British Society and the Jews : a study into the impact of the Second World War era and the establishment of Israel, 1938-1948
The thesis examines the relationship between Britainâs Jews, both established and refugee, with the host community from 1938 to 1948. The relationship is studied in the light of events in Europe and the Near East from the 1938 Anschluss to the 1948 founding of Israel and the ways they impacted upon Jews in Britain. The work shows a positive reaction towards Jews in Britain, with few, but specific exceptions. Existing academic work has often concentrated on those exceptions, particularly in the East End of London. This study looks at the wider Jewish experience to show a more peaceful and tolerant coexistence than has formally been presented, especially to recently arrived Jews. The focus of the thesis is on the different personal experiences of Jews in Britain, against the more familiar high political context of the period. The thesis does not dispute the existence of anti-Semitism, but shows that it was limited to traditional geographical areas and has been in many cases confused with a more general xenophobia towards any âoutsiderâ or âforeignerâ. It also deals with what the study refers to as âpragmaticâ government decisions regarding Jews and highlights some non-Jewish reactions which have
Burkitt, Nicholas Mark
fascism ; Britain ; Jews ; Anti-Semitism ; War ; Refugees
British Society and the Jews : a study into the impact of the Second World War era and the establishment of Israel, 1938-1948. The thesis examines the relationship between Britainâs Jews, both established and refugee, with the host community from 1938 to 1948. The relationship is studied in the light of events in Europe and the Near East from the 1938 Anschluss to the 1948 founding of Israel and the ways they impacted upon Jews in Britain. The work shows a positive reaction towards Jews in Britain, with few, but specific exceptions. Existing academic work has often concentrated on those exceptions, particularly in the East End of London. This study looks at the wider Jewish experience to show a more peaceful and tolerant coexistence than has formally been presented, especially to recently arrived Jews. The focus of the thesis is on the different personal experiences of Jews in Britain, against the more familiar high political context of the period. The thesis does not dispute the existence of anti-Semitism, but shows that it was limited to traditional geographical areas and has been in many cases confused with a more general xenophobia towards any âoutsiderâ or âforeignerâ. It also deals with what the study refers to as âpragmaticâ government decisions regarding Jews and highlights some non-Jewish reactions which have
british_society jews study impact second_world_war era establishment israel examines_relationship britain jews establish refugee host community relationship study light event europe near_east found israel way impact_upon jews britain work show positive reaction towards jews britain specific exception existing academic work often concentrated exception particularly east_end_london study_look wide jewish experience show peaceful tolerant coexistence formally present especially recently arrive jews focus different personal_experience jews britain familiar high political_context period dispute existence anti_semitism show limited traditional geographical_area many_case confuse general towards outsider foreigner also_deal study refers pragmatic government decision regard jews highlight non jewish reaction