CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF GERMAN CITIZENS OF JEWISH FAITH

(Centralverein deutscher Staatsburger jüdischen Glaubens)

Founded in 1893 by Raphael Loewenfeld, director of Berlin's*Schillertheater, theCen-tralvereinaimed to combat anti-Semitism* by underscoring the falsity of its allegations. Prosecuting anti-Semites in the courts and assisting in their defeat at the polls, it also worked to strengthen both Jewish and German consciousness while educating Jews* on ways to act that might preclude antagonists from embarrassing them. TheCentralvereinpreserved these activities throughout the Weimar era and convinced numerous intellectuals and political leaders to sign declarations condemning anti-Semitism.Most German Jews, while not paid members, supported theCentralvereinand its activities. Paid membership grew from 45,000 at the end of 1918 to a high of 72,400 in 1924. Shortly before Hitler* assumed power, membership stood at 64,000; this was somewhat more than 10 percent of the total population of Germans of Jewish faith. Only Zionists and some ultra-right-wing Jews spurned theCentralverein sactivities.

Donald Niewyk has highlighted three features of theCentralverein swork: (1) it confronted anti-Semites, via publications such as the weeklyCentral-Verein Zeitung, with a rational expression of the truth; (2) it subsidized efforts by antiracist parties, especially the SPD and the Center Party,* to defeat anti-Semites; and (3) it fostered a sense of security and confidence among Jews. In retrospect, this third feature was tragic. Through superb publications, a team of qualified lawyers, and a vast organization, it provided the false hope that truth, if widely disseminated, surely prevails.