Tears of History: The Rise of Political Antisemitism in the United States

In recent years, antisemitic attacks have cast doubt on the belief that Jews are sheltered from violence in the United States. Pierre Birnbaum's book, Tears of History, challenges this view by exploring the persistence of antisemitism and the emergence of a new form of antisemitic ideology that sees the state as an instrument of Jewish control.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

For many Jews, the United States has long been seen as a haven, a place where they could escape the discrimination, persecution, pogroms, and genocide that they had experienced in Europe. While there has been antisemitic prejudice in the country, it has never reached the same scale as what was seen in Europe. White American ethnic violence has targeted various groups, but Jews have rarely been among them.

However, in recent years, a spate of antisemitic attacks has cast doubt on this rosy view. These attacks have included incidents of hate speech, physical violence, and even acts of genocide. This has led many to question whether American Jews are truly sheltered from violence.

One historian who challenged the "lachrymose conception" of Jewish history as an unending flow of oppressions was Salo Baron. Baron saw American Jews as being sheltered from violence, and he argued that their history was marked by periods of prosperity and success rather than constant persecution.

However, Pierre Birnbaum, a prominent French scholar, offers a different perspective in his book "Tears of History." Birnbaum explores the promise of American tolerance as well as the darkest moments of American intolerance, such as the 1913 lynching of Leo Frank. He argues that a new and insidious form of antisemitic ideology has arisen in the United States, one that sees the state as an instrument of Jewish control and threatens further bloodshed.

Birnbaum engages deeply with Baron's views about Jewish history and tracks the echoes of European antisemitic violence in American culture. He notes that while American Jews have been relatively safe from physical violence, they have not been immune to antisemitic rhetoric and propaganda.

One of the most alarming aspects of Birnbaum's book is his argument that a new form of antisemitic ideology has emerged in the United States. This ideology sees the state as an instrument of Jewish control and seeks to undermine the legitimacy of the Jewish community. Birnbaum argues that this ideology is rooted in historical antisemitic beliefs and that it has been perpetuated by a range of groups, including white nationalists, neo-*****, and anti-Zionists.

This ideology has been particularly dangerous in recent years, as it has been used to justify acts of violence against Jews. For example, in 2019, a white supremacist killed three people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shouting "All Jews must die." In 2020, a right-wing extremist killed a Jewish man in New York City and posted a manifesto online that praised ****** and called for the extermination of Jews.

Birnbaum's book is a timely reflection on the roots of antisemitic violence and hatred. He argues that while American Jews have been relatively safe from physical violence, they must remain vigilant against the rise of antisemitic ideology. He calls for greater awareness and education about antisemitism, as well as for stronger measures to combat it.

In conclusion, while the United States has long been seen as a haven for Jews, recent antisemitic attacks have cast doubt on this view. Pierre Birnbaum's book "Tears of History" offers a timely reconsideration of Jewish history and the persistence of antisemitism. He argues that a new and insidious form of antisemitic ideology has emerged in the United States, one that sees the state as an instrument of Jewish control and threatens further bloodshed. Birnbaum's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of antisemitic violence and hatred and the need to combat them.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231209601