WRITING ABOUT SEPARATE COUNTRIES
Germany
Ironically, out of every single country that I researched, I think that Germany’s level of anti-semitism may be the lowest. Within Germany, one report of suspected anti-semitism had to do with a Jewish leader whose window was broken during the night. The leader, Fuerst, said, “It was probably an air pistol.” (Windows Broken at Jewish Leaders House) but then added that he did not know if he was the target.
To me this story shows that within Germany the hate towards Jews is minimal. If a high ranking Jewish individual doesn’t think that a broken window in his apartment is an anti-semitic threat, I can infer that he felt confident about his overall safety. Finding stories about these types of attacks can be difficult in a society that speaks a different language.
Therefore, I found a study done on how Germans viewed the Jews. The results were surprising. In this study, they asked Germans to respond to the following statement:
"Jews have made vital contributions to the development of German science and culture." 61% of Germans agreed with the statement, while 24% answered NA. This means that only 15% of Germans disagreed. (German Attitudes Toward Jews, The Holocaust and the U.S) This demonstrates that the Germans generally value the Jews within their society. Relative to the sentiment 70 years ago, 15% seems very low.
Poland
Poland is a fairly anti-semitic country.
“Politics in Poland remain vulnerable to nationalist extremism, intolerance and anti-semitism. The most worrying indication of this trend so far has been the formation, in May 2006, of a coalition government comprised of the Law and Justice Party in partnership with the extreme right-wing League of Polish Families (LPF) and the populist Self-Defense parties. Ministerial posts were awarded to Roman Giertych, leader of the LPF, and Andrzej Lepper, leader of Self-Defense. Lepper has expressed admiration for Hitler's policies.” (Democracy and the Challenge of Extremism)
Personally I view this as a threat to the Jews that are within Poland. These people who agree with Hitler’s policies are not going to be helping the Jews within Poland.
I found a study done in Poland about the current state of anti-semitism by asking a series of questions.
1. “63 percent of respondents think that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to Poland.2. 55 percent of respondents think that Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. 54 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets. 4. 55 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.”
3. 54 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets. 4. 55 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.”
(Anti Semitism International)
The Jews have been persecuted throughout history and the statements related to having too much power in the business world and the international financial markets are some of the stereotypes that have lead the Jews to be persecuted. With over half of the population believing this, these are actually demonstrating the first two stages of genocide (classification, symbolization). Since these are early stages, it is difficult to intervene.
South Africa
Surprisingly, I found the most anti-semitic comments coming from South Africa. Many opinions of people living within South Africa are based on their opinions of Israel rather than the opinion of the Jewish people.
”Simply being Jewish makes one an ‘Israel supporter’ – and not just someone who believes in the right of Jewish self-determination, but someone who supports what is held to be as an evil apartheid state. The overwhelming majority of Jews in South Africa do support Israel, in one sense or another. An email which is currently widely circulating is listing Jewish owned companies as targets of boycott. Already, certain Jewish owned shops are noticing a significant drop in business.” (Alana Pugh-Jones)
This statement alone shows the level of hatred towards the Jews within South Africa. Although South Africa as a whole may not necessarily be anti-semitic or anti-Zionist, there are a few people that are are creating an extreme environment for the Jews that live there. To me the fact that being Jewish means that you support Israel is an overgeneralization that is coming directly from anti-Zionism sentiments. This is disconcerting because many of these people have no real hate for the Jews but instead they hate the decisions of Israel. Regardless of whether the Jewish people support Israel or not, it is wrong for others to make these assumptions.
To stop this current situation I would recommend a few things. First I would try to remove the email that is circulating about boycotting Jewish businesses. Next, I think that educating many of these people would stop their hate for the Jews. This would help them understand that Judaism is a religion rather than a political party and that not all Jews support Israel. If these steps are taken, I think that levels of anti-semitism within South Africa will decrease dramatically, although levels of anti-Zionism may not. This could be seen as acceptable because it isn’t directed at a certain group of people within a society.
China
China is different from many of the other countries in a few ways. They are anti-semitic, but in some ways the anti-semitic ideas are based on stereotypes rather than real hatred. For example, books are written on how Jews are to blame for the financial mess. In fact, “Such conspiracy theories are not rare in Asia. Japanese readers have shown a healthy appetite for books such as:
To Watch Jews is to See the World Clearly,
The Next Ten Years: How to Get an Inside View of the Jewish Protocols.
Even so, there have been other books that talk highly about the Jews such as:
The Eight Most Valuable Business Secrets of the Jewish
The Legend of Jewish Wealth
Jewish People and Business: The Bible of How to Live Their Lives
Jewish Entrepreneurial Experience and Business Wisdom
These books are not necessarily bad, but at the same time the stereotypes that they follow are ones that have been detrimental towards the Jews in the past. In fact many Jews were persecuted for being wealthy or shrewd business men. It is unfortunate that in such a modern world these false images must persist. Although this may not be directly anti-semitic, it is still wrong. It causes people to label someone because of their religion without knowing who they are. Therefore I think that even though China and Japan are not overtly anti-semitic, there is potential for stereotypes and prejudice leading to increasing anti-semitism.
America
The United States of America is seen as a country that is extremely openminded. Even so, there is some definite anti-semitism. For example there was a study done by the ADL that showed that 17 percent of Americans have anti-Semitic views. (ADL, anti-Semitism on the rise in America) This means that 35 million people in America have anti-semitic views. Although this isn’t a huge percentage, it is reasonably high for such an open minded society. Also many of these people believe the common stereo-types of Jews. For example a few studies were done with the following statements:
While nobody will say it out loud, there is much evidence that Jews control America's foreign policy. (The Israel Project National Survey, January 2007)
16% agree
77% disagree
While nobody will say it out loud, there is much evidence that Jews control the world's financial and communications institutions. (The Israel Project National Survey, January 2007)
20% agree
71% disagree
As you can see the percentage of people who agree with these statements is very close to 17% previously stated. Therefore to me, I think that many of these people with the anti-semitic thoughts also believe many false images about Jews.
As we have seen historically Jews have been persecuted throughout the ages because of these stereotypes. Although that is not the case right now it still hints at the fact that people will believe almost anything.
To me, this directly connects to genocide. For example, Asch conformity experiments shows how people will follow each other when they think the others are right. In this example, many of these people may not think that Jews control the financial institution but when they see others saying it, they could change their mind.
Anti-Jewish sentiment in Austria
• The data indicate that 30 percent of Austrian respondents answered "probably true" to at least three of the four anti-Semitic stereotypes presented.
• Their responses to the four statements are as follows:
1. 47 percent of respondents think that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to Austria.
2. 36 percent of respondents think that Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. 37 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
4. 55 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
• 43 percent of Austrian respondents blame "Jews in the financial industry" either "a great deal," "a good amount" or "a little" for the current global economic crisis.
• 17 percent of those surveyed in Austria agree that the Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.
• 28 percent say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions of the State of Israel. Of those, 47 percent say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of actions taken by Israel, while 22 percent say their opinion of Jews is better as a result of the actions taken by Israel.
• 39 percent believe the source of the current violence directed against Austrian Jews is a result of anti-Jewish feelings while 22 percent believe that the source of the violence is a result of anti-Israel sentiment.
• By a margin of 71 percent to 12 percent, respondents think that the Austrian government is doing enough to ensure the safety and security of its Jewish citizens.
Anti-Jewish sentiment in France
• The data indicate that 20 percent of French respondents answered "probably true" to at least three of the four anti-Semitic stereotypes presented.
• Their responses to the four statements are as follows:
1. 38 percent of respondents think that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to France.
2. 33 percent of respondents think that Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. 27 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
4. 33 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
• 15 percent of French respondents blame "Jews in the financial industry" either "a great deal," "a good amount" or "a little" for the current global economic crisis.
• 11 percent of those surveyed in France agree that the Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.
• 12 percent say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions of the State of Israel. Of those, 47 percent say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of actions taken by Israel, while 29 percent say their opinion of Jews is better as a result of the actions taken by Israel.
• 39 percent believe the source of the current violence directed against French Jews is a result of anti-Jewish feelings while 25 percent believe that the source of the violence is a result of anti-Israel sentiment.
• By a margin of 60 percent to 16 percent, respondents think that the French government is doing enough to ensure the safety and security of its Jewish citizens.
Anti-Jewish sentiment in Hungary
• The data indicate that 47 percent of Hungarian respondents answered "probably true" to at least three of the four anti-Semitic stereotypes presented.
• Their responses to the four statements are as follows:
1. 40 percent of respondents think that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to Hungary.
2. 67 percent of respondents think that Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. 59 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
4. 56 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
•
• 46 percent of Hungarian respondents blame "Jews in the financial industry" either "a great deal," "a good amount" or "a little" for the current global economic crisis.
• 33 percent of those surveyed in Hungary agree that the Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.
• 15 percent say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions of the State of Israel. Of those, 60 percent say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of actions taken by Israel, while 20 percent say their opinion of Jews is better as a result of the actions taken by Israel.
• 48 percent believe the source of the current violence directed against Hungarian Jews is a result of anti-Jewish feelings while 17 percent believe that the source of the violence is a result of anti-Israel sentiment.
• By a margin of 51 percent to 26 percent, respondents think that the Hungarian government is doing enough to ensure the safety and security of its Jewish citizens.
Anti-Jewish sentiment in Spain
• The data indicate that 48 percent of Spanish respondents answered "probably true" to at least three of the four anti-Semitic stereotypes presented.
• Their responses to the four statements are as follows:
1. 64 percent of respondents think that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to Spain.
2. 56 percent of respondents think that Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. 74 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
4. 42 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
•
• A quarter of Spanish respondents blame "Jews in the financial industry" either "a great deal," "a good amount" or "a little" for the current global economic crisis.
• 21 percent of those surveyed in Spain agree that the Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.
• 36 percent say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions of the State of Israel. Of those, 74 percent say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of actions taken by Israel, while 13 percent say their opinion of Jews is better as a result of the actions taken by Israel.
• 26 percent believe the source of the current violence directed against Spanish Jews is a result of anti-Jewish feelings while 38 percent believe that the source of the violence is a result of anti-Israel sentiment.
• By a margin of 52 percent to 21 percent, respondents think that the Spanish government is doing enough to ensure the safety and security of its Jewish citizens.
Anti-Jewish sentiment in the UK
• The data indicate that 10 percent of British respondents answered "probably true" to at least three of the four anti-Semitic stereotypes presented.
• Their responses to the four statements are as follows:
1. 37 percent of respondents think that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to the UK.
2. 15 percent of respondents think that Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. 15 percent believe that Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
4. 20 percent believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
• 16 percent of British respondents blame "Jews in the financial industry" either "a great deal," "a good amount" or "a little" for the current global economic crisis.
• 19 percent of those surveyed in the UK agree that the Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.
• 20 percent say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions of the State of Israel. Of those, 66 percent say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of actions taken by Israel, while 20 percent say their opinion of Jews is better as a result of the actions taken by Israel.
• 30 percent believe the source of the current violence directed against British Jews is a result of anti-Jewish feelings while 26 percent believe that the source of the violence is a result of anti-Israel sentiment.
• By a margin of 46 percent to 23 percent, respondents think that the British government is doing enough to ensure the safety and security of its Jewish citizens.
PROJECT REFLECTION
The piece of work that I am most proud of is the final product. At the start of this project, I had no idea where my project was headed. Even worse, when we were supposed to start project work, I almost changed my whole idea. Even so I stayed true to my original idea. About a week before the due date, I was totally out of time and my rough draft was so rough that I wasn’t sure that I was even going to be ready for exhibition. Then 3 days before exhibition, I really kicked it into gear. I got my country writing on lock and started on my map. The next night, I stayed up to midnight just working on my artist statement, and I was still not pleased with it. Finally, the night before exhibition, I got close to three hours of sleep. By this time I had gotten everything as close to perfect as I wanted, I was about to die from sleep deprivation. Even so, I literally could not believe how beautiful my project came out. Honestly it was my best project to date and it was extremely informative.
If I had one more week to work on my project I would have analyzed more countries. I had a lot of information on countries that I used but I did not do any analyzation on them.
My strongest point in this project was connections. The first line me and Florian said to everyone was, “This project means a whole lot to us as a team. Florian is German, while I am Jewish. 70 years ago we would not have been able to talk to each other, and now we are working on this project together. This just shows how far society has come in such a short period of time.” This directly got our message across and was a direct connection to our project.
Professionalism.
My map wasn’t spectacular, and I wish in some ways that we had colored the map before we printed it, and printed it in higher res. This would have made it much more beautiful. There were a few smears here and there, and I messed up on the UK in sharpie, so overall, this would be a weak point.
Professionalism : 9/10
Connections: 9.7/10
Focus: 9.5/10
Audience engagement: 9.8/10
I think I deserve this grade because this project was one of my best. The average of those grades is a 95, and I think that is exactly what I deserve. Although I had to pull it all toegether at the last minute, I think that overally, it turned out abovemy expectations, and I hope yours as well. To be honest the only reason I wouldn’t give myself a 100 is because the map wasn’t as dialed as I wish it was. Regardless, I think that no doubt this was my best project yet.
Elliott Saslow
The changes from the Holocaust
Genocide is a major issue of the 20th century. Many genocides occurred during this time period but none as well known as the Holocaust. The Holocaust was the largest mass murder of Jews ever recorded. The Nazis from Germany killed Jews in gas chambers, because the people of Germany blamed their problems on the Jewish people. This started in the late 1930’s, and by the time it was over a six million Jews had been killed in the Holocaust. In my project, I wanted to focus on how the perception of Jews changed over time as a result of the Holocaust. Also, I wanted to direct peoples’ attention to current problems with anti-semitism.
My project has a lot of meaning to me and my partner for a variety of reasons. I am Jewish, therefore it is interesting to learn the history of the religion I am a part of. At the same time, it is disheartening to see that how people will change their views about individualsbased on their religion. For my partner, because he is from Germany, it applies directly to him as well. He has been able to study his own country during the time when the Holocaust was occuring. We both learned about the difference between the level of anti-semitism now compared to the 1930’s. Going through the research, I have gotten a new understanding for anti-semitism globally. Initially, I thought that around the world, anti-semitism was almost non-existent; yet I learned that this was incorrect. I found that many of the countries have a great deal of anti-semitism. This saddened me and also opened my eyes to the hate around the world.
After going through my research, I changed my project a few different ways. From the different amounts of anti-semitism, I decided to color code the map and do a short excerpt about each country and the levels of anti-semitism in the country. For example in South Africa some people believe, “If you’re Jewish, you support Israel, and therefore many Jewish businesses have seen a drop in business.” (Alana Pugh-Jones) I was shocked that in such a modern world, we still make assumptions and stereotype people. While thos prejudices were disappointing, I was more optomistic about the changes that came about in Germany. For example, in a survey of Germans, 61% agreed and 24% answered NA. to the following statement; "Jews have made vital contributions to the development of German science and culture." This shows that people can change the way they think. This is an excellent example of positive change within Germany in the past 70 years.
The idea of this project is to show the differances between the countries and how they have changed over time with regards to anti-semitism. It is quite astounding to think that my partner and I could do thi project together. If this were 70 years ago, it would not have been possible. As a German, my partner would be influenced by the Nazi party and forbidden to associate with me. Just with that example it shows how far society has come in such a short period of time. Although there are countries that still have extreme views, the change from back in the 1930’s to now is so monumental that there is hope that some day all anti-semitism will be irradicated.
There are some positive aspects that I gained from this project. First of all, I gained a deeper appreciation of my Jewish heritage. Next, I am grateful to live during a time when anti-semititsm is not nearly as prevalent. Finally, have developed a sensitivity to people of different cultures and religious groups. I hope that I can take this knowledge further to be a more compassionate person.
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This project was based off of propaganda during WWI. Our project was to design a piece of WWI propaganda and an essay to explain it. To do this we first studied WWI propaganda and how propaganda is made. Then we decided the type of propaganda we wanted to do. Finally we created it within photo shop and then printed it on a plotter.
Revisions were the most difficult part of the project for me, I had trouble finding what I need to add or remove. I added and removed the gorilla from my poster a few times and I needed to change my color schemes a few times. The biggest change I went through would be from my 2nd draft to my final. I completely changed my poster because I did not like the way it was looking. Overall, though I feel that it came out beautifully.
As I said before, I think that my poster is an amazing piece of work. I put a ton of effort into it and I think that it paid off. My goal was to make sure that my poster was not obviously photoshopped. Although the effects I used can only be found in photo shop, when looking at the poster it gives the impression that it is all real. This was the one thing that I did not like about the posters that I critiqued during the project
I was very interested to learn about the different weapons that were in the war. I thought the zeppelin was an extremely interesting and the way it worked. It led the way for modern bombers. The other thing I found very interesting is how the USA did not come into the war until much later. And in fact, once they joined the war ended very quickly.
If I were to re-do this project there I would have done my first draft of my paper better. I did not do it to high enough standards and therefore did not get feedback from Lori. This hindered me in some ways, but I think I pulled it together and made my paper much better than before
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