Language:
German
Year of publication:
2004
Titel der Quelle:
Bios; Zeitschrift für Biographieforschung, Oral History und Lebensverlaufsanalysen
Angaben zur Quelle:
17,2 (2004) 147-186
Keywords:
Antisemitism History 1945-
;
Jews History 1945-
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Commemoration
Abstract:
Based on interviews with Hungarian Jews of different ages, describes changes in their sense of identity as Hungarians and Jews after 1945. The communist regime negated expressions of particularism, including Jewish memory of the Holocaust on the one hand and antisemitism on the other. But the fact that the head of the regime, Mátyás Rákosi, and other communist leaders were of Jewish origin fostered an endemic antisemitism which erupted during the revolution of 1956. János Kádár attempted to counter antisemitism by removing Jews from the government and suppressing any expression of Jewish identity. Young Jews grew up knowing nothing about Judaism or the Holocaust. Since 1991, Jews have found their way back to Judaism, and Jewish institutions flourish; but so does antisemitism in the churches and in political parties. Jews welcomed the participation of all sectors of the population in the commemoration of the Holocaust in spring 2004 as long overdue, but were skeptical of the motives. Some felt that the museum dedicated on this occasion would have been more effective in combating antisemitism if it had featured not only the Holocaust but also positive Jewish values and contributions to Hungary.
Note:
Based on interviews.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
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