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

In recent years, antisemitic attacks have cast doubt on the belief that the US was a safe haven for Jews, prompting a reconsideration of Jewish history and the persistence of antisemitism. French scholar Pierre Birnbaum explores the promise of American tolerance and the darkest moments of American intolerance, arguing that a new form of antisemitic ideology sees the state as an instrument of Jewish control and threatens further bloodshed.

Format: Paperback / softback
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 many 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 some scholars to question whether American Jews are truly sheltered from violence or if they are just more fortunate than other groups.

One influential historian who challenged the "lachrymose conception" of Jewish history as an unending flow of oppressions was Salo Baron. Baron saw American Jews as sheltered from violence, believing that they were unique in their ability to thrive in a society that valued freedom and equality. However, in his book "The Jewish Century," Baron acknowledged that antisemitic prejudice was still present in the United States and that Jews had not been immune to it.

In a recent essay, Pierre Birnbaum, a French scholar, offers a timely reconsideration of Jewish history and the persistence of antisemitism. 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, 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 able to thrive in the country, they have not been immune to the forces of bigotry and hatred. Birnbaum also points out that the rise of white supremacy and the alt-right has contributed to the increase in antisemitic violence in the United States.

Tears of History is an important reflection on the roots of antisemitic violence and hatred. Birnbaum's essay is thoughtful and eloquent, and it provides a valuable insight into the ongoing struggle against antisemitism. It is a reminder that while the United States has been a place of refuge for many Jews, it is not immune to the forces of hate and discrimination. It is up to all of us to work to create a society that is safe and inclusive for all people, regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231209618