
Reviews
"Ein epochales Werk, das an Gründlichkeit nicht zu übertreffen ist."
Deutschlandradio Kultur 16. September 2015
"Bereits jetzt lässt sich festhalten, dass mit diesem überfälligen „Handbuch“ ein Kompendium vorliegt, das unendlich viele Aspekte des Antijudaismus und Antisemitismus in seinen unterschiedlichsten Erscheinungsformen, in seinen theoretischen Begründungen bzw. Begründungsversuchen und in seinen fatalen praktischen Auswirkungen trotz aller möglicher Kritik im einzelnen in einer Weise thematisiert, dass es nicht nur einen umfassenden und für viele Leser sicherlich durchaus auch neue Einblicke gewährenden Überblick gibt, sondern je nach Interesse auch Anregungen für weitere Nachforschungen bietet."
Wolfgang Braunschädel in: Archiv für die Geschichte des Widerstandes und der Arbeit 19 (2011)
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The first volume, Countries and Regions contains articles on Judaeophobia in 85 countries and regions. The articles are written by outstanding specialists in the field in the various regions. All the contributions present both the historical development of Jewish life and topical manifestations of Judaeophobia. All important states are dealt with, plus historical regions – such as Bessarabia, Bukovina, Transnistria. The volume provides a topography of anti-Semitism past and present.
The Handbuch des Antisemitismus (Handbook of Anti-Semitism) compiles existing knowledge on the phenomenon of Judaeophobia throughout the ages and across the world. The second volume contains more than 650 biographies from the late classical period up to the present day: It presents not only Anti-Semites and prominent victims, but also pioneers of the enlightenment. The spectrum reaches from Pope Leo the Great, Martin Luther and Richard Wagner, to David Irving, Richard Williamson and Mahmud Ahmadineschad.
The third volume covers terms, theories and ideologies of anti-Semitism from A as in “Abwehr” (resistance) to Z as in “Zwangstaufe” (forced baptism). In 150 articles 88 authors explain terms and metaphors such as “Aryan Acts”, “race defilers” and “usurer-Jew”as well as stereotypes like “well poisoning”, “host desecration” and “deicide”. The volume also explores phenomena such as redemptive anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, and hostility towards Jews in antiquity. Furthermore, the handbook extensively discusses theories, research strategies and political contexts of hostility towards Jews, e.g. leftist anti-Semitism, Christian fundamentalism or Islamic anti-Semitism.
Volume 4 deals with events, legislative and administrative actions of discrimination as well as affairs, scandals and controversies. 207 articles explain the motives, the backdrop and the consequences of the manifestation of hatred against Jews and also examples of prevention and resistance against it. The examples include the 19th century antisemitism congresses, the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”, debates on the prohibition of kosher slaughter, the “conspiracy” of Kremlin doctors, medieval vernacular sermons, the Jenninger case, the Walser-Bubis debate and much more.
Im 5. Band des Handbuchs des Antisemitismus behandeln mehr als 140 Autoren in 330 Artikeln Parteien und Vereine, staatliche Behörden und kirchliche Vereinigungen, Nichtregierungsorganisationen und informelle Gruppierungen, Institute, wissenschaftliche oder soziale Gesellschaften, in deren Programm oder Praxis Judenfeindschaft eine Rolle spielt. Ebenso sind Vereinigungen und Zusammenschlüsse, die sich die Bekämpfung des Antisemitismus zum Ziel gesetzt haben, in diesem Band zu finden. Judenfeindliche Gruppierungen waren (und sind teilweise noch) der Alldeutsche Verband, Antisemitenbund (Österreich) und die Antisemitenliga (Deutschland), die Partei Jobbik im gegenwärtigen Ungarn, der Ku Klux Klan in den USA, die Muslimbruderschaft, Noua Dreapta (Rumänien), die NPD, Ossewabrandwag (Südafrika), Radio Maryja (Polen) und die Schweizerische Christenwehr. Neben den ideologisch eindeutig festgelegten Organisationen finden sich auch judenfeindliche Bezüge im Alpenverein, in der Naturschutzbewegung, in der Tierschutzbewegung und in religiösen Vereinigungen wie Opus Dei oder der Priesterbruderschaft Pius X. Beispiele für Institutionen, die sich die Bekämpfung des Antisemitismus zum Ziel setzten oder sich mit dessen Auswirkungen befassen, sind der Abwehr-Verein, der Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens, die Jewish Agency, der Paulus-Bund, oder der Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten.
The 6th volume of this handbook provides information about publishers, newspapers, and journals and also about the numerous treatises, articles, and books that have figured in the history of anti-Semitism, from the pamphlets of the 15th and 16th centuries to the present day.
The Handbook of Anti-Semitism compiles the present state of knowledge on the phenomenon of Judaeophobia without limits of time or space. The seventh volume includes nearly 700 entries that survey cultural anti-Semitism in film, theater, literature, and the visual arts. It examines the trope of the “Eternal Jew” as well as “Jud Süß;” it shows how novels, films and artwork were used as vehicles for anti-Semitism.
Volume 8 includes current supplements to all sections of the complete work and a detailed index with references. The volume, which concludes the encyclopedic compendium, also offers a summary essay by Wolfgang Benz on the lines of development and phenomena of anti-Semitism, from anti-Judaism to Anti-Zionism.
