German-Jewish And National-Jewish [Zionist] Viewpoints
A Debate held between Dr. Ludwig Hollaender and Kurt Blumenfeld
Source : C.V Zeitung , 20 February 1931
As part of the series of debates arranged at the Free Jewish School, an evening was organised last Monday under the title of;German-Jewish 'German-Jewish National Jewish Viewpoints;. Viewpoints'. Hollaender and Kurt Blumenfeld were asked to present their views. Following previous evenings in which various questions of internal Jewish politics were discussed, this evening aimed to elaborate on the intellectual controversy between the two major Jewish schools of thought. The large audience proved that this is of interest to wide circles… The meeting, chaired by Rabbi Dr. Max Wiener, was opened by a short introduction by Kurt Blumenfeld. He defined the national-Jewish viewpoint, which he represented, as the recognition that a Jewish question exists in the world. The Jews, he argues, have a common fate in all the countries of the world. Several decades ago there was still the belief that by emigrating to better countries one could avoid Jewish misery. But today it is well known: The Jews carry the Jewish problem with them wherever they go. In the transition from the individual to the group, Jews have also come to realise that they are unable to flee from themselves, that they are a group. Separating oneself from the group is only possible by sacrificing every last bit of one's Jewishness. Many attempts have been made for partial solutions to the problem, by relinquishing an absolute "stable" condition and attempting to compromise the Jewish situation, to reach an endurable relationship with the environment.The struggle for equal rights is possible only if based upon a Jewish-national viewpoint. My adversary will always struggle only for equal rights for Jews of a certain quality, not for the Jews as Jews. Their methods are naturally connected to tactics and opportunism. They are constantly concerned about the anti-Semites. Only the Jewish-national standpoint enables a true impartiality and inner certitude. The other side speaks not of a people, but of a community with a common fate. If one recognises the existence of a common fate, the question arises whether one wants to share this fate and mould it in common. Dr. Ludwig Hollaender, in his description of the German-Jewish viewpoint, claimed that Blumenfeld may have depicted the situation as it ought to be, but not as it actually is. An examination of the situation as it exists is essential. Blumenfeld's very assumption that a world Jewish problem exists can be questioned… If one wishes to reach a true clarification of the problem…one needs to abandon an angle that may seem logical, but is in fact one-sided and does not conform with the facts of life. The same is true for a detailed examination of the so called "world problem". The situation of Jews in different countries is very diverse and one cannot speak of a common situation if one goes into detail. However, the attempt to define everything in one uniform formula fails once one examines the ties of the individual Jew to Judaism. These ties are not all religious. There are wide circles in Judaism, which reject religion or are indifferent to it, but who are aware of their Jewish origin and who feel the bonds to Judaism because of their origin, even though these feelings cannot be defined with precision. This is the common starting point of the community with a common fate, and it is now up to the individual to decide how to define his commitment to the Jewish community. It is here that the road splits. The national-Jewish side focuses on the national and political aspect. On the other side is the viewpoint that emphasises the spiritual aspects - the uniqueness of Judaism and its infinitely deep links to the spiritual, moral values of mankind. The Jewish community, which gave birth to the noble ideas of equality of mankind, monotheism, and justice, is committed to a divine mission to spread these ideas among mankind… Moreover, even the examination of political issues shows that it is impossible to reach a solution by seemingly logical ways. German Jews' integration into their environment results in problems, which even the Zionists cannot deny. This is obvious in the internal debates within Zionism… The two speakers' introductions were followed by elaboration on specific questions. The profusion of viewpoints that emerged can be grouped into the following basic problems: Blumenfeld claimed that Judaism was losing its meaning because of the constant necessity to heed practical concerns and tactical considerations. Hollaender responded that this was the essence of political work, which necessitated certain priorities…. The substantial core of Judaism, however, was left untouched. Even if it were possible to have one spot on earth - Palestine for example - where one was to focus less on tactical questions than in the countries of the Diaspora, this would be only a partial solution. The majority of Jews live in the Diaspora and have to deal with this problem….
