Churchill was right about the Jews
Posted by Ron Coleman on March 10, 2007
Winston Churchill, it turns out, wrote an article in 1937, three years before he started leading Great Britain in which he addressed the wave of anti-Semitism sweeping across Europe and the United States at the time, and which would culminate in the Holocaust. It was withheld from publication — too hot, even for then — even for England. What did the Great Man think was the problem?
The central fact which dominates the relations of Jew and non-Jew is that the Jew is “different.”
He looks different. He thinks differently. He has a different tradition and background. He refuses to be absorbed.
Churchill was right. I agree with everything he says, and so does the Jewish tradition. We may quibble over whether “the Jew” truly “refuses” to be absorbed in a conscious way, or whether instead he cannot be absorbed because he looks, thinks and springs from difference.
In fact Jews have absorbed, millions of them, and to a large extent by choice. In Western Europe alone large portions of the population have Jewish blood coursing through their veins. In America assimilation is a fact. You might also say that the ones who do get absorbed aren’t really Jews any more so they are no longer a “problem.” But the Jews always manage to spring up a stubborn branch of different that indeed will not be absorbed.
That doesn’t justify oppression or prejudice, and Churchill did not, from the excerpt available, attempt to justify it. He just laid it on the line: They’re not like everyone else. To the extent that that gets under peoples’ skin, people are going to lash out. Not because of the difference, though. Because the difference, rather, is a statement that causes resentment. The statement is: We Jews have a special relationship with God.
That riles certain people up. Now, why it does is a good question, since almost every religious group in history, and many national and ethnic groups, have made the same exact claim without getting everybody so angry. William Norman Ewer (not Hillaire Belloc!) wrote:
How odd of God
To choose the Jews
Lots of people understand why it’s not odd. Churchill may not have, but this article doesn’t seem to suggest anything but sympathy, limited by his own class’s attitudes — the suggestion implict, for example, that assimilation would be a good thing. This is an attitude that is as old as the Jews, and certainly beats the alternative. There’s no question that Churchill’s attitude toward the Jews, and Jewish-related questions, was complex (though complexity should not be confused with incoherence) and he was a complex man with a complex set of responsibilities, influences and goals.
But this attitude, and Churchill’s comment, do miss the point: The Jews’ job in this world is to be the Jews.
UPDATE: David Kelsey agrees, down to the choice of picture. Great minds?…
March 11, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Churchill and the Jews
Two of my favorite subjects, and they have a lot in common — outstanding pedigrees, people love ‘em or hate ‘em even as they’re all things to all people, they’re magnificent in failure and in success, they’re outspoken and …
March 11, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I hope very much that you will see past my poor word choices as I try to make a rather delicate and controversial point. No offense is intended …
Undisputedly, Jews are different. That is what is.
Perhaps it is not only the difference that is a problem, although admittedly there are those that will use ANY difference as an excuse for abuse. Maybe, it is the attitude about that difference that grates on some people. There is a difference between saying “I am different” and saying “I am different and better”.
Which is NOT to say that I’m accusing Jews of being arrogant and judgemental. Its much more subtle than that.
Consider that Christians are inclusionary in that its easy (even encouraged) to become a Christian. There is the reality that IF you wanted to become a Christian you’d be welcomed with open arms.
Consider that Jews are exclusionary in that its hard to become a Jew. Not impossible, but hard. Thats just the religious part!
The Jewish situation is further complicated by social obligations. I have many charming outgoing Jewish friends, some of them my friends for more than 20 years. But, as conservative Jews, their world would end before they married a Christian! I understand that is their way of embracing and preserving their identity in a harsh environment.
It’s not them saying “she’s not good enough because she’s not Jewish”, it rather them saying “she’s not appropriate because she’s not Jewish”. That is a fine distinction. Not everyone is going to see that distinction.
I think that Churchill was suggesting that Jews embrace making that distinction clear. I’m not sure exactly HOW that could be done effectively other than by personal experience. Frankly, there just aren’t enough Jews so that everyone can have the personal experience of knowing one! And, if Jewish culture were more open to outsiders there is the danger that it could be diluted to nothing. I see no world-wide solution.
Although, I spectulate that the United States will continue to be a haven. Here, it is possible to assimilate politically without assimilating religiously!
March 11, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Boy, Lucy, I wish that were the problem. Not because we seek converts — we don’t — but then we could have the discussion about why, and what it means to be a Jew, to those who are interested. In fact there is so little interest in becoming an observant Jew I can hardly imagine that this is the issue. In terms of marriage, most non-orthodox Jews these days readily marry out. But we consider intermarriage, quite understandably, both a religious transgression and a blow to continuity of our tiny people.
Your points are well taken, though, and I really appreciate your comments.
March 11, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I am a Christian. I have always loved the Jews. Scripture tells us that they are the apple of G-d’s eye. I have nothing but admiration and praise for their ability to survive persecution and to triumph in establishing and keeping their tiny nation’s borders intact. Here in America, I like that Jews are “different” (as they also are on an Israeli national scale as well). Their difference is more proof of their dedication to the legacy of their faith, scripture, culture, family and traditions. I hope I never live to see the day that the US does not support, defend and treat Israel with sincere friendship.
March 12, 2007 at 4:26 am
Well Judiasm is not an evangelical religion unlike Christianity & Islam which is one of the reasons I like it. I have always felt that there are those who do not like Jews because of their strong emphasis on education and learning. When Christian leaders were saying “all that you need to know is in the Bible,” Jews were learning everything they could get their hands in addition to their religious education. I have always admired that greatly.
Good piece Ron and makes me sad I was unable to grab you to scribble for my blog.
March 12, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Ron,
Can you recommend a history of the ashkenazi in Poland-Lithuania and Russia from the 10th century or so on. I thought Thomas Cahill’s book “The Gifts of the Jews” might be it, but no. A good book, just not about that. (I guess I’m gonna have to start reading those amazon reviews)
March 12, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Have you looked at Paul Johnson’s History of the Jews?
March 12, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I’ll look for it, thanks.
March 16, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Hey, great photo!
Ron, you wrote,
“Lots of people understand why it’s not odd. Churchill may not have, but this article doesn’t seem to suggest anything but sympathy, limited by his own class’s attitudes — the suggestion implict, for example, that assimilation would be a good thing.”
Even if he wrote this, which he did not, it needs to be juxtaposed to his famous support — in the face of tremendous resistance; popular, political, civilian, and military — of the Zionist cause. Clearly Churchill did not wish the Jews to disappear at all. Rather, he wished to see a Jewish homeland — including all of Jerusalem (!!!) — established.
And lest anyone reading this bring up the Palestine White Paper, note that this was absolutely against Churchill’s wishes, and he spoke out against it. Churchill was hated for his frequent and explicit advocacy for the Jews.
November 23, 2007 at 4:32 am
The old man represented Old England–Victorian, proper, religious.
Today that former country is a sewer, where Sovereighn(!) has to approve “girlfriends”(harlots in Winston days)of her Royal “grandsons”(one of whom named smth like Chealsy Davy-LOL!), has to show “respect” for John Elton, imah shmoi,(anti-semite) and John’s pardon me, “partner”
March 20, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Ron, which constitutes a Jew: blood in the veins, or conversion?
April 15, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I’m a jew and proud.
April 16, 2008 at 10:36 am
That reminds me of an old story…
But not one easy to relate.
And so by language men are limited, and by limits most unleashed.
The secret to being different is the same as being best
At being what the other’s not when he is being less’d,
Sometimes it’s better to be not what other men are most
Depending on their inward heart, or what their soul will boast,
There is a grand nobility in being far outcast
If motive is as purity that seeks the fault surpass’d,
One should not claim to ostracize or search to limit men
For vanity in self-diverged is but a common sin,
And if a man demands that he is separate and apart
He may just find that arrogance has settled in his heart,
But if he keeps his distance to assure his soul is clean
Then he has found the better part of wisdom most pristine,
So to your secrets secret men and keep your motives right
Join up fast or stand alone, it is the good man’s plight,
A coward is the kind of man who never joins his mates
And yet there is a bravery that solitude relates,
The secret to being different is the same as being best
The better hold within yourself, the rest you must divest.
July 1, 2008 at 3:36 pm
“Why the Jews?”
Don’t know the answer to that one. Maybe the right people at the right time. But a look at history tells us what God accomplished by choosing a people: raising the bar for the human race.
Without the Hebrews first you don’t get either Christianity or Islam afterwards.
The one thing I think most Jews miss is that the Diaspora was an essential part of God’s plans. You take a bunch of people who want to stick only to themselves like most tribal peoples do, and thrust them into the wider world, where they are forced to interact, forced to share the teachings given to them.
What most everybody misses: anti-Semitism is blaming the messengers.
July 9, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I attended several meetings with Jewish girlfriend.
“Meetings” with your girlfriend? — RDC
I couldn’t take it any more with all the constant whining about anti BS.
“Anti-BS”? — RDC
It was worse than listening to circle of snots arguing over a green 1960’s Tupperware cereal bowl.
Yes, who among us hasn’t had that experience. — RDC
Mission was to learn something, not come out pissed, but the food was great. They have too many award winning desserts.
Who has them? The snots? The Jews? The cereal bowl? — RDC
From now on, leave the whining to private under ground caves, so others can stay to learn.
Where do we find these… caves? — RDC
And the old ladies with the constant, I have the perfect mate for you crap. Must make you guys go nuts.
They do. It is so mean of them! — RDC
Maybe this is what drives main stream comedians.
It does. But maybe you have provided them with some new material! — RDC