IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 1556 WL 609
Held at: Wiener Library
Title: Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten: correspondence and papers (microfilm)
Date(s): 1927-1961
Level of description: collection
Extent: 8 files
Name of creator(s): Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten (RjF) was founded in 1919 to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism during the First World War. From the outset it was both a defence organisation and a veterans' association. It endeavoured to be apolitical but was regarded as assimilationist when compared with other Jewish organisations such as the Zionist Centralverein. It became the second largest German Jewish organisation with 30-40,000 membership at its peak, publishing its own fortnightly newspaper, Der Schild.
By 1924, at its national congress the RjF resolved to include physical training for the young. Athletics and, in particular, boxing were promoted, the latter as a form of self-defence and a means to counter the claim that Jews were weak and cowardly.
As anti-Semitism increased during the Weimar years, links with other non-Jewish veterans' associations decreased. By the time the Nuremberg race laws had been brought into force, any privileges that the Reichsbund might have enjoyed, by virtue of members' service to the fatherland, were gone.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of the Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten, 1927-1961, including correspondence, circulars and papers of the activities of the Westdeutscher Landessportverband which was affiliated to the Sportbund im Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten notably on boxing, tennis and football, the activities of the organisation, and the relationship with other bodies such as the Zionistische Vereinigung für Deutschland and the Deutscher Makkabikreis. Letter from Leo Löwenstein regarding the fallen Jewish soldiers of World War One; press cuttings on fallen Jewish soldiers of World War One, (1930s) and obituaries of Leo Löwenstein. Circulars and other papers of the Sportbund des Reichsbundes jüdischer Frontsoldaten. Issue of Der Schild, 28 Sep 1933.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: German
System of arrangement:
Chronological according to subject matter.
Conditions governing access:
Open
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.
Physical characteristics:
Use microfilm.
Finding aids:
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Jewish Central Information Office
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.
Date(s) of descriptions: November 2007