who repudiate the anti-Jewish part of its program and practice, Dr. Ludwig Hollaender, the Director of the Central Union of German Citizens of Jewish Faith, writes.
So long, however, Dr. Hollaender proceeds, as its authoritative leaders maintain their basic conception with regard to the Jews, we cannot see anything in the Nazi movement that will lead to the rebirth of Germany.
Dr. Naumann complains, he says, that German Jews see only one thing in Nazism—that when the Nazis will take over the Government, all Jews will be killed and that they are blind to everything else in the Nazi movement.
Dr. Naumann knows well enough the program of the Nazis, and its anti-Jewish demands, Dr. Hollaender continues. He has had opportunity enough day after day to see that these anti-Jewish demands are not merely on paper, but that the Nazis actually try to carry them into effect. Dr. Naumann knows the statements made on the subject by the most authoritative people in the Nazi movement, their unrestrained attacks and open incitement against the Jews. He knows, or he should know, that Herr Hitler has on no single occasion attempted to repudiate the most authoritative speakers in his party on the attitude on the Jewish question. Dr. Naumann knows also of the acts of terrorism that have been committed in the last few weeks against Jews. We do not see that this will lead to German regeneration. And we shall not allow ourselves out of fear to subscribe to something that may for the time being seem a way of escaping brutal violence. That would only demonstrate that we are lacking in firmness of character.
We are National German, Dr. Hollaender says, because we wish to see Germany’s greatness restored, but we know also that to place Jews under aliens rights, to incite against Jews, and to commit acts of violence against them, is not the road to Germany’s revival.
Those are acting in Germany’s best interests who fight against this fanaticism.
Dr. Hollaender then refers to an article in the Zionist organ, the “Juedische Rundschau,” concerning Dr. Naumann’s suggestion, in which it said that Hitler’s victory meant the complete collapse of the Jewish assimilationist idea.
This conception, he writes, is to my mind just as wrong as Naumann’s. The Jewish assimilationist idea, properly understood, has taught us to be loyal Germans and loyal Jews. Its champions made it clear to us that the movement which liberated us from the ghetto must also expect to meet rebuffs. We must not be afraid of Hitler’s victory. What the coming weeks and months will bring us, we do not know, but whatever they will bring we stand firm in loyalty to our faith and to ur homeland. And if we must bring sacrifices to this idea, we shall only follow the great heritage of our community. We shall bring our sacrifices bravely to the last.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
