“The Responsibility of English-Speaking Jewish Intellectuals” (1946)
“The Responsibility of English-Speaking Jewish Intellectuals” (1946)
This chapter exhorts Jewish intellectuals—particularly the left-wing, English-speaking ones—to take a more thorough interest in their culture and heritage, especially in the wake of the atrocities of World War II. It notes how many intellectuals have resorted to anti-Semitism—or at least prescribed to a sterilized version of Jewish and Yiddish culture—during the postwar era. Thus, it is the urgent duty of all thoughtful Jewish men and women to examine their attitudes toward their Jewishness and Jewish culture. The liberal and communist Jew is, in an important sense, a leader in their community and helps form public opinion which can be channeled into constructive, progressive action.
Keywords: Jewish intellectuals, World War II, anti-Semitism, postwar era, Jewish culture
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