European University Institute Library

Passing illusions, Jewish visibility in Weimar Germany, Kerry Wallach

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Passing illusions

bibliography

969202267

Kerry Wallach

Social history, popular culture, and politics in Germany

Jewish visibility in Weimar Germany

Weimar Germany (1919-33) was an era of equal rights for women and minorities, but also of growing antisemitism and hostility toward the Jewish population. This led some Jews to want to pass or be perceived as non-Jews; yet there were still occasions when it was beneficial to be openly Jewish. Being visible as a Jew often involved appearing simultaneously non-Jewish and Jewish. Passing Illusions examines the constructs of German-Jewish visibility during the Weimar Republic and explores the controversial aspects of this identity - and the complex reasons many decided to conceal or reveal themselves as Jewish. Focusing on racial stereotypes, Kerry Wallach outlines the key elements of visibility, invisibility, and the ways Jewishness was detected and presented through a broad selection of historical sources including periodicals, personal memoirs, and archival documents, as well as cultural texts including works of fiction, anecdotes, images, advertisements, performances, and films. Twenty black-and-white illustrations (photographs, works of art, cartoons, advertisements, film stills) complement the book's analysis of visual culture. --, Provided by publisher

Passing, covering, revealing -- Methods of projecting and detecting Jewishness -- Coming out as Jewish: print, stage, and screen displays -- Hostile outings: when being seen was undesirable -- Mistaken identifications and nonrecognitions -- German-Jewish passing in comparative contexts