User:Josibgrbbn/Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten

Article Draft

Lead

The Reich Federation of Jewish Front-Line Soldiers (German: Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten, RJF) was an organization of German-Jewish soldiers founded in February 1919 by Leo Löwenstein in the aftermath of World War I to demonstrate Jewish loyalty to the former German Empire and German nationalism. The organization advocated for Jewish veteran rights as equal German citizens until they were dissolved in 1938.

History

Represents the deaths of the 10,000 plus German Jewish Soldiers during WWI. Circa 1929 by Max Liebermann

Origin

In 1918, German antisemites claimed that the Jews had stabbed Germany in the back (Dolchstosslegende) by avoiding combat and treating the war as a profiteering opportunity. The rise of this anti-Semetic sentiment in Germany was shown within veteran activities as right-leaning groups began to protest the inclusion of Jews in remembrance services. In response, German-Jewish veterans met in Berlin and formed the Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten in 1919 with Leo Löwenstein as the leader. The RjF would eventually become the 2nd largest Jewish organization in Germany with numbers ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 members. The membership was male-dominated since it was organized by front-line soldiers . The essence of the Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten (RjF) was that a defensive organization. The goal was to organize former Jewish Veterans to defend and portray the sacrifice of themselves and their fallen brothers in arms during World War I as a method to combat antisemitism and the changing political landscape.

Ideology

As a war veterans group, the Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten believed that Jewish war veterans should be honored alongside non-Jewish war veterans from World War I. Throughout the organization's existence, even when the Nazis were in power, the RjF firmly believed in their rights to live in an integrated German society because Jewish citizens had fought and died for Germany. Compared to similar veteran groups at the time, the Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten generally upheld German-nationalist and anti-zionist ideals. However, the political makeup of the RjF is also widely varied comprising both right and left-leaning members. This makeup leads to a complicated ideological makeup in regard to political action. Some members and aspects of the RjF were Zionist in orientation, while others were merely dedicated to the advancement of former German Jewish Soldiers. Due to these differing political orientations, they had members with political beliefs ranging from communism and socialism to right-leaning in line with German society at the time.

Activism

Activism Before the Third Reich

German 1920 poster/leaflet. A Roll of Honor Commemorating the 12,000 German Jews Who Died for their Fatherland in World War I.

Due to the organization's emphasis on Jewish soldier's efforts in the war, the Reichsbund participated in memorial and event planning, as well as the construction of memorials. The RjF also mobilized in a multitude of ways to defend Jewish Veterans, and Jewish rights outright within Germany. In 1932, right before Hitler's rise, The RjF held an event that was attended by many German elite to celebrate the publishing of the Gedenkbuch, a book that listed the combat records of over 10,500 fallen Jewish Soldiers in WWI. Outside of their advocacy, RjF members worked with other veteran groups, even attending lectures by non-Jewish organizations. The Reichsbund also advocated for Jewish sport and agriculture and essentially created a youth league program.

Activism Under Nazi Rule

The RjF knew of the threat of the NSDAP and Hitler and attempted to curb the rise of the Nazis by protesting the political party. Antisemitic policy in 1933 with the rise of Nazi Germany increased and soon the Nazis outlawed Jews from working in the public service, however, World War I veterans were exempt from these policies. The RjF claimed responsibility for this exemption for their members, and continued correspondence with government officials, working to retain rights as German citizens. This was controversial for many German Jews, as there was disagreement as to whether they should integrate into German society or leave Germany, which Zionist groups were in favor of. These early strides by the RjF were not just in protecting Jewish Veterans' rights to work but also their benefits as the RjF in 1933 negotiated with the Nazis to ensure that wounded Jewish veterans would not be treated differently and would maintain their veteran benefits. The RjF also worked to create social activities for members such as sports leagues. The RjF in an attempt to show German patriotism and to have a Jewish presence remain in the German Army petitioned the German Military and Nazi Party up to Hitler to allow the group to form a segregated Jewish Division within the army. Their request was not even acknowledged, but if enacted they would have had enough Jewish soldiers to support more than one unit having an estimated 50,000 potential soldiers for Hitler's Wehrmacht. Ultimately, by 1935 laws were enacted banning Jewish participation in armed forces, signaling the loss of RjF advocacy power. The enactment of the Nuremberg Laws was shocking to its members after advocating for integration into German society. Its activities were outlawed by the Nazi government in 1936, and in 1938 it was dissolved.

Re-founding

This group was reestablished in November 2006, with the name Bund Jüdischer Soldaten. The current group embodies similar goals to the original Reichsbund Jüdischer Frontsoldaten, aiming to recognize and preserve the memory of Jewish war veterans in Germany. They emphasize the remembrance of German-Jewish soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. In response to current global politics, they also express solidarity with Jews in Israel and any attacks they face, specifically condoning attacks from Iran.