Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens
Encyclopedia
The Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens (Central Association of German Citizens of Jewish Faith, Central Verein, CV) was founded by German
Jewish intellectuals on 26 March 1893 in Berlin
, with the intention of opposing the rise of Anti-Semitism
in the German Empire
. Shortly after its founding it had 1,420, and in 1926 approximately 60,000 members.
The CV’s aim was to unify German citizens of Jewish faith
, to fight for the Jews' rights as citizens and to combat rising Anti-Semitism. Commitment to the German Nation was an important part of the CV's agenda - the members saw themselves primarily as German citizens with their own religion. Consequently, the CV repudiated Zionism
.
Beginning in 1922, the CV published a weekly newspaper, called “C.V.-Zeitung” (C.V.-Newspaper) and continued fighting the rising Anti-Semitic threat. Through publications and conversations with the President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg
and economic leaders the CV tried to call attention to the threat.
In 1928 the “Büro Wilhelmstrasse” (Wilhelmstrasse Office) was created with instrumental support of Alfred Wiener
. It documented Nazi
activities and issued anti-Nazi materials until 1933, when Hitler came to power. During the Nazi era, the CV was forced to change its name several times. From 1936 onwards it was called “Jüdischer Central Verein” (Jewish Central Association). After the Kristallnacht
(Night of Broken Glass or November Pogrom) in 1938 the CV had to stop publishing its newspaper and the association was prohibited a short time later.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Jewish intellectuals on 26 March 1893 in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, with the intention of opposing the rise of Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
in the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
. Shortly after its founding it had 1,420, and in 1926 approximately 60,000 members.
The CV’s aim was to unify German citizens of Jewish faith
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, to fight for the Jews' rights as citizens and to combat rising Anti-Semitism. Commitment to the German Nation was an important part of the CV's agenda - the members saw themselves primarily as German citizens with their own religion. Consequently, the CV repudiated Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
.
Beginning in 1922, the CV published a weekly newspaper, called “C.V.-Zeitung” (C.V.-Newspaper) and continued fighting the rising Anti-Semitic threat. Through publications and conversations with the President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg
Paul von Hindenburg
Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg , known universally as Paul von Hindenburg was a Prussian-German field marshal, statesman, and politician, and served as the second President of Germany from 1925 to 1934....
and economic leaders the CV tried to call attention to the threat.
In 1928 the “Büro Wilhelmstrasse” (Wilhelmstrasse Office) was created with instrumental support of Alfred Wiener
Alfred Wiener
Alfred Wiener was a German Jew, who dedicated much of his life to documenting antisemitism and racism in Germany and Europe, and uncovering crimes of Germany's Nazi government...
. It documented Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
activities and issued anti-Nazi materials until 1933, when Hitler came to power. During the Nazi era, the CV was forced to change its name several times. From 1936 onwards it was called “Jüdischer Central Verein” (Jewish Central Association). After the Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, and also Reichskristallnacht, Pogromnacht, and Novemberpogrome, was a pogrom or series of attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on 9–10 November 1938.Jewish homes were ransacked, as were shops, towns and...
(Night of Broken Glass or November Pogrom) in 1938 the CV had to stop publishing its newspaper and the association was prohibited a short time later.
External links
- CV on isbndb.com