The Definition of Anti-Semitism by Kenneth L. Marcus

Excerpt

The Definition of Anti-Semitism by Kenneth L. Marcus makes a significant contribution to scholarly literature on racism, discrimination, prejudice, bigotry, and hatred directed toward Jews. It is a timely intervention given the ongoing and well-documented increase in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world. Marcus states: “Anti-Semitic ideologies are articulated in different ways, depending on the needs they satisfy…” (56). In his book, we learn about what makes anti-Semitism distinctive—including its endless mutability and capaciousness which sustains many contradictions. Jews are historically attacked for being both capitalists and communists, rootless cosmopolitans and narrow-minded nationalists, excessively wealthy and miserly in their wealth, and impoverished and allegedly deserving of this poverty. Jealousy and resentment for perceived successes—financial, educational, social, political, and otherwise—are a particular feature of anti-Semitism. …