The Kaiser's Jewish Soldiers

Some 100,000 German Jews donned military uniform and approximately 12,000 soldiers died fighting for the German Army between 1914 and 1918. The Holocaust has cast a long shadow over this moment in history, but for many Jews the experience of the First World War was not defined by antisemitism – which was also prevalent in other countries at the time including Britain – but rather by a profound sense of commitment to the German fatherland. The Jewish soldiers whose stories are told in this exhibition had remarkable experiences, performing surgery in Gallipoli, working with casualty dogs in the Ardennes, and setting up book stores on the Eastern Front. The exhibition will explore the lives and legacies of the Jews who served in the German army through the display of striking photographs, postcards, prints and books. The launch will provide first chance to see these materials and hear from the German ambassador Dr Peter Ammon, who will speak about the significance of the Jewish experience of the First World War in Germany today. Dr Toby Simpson, curator of the exhibition, said: “The commitment of German Jews to patriotic ideals during and after the First World War is particularly striking as we look back on this moment in history at a distance of 100 years. The later attempts of the Nazis to distort, and even obliterate the contribution of Jewish soldiers to the First World War make the survival and richness of these collections all the more poignant.” The Library‟s Director, Ben Barkow, said: “The patriotism and attachment to the figure of the Kaiser that characterised so many German Jews - among them Dr Alfred Wiener, the founder of the Library - can appear bewildering to modern eyes, and is certainly poignant in light of subsequent history. Yet their wholehearted commitment to their homeland is fascinating to reflect on as people in Britain debate multi-culturalism and the need for „British values‟ among minority communities. Our exhibition pays tribute to the sacrifice made by Germany‟s Jews, and stimulates us to think about what a successful multi-ethnic society might look like.” The exhibition runs from 24 June to 8 October 2014 To attend the launch, to obtain publicity images or to arrange an interview with Toby Simpson or Ben Barkow contact Neta Lavee at the Wiener Library E: nlavee@wienerlibrary.co.uk T: 0207 636 7247

Suitable for
Any age


Website
http://www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/The%20Kaiser%E2%80%99s%20Jewish%20Soldiers:%20Loyalty,%20Identity,%20Betrayal

Admission
Free

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//am52233?id=EVENT487577