Full Description
The phenomenon of national identities, always a key issue in the modern history of Bohemian Jewry, was particularly complex because of the marginal differences that existed between the available choices. Considerable overlap was evident in the programs of the various national movements and it was possible to change one's national identity or even to opt for more than one such identity without necessarily experiencing any far-reaching consequences in everyday life. Based on many hitherto unknown archival sources from the Czech Republic, Israel and Austria, the author's research reveals the inner dynamic of each of the national movements and maps out the three most important constructions of national identity within Bohemian Jewry - the German-Jewish, the Czech-Jewish and the Zionist. This book provides a needed framework for understanding the rich history of German- and Czech-Jewish politics and culture in Bohemia and is a notable contribution to the historiography of Bohemian, Czechoslovak and central European Jewry.
Contents
Illustrations
Acknowledgements
A note on personal and place names
Abbreviations
Map of Czechoslovakia and the Bohemian Lands
Introduction
Chapter 1. The basic features of the Jewish community in Prague and in Bohemia
Chapter 2. Jews as a national minority in the new republic
Chapter 3. German Jews
Chapter 4. Czech-Jews
Chapter 5. Zionists
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
