Bavaria's Troubling History Of Anti-Semitism

Is Bavaria antisemitic? It's a question that has been asked for decades, and one that has come to the fore again in recent months following an antisemitism scandal involving the region's deputy leader, Hubert Aiwanger. Aiwanger has been accused of writing an antisemitic leaflet mocking the Holocaust as a schoolboy, and while he denies authorship, he has admitted to having the leaflet in his possession at the time. This scandal has caused uproar in the lead-up to a crucial state election, and has shone a light on the presence of antisemitic feeling among the region's population. But is this a new issue, or has antisemitism been a part of Bavaria's history?

Anti-Jewish signs and leaflets in Bavaria

Anti-Semitic signs and leaflets have been a feature of Bavaria, and wider German society, for many years. In 1937, Julien Bryan, an American photographer, captured an image of a sign in Bavaria that read: "Jews are not wanted here". Bryan recounted how he saw similar signs "all through central and southern Germany".

In his lectures, Bryan described how he spoke to local people about the signs, and they "rather laughed about it all and not too pleasantly, and they denied having anything to do with it". The signs were displayed in public areas, and so would have been seen by citizens every day. This raises questions about the involvement of citizens and officials in public discrimination. Who created and approved the content of these signs?

In more recent times, anti-Semitic leaflets have continued to be distributed in Bavaria. In 2023, German police investigated the distribution of leaflets in the town of Markt Schwaben, Bavaria, which called for the "elimination of all Jews". The leaflets were placed in private mailboxes and contained a range of conspiracy theories, including blaming the COVID-19 pandemic on a Jewish plot. The violent message of the leaflets was a primary concern for police and analysts.

Anti-Semitic sculptures in Bavarian churches

The German state of Bavaria has decided to leave medieval anti-Semitic sculptures on churches, a move that has sparked controversy. The sculptures, known as "Judensau," or "Jew pig," depict Jews suckling the teats of a sow while a rabbi lifts the animal's tail. Authorities, churches, and Jewish communities in Bavaria have agreed that these sculptures should remain in place but be accompanied by explanations that provide context and a warning against anti-Semitism.

There are around a dozen of these relics in Bavaria, including one on the cathedral in Regensburg. The decision to keep them in place has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that they are a form of anti-Semitic propaganda, while others claim that removing them from their context would make it difficult to explain their historical significance.

The Bavarian government's point man against anti-Semitism, Ludwig Spaenle, has stated that the sculptures should be explained "visibly and easily recognizably" and that removing them might cause them to lose their function as a warning against anti-Semitism. This decision comes amid a dispute about a similar sculpture elsewhere in Germany, which a Jewish man has been trying to remove from a church in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther once preached.

The plaintiff in the Wittenberg case argues that the sculpture is "a defamation of and insult to the Jewish people" and has suggested moving it to a nearby museum. The case has been rejected by an appeals court and is now being heard by a federal court.

The presence of these sculptures in Bavarian churches serves as a reminder of the historical anti-Semitism that has persisted in the region for centuries. While the decision to keep them in place may be controversial, it also provides an opportunity to educate people about the dangers of anti-Semitism and the importance of tolerance and cultural understanding.

The Nazi movement and its spread from Bavaria

The Nazi movement emerged in Bavaria in the early 20s, following the expulsion of most East European Jews from the region. The Nazi Party, then still small, attempted to take over the Bavarian government in 1923 in what became known as the Beer Hall Putsch. The attempt failed, but the party continued to gain support in the region, winning a major victory in the 1932 election.

The Nazi regime targeted Jews, Roma, disabled people, and other groups, and Bavaria was no exception. The first concentration camp was established in Dachau, and many Jews from Germany and other European countries perished there. The Nazis also banned Jewish ritual slaughter in Bavaria in 1931.

The Nazi movement spread from Munich and Nuremberg, causing the depopulation of many Bavarian villages. Kristallnacht in 1938 further fueled the widespread antisemitic agitation in the region.

Bavaria had a significant Jewish population before the rise of the Nazi movement. By the 20th century, Jews had considerable holdings in department stores and some branches of industry. After World War I, a number of Jews were active in the revolutionary government of Bavaria, which was headed by a Jew, Kurt Eisner. However, a new wave of antisemitism emerged after the war, fueled by the National Socialist Movement.

The history of Bavaria and its relationship with the Nazi movement is complex and multifaceted. While the region witnessed the rise of Nazism and suffered from its devastating consequences, it also had a history of Jewish settlement and contributions.

The role of the CSU in protecting Jews

While I could not find explicit information on the CSU's role in protecting Jews, I did find some information on the CSU's involvement in addressing antisemitism.

The CSU, or Colorado State University, has taken steps to address antisemitism and foster a more inclusive environment for its Jewish community. The university has implemented an Action Plan for the Prevention of Antisemitism, which includes improving hate and bias incident reporting procedures, offering support for those impacted by antisemitism, and providing training and education on antisemitism and Jewish diversity. Additionally, the CSU has agreed to hire additional faculty specializing in Jewish Studies to encourage Jewish inclusion and promote knowledge of Jewish culture and traditions. The university also plans to open a physical Jewish Diversity Center on campus. These measures demonstrate CSU's commitment to creating a more welcoming and safe space for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

In a separate case, the California State University (CSU) system acknowledged the importance of Zionism to Jewish identity and took steps to protect the rights of Jewish and pro-Israel students. In the Volk v. Board of Trustees case, CSU agreed to a settlement that included issuing a statement recognizing Zionism as an integral part of Jewish identity and taking steps to improve the campus climate for Jewish students. This settlement also required the hiring of a coordinator for Jewish Student Life and the allocation of funds towards educational outreach efforts to promote viewpoint diversity. These actions by CSU contribute to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students within the CSU system.

The impact of antisemitism on Jewish life in Bavaria

Antisemitism has had a profound and devastating impact on Jewish life in Bavaria, a region in southern Germany. With a long history of Jewish settlement dating back to the 10th century, Bavaria has been a centre of Jewish scholarship and trade. However, centuries of antisemitism, including violent persecutions, expulsions, and massacres, have disrupted and devastated Jewish communities in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of antisemitism in Bavaria occurred during the First Crusade in 1096, when Jewish communities in Bamberg and Regensburg were attacked. This was followed by further attacks during the Second Crusade in 1146-47, targeting communities in Aschaffenburg, Wuerzburg, and Nuremberg. In 1276, Jews were expelled from Upper Bavaria, and in 1285, 180 Jews were burned at the stake in Munich following a blood libel. The 14th century saw further catastrophes for Bavarian Jewry, with communities destroyed and many Jews fleeing the region.

Antisemitic sentiment and violence continued to flare up in Bavaria over the centuries, often coinciding with political and social unrest. In the 19th century, antisemitic disorders and anti-Jewish riots led to waves of Jewish emigration from Bavaria to the United States. The rise of the National Socialist Movement in the region during the interwar period brought another wave of antisemitism, culminating in the Nazi movement that spread from Munich and Nuremberg and resulted in the depopulation of Jewish communities and the establishment of the first concentration camp at Dachau, where countless Jews perished.

Even after World War II, antisemitism persisted in Bavaria, with neo-Nazi demonstrations, antisemitic propaganda, and hate speech targeting Jewish communities. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of right-wing extremism and antisemitic sentiment in the region, with political scandals and increasing incidents of hate speech and threats against Jews, causing concern and unease among the Jewish community.

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