ENGLAND, LIBERALISM AND THE JEWS

Abstract

This roundtable discussion between historians of Anglo-Jewry was held to explore some central issues in that history, and in particular to bring to the surface a debate about the relationship between Englishness, liberalism and the Jews which is implicit in some of the most lively recent research. On the one hand, there are those who see English culture as anti-Semitic and repressive, self-congratulory and hypocritical. Priding itself on its tolerance and its liberalism, it has in fact only accepted Jews on certain conditions and requires their comformism and assimilation. Others argue that English liberalism may be compatible with anti-Semitism but has nevertheless offered Jews opportunities which they could not find elsewhere. That it has not been perfectly tolerant is less important than the fact that it has—at least in recent times—been better than the alternatives. As this discussion showed, the debate turns upon a number of key points: how does one define English culture, and its impact upon British politics? How far do cultural attitudes change over time? Is immigration policy a reliable indicator of more general attitudes towards minorities? And perhaps most importantly of all, how useful is it to assess England as a provider of a home for Jewish life without comparing it with the Jewish experience elsewhere? Participating in the debate were historians David Cesarani, David Feldman, Tony Kushner, Peter Mandler and Bernard Wasserstein. Mark Mazower chaired the discussion.