A Social Psychiatrist Looks at Antisemitism and Jewish Identity

Abstract

Like many other mammalian species, humans usually belong to more than one major social subgroup and, simultaneously, to a number of minor groups. Jewish identity is one of the major groups. The changing characteristics of Jewish identity over time are described. One of its most powerful determinants is the insistence of the outside world that the Jewish people are a distinct group. Historical factors preserving Jewish identity include religious observance, ghettoization, a sense of “chosenness,” and, arising from rabbinic Judaism, an almost relentless pursuit of education and achievement – a by-product of which has been a huge body of scientific, musical, artistic, and literary contributions in the last two centuries. In the future, it appears that religious observance will not be effective in preserving Jewish identity for the great majority of modern Jews. The existence of an ethical and creative State of Israel coupled with thoroughgoing Jewish education and communal activities in the Diaspora might work – especially if Jews continue to be told that they are Jews by the majority populations among whom they live. Assimilation is the major agent that weakens Jewish identity. Antisemitism, in turn, is the major agent that weakens assimilation.