The Anti-Anti
By Dr. Robert Rozett, Director of the Yad Vashem Libraries

From the formation of Germany in the late 19th century onward, German Jews generally felt they were an integral part of German society. German society, however, never really reciprocated. During the First World War, when German Jews played an unprecedented role in the war effort, the authorities carried out a census to determine if Jews were carrying their weight on the frontlines; no other group was subjected to such scrutiny. During the Weimar Republic, Jews played significant roles in many segments of society, but at the same time antisemitic incitement, especially from the far right, continued unabated.

As a result during late 1920s and early 1930s the, Centralverein deutscher Staatsbuerger juedischen Glaubens (Central Organization of German Citizens of Jewish Belief), published a series of flashcards called Anti-Anti, Blaetter zur Abwehr, Tatsachen zur Judenfrage (Anti-Anti, Defensive Pages, Facts Concerning the Jewish Question). The kit, which exists in different editions in the Yad Vashem Library collection, includes about 80 cards arranged in alphabetical order according to the subject of the taunt. In addition it has an index to help locate the proper response to a given affront quickly.

The first card is entitled Antisemitismus (,”Der Jude als Suendenbock”) [Antisemitism, the Jew as Scapegoat]. It states that groups in society that are different are often targeted for hatred and that a special form of this is hatred is antisemitism. It goes on to discuss the process of scapegoating, and even suggests readings about the phenomenon of antisemitism. Another card entitled Minsisterien (Ministers) explains that although it was claimed that Jews were out to take over the government, since the end of the First World War from 500 ministers and high-ranking federal officials in Germany, only 15 were Jews of Jewish extraction.

The Anti-Anti sought to fight hate based on falsehood and ignorance with facts. As the unfolding history that culminated in the Holocaust would demonstrate, it was not especially successful. Nevertheless, three-quarters of a century later, we still believe that the best way to fight lies is with the truth, and that ultimately the key to fighting bigotry is education. The Anti-Anti was not necessarily a bad tool. However, by itself, such a tool, and by themselves, the Jews of Germany could not possibly have staved off the growing Nazi threat.

In the face of radical evil, even in its earliest stages, society as a whole must make a concerted effort to eradicate it. Education, the media, and legislation are all tools in the struggle. The Nazis are an unmistakable example of what can happen when such evil is allowed to strike roots and mature without determined, broad-based opposition. And the Anti-Anti is a reminder of the valiant but hopeless effort of German Jewry to protect itself on its own.


 

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