Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1927-1961 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
8 files
Context area
Name of creator
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.
Repository
Archival history
GB 1556 WL 609 1927-1961 collection 8 files Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten
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.
Jewish Central Information Office
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.
Chronological according to subject matter.
Open
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.
German
Use microfilm.
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk.
Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
November 2007 Wars (events) Associations Deutscher Makkabikreis Europe European history German history Germany International conflicts Jews Leisure Leisure time activities Löwenstein , Leo , 1879-1956 , German physicist and chemist National history Nazism Organizations Political doctrines Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten x Reich Federation of Jewish Front Soldiers Religious groups Sport Third Reich Totalitarianism War Westdeutscher Landessportverband Western Europe World War One (1914-1918) World wars (events) World War Two (1939-1945) Zionistische Vereinigung für Deutschland
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Jewish Central Information Office
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Chronological according to subject matter.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
German
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Organizations » Associations
- National history » European history
- International conflicts
- Religious groups » Jews
- Leisure
- Leisure time activities
- National history
- Political doctrines » Totalitarianism » Nazism
- Organizations
- Political doctrines
- Religious groups
- Leisure time activities » Sport
- Political doctrines » Totalitarianism
- International conflicts » War
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English