NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT EXHIBITION

10-18-2012

 

 

 

BEYOND SWASTIKA AND JIM CROW:

JEWISH REFUGEE SCHOLARS AT BLACK COLLEGES

January 15, 2012 – June 2, 2013

 

 

 

Philadelphia, PA – Oct. 18, 2012 –America’s Jewish and African American communities have a shared history of collaboration around civil rights and advocacy on behalf of minority groups, but little is known about the remarkable story of inter-racial cooperation that took place in the 1930s at historically black colleges.  This story of empathy is explored in the National Museum of American Jewish History’s upcoming exhibition, Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars At Black Colleges.  The exhibition shows how Jewish refugees and African-American students navigated the challenges of life in the segregated south and supported one another as they searched for freedom and opportunity, efforts that informed and inspired the early years of Civil Rights movement.

 

Slated to open in time to celebrate both Martin Luther King Day and African-American History Month, Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow illustrates a little-known story of hope, struggle, and affirmation that many Americans may not be familiar with, a story that had a major impact on small Southern communities.  “I can’t imagine a more appropriate way to illustrate this uplifting example of the connection between the African American and Jewish communities in this country,” says Ivy L. Barsky, Museum Director and CEO.  “And it’s a story that most have never heard. As a result, the exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to build bridges in the community and collaborate with Philadelphia’s African American Museum and other colleague organizations, and tease out the stories of courage, of leadership, and of the power of good mentoring relationships.”

 

“It also provides a wonderful opportunity to collaborate on a project that touches deeply the hearts of both communities,” said Romona Briscoe, Executive Director of the African American History Museum of Philadelphia.

 

Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow tells the story of Jewish academics from Germany and Austria who were dismissed from their teaching positions in the 1930s. In early 1933, before the Nazis began dismissing Jews from their posts, more than 12 percent of faculty members at German universities were Jewish. While top academics like Albert Einstein were in demand at prestigious universities, lesser-known professors had a much more difficult time finding teaching positions in the United States. The country was still in a depression, and unemployment, xenophobia, and antisemitism were prevalent. As anti-Jewish actions in Germany escalated, several organizations, including the Emergency Committee in Aid of Displaced Foreign Scholars, worked to obtain positions for the exiled scholars. Of the several hundred refugee scholars who came to this country, more than 50 of them found positions at historically black colleges. “This exhibition greatly expands our understanding of the relationship between American Jews and African-Americans” states Josh Perelman, NMAJH’s Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions and Collections.  “It illustrates the continually evolving struggle for freedom on a very human and very touching level.”

 

more…

 

 

 

ADD 1/ National Museum of American Jewish History Announces Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow

 

The refugee scholars who found work at black colleges were often more comfortable in the black environment than their peers at white universities who faced prejudice at their jobs. Some professors, such as Ernst Borinski and Ernst Manasse, felt a deep connection to black students, and spent the rest of their careers at the historically black colleges. Borinski was even buried on the campus of Tougaloo.  His tombstone reads, “Ernst Borinski, Inspiring Teacher.” Educator, author, and civil rights veteran, Dr. Joyce Ladner, said of Professor Borinski (whom the students affectionately called Bobo) that he had “an affinity with blacks because they experienced a similar persecution.” 

The mutual respect the students and professors felt for each other later resulted, in some cases, in the refugee professors getting involved in the Civil Rights movement officially or unofficially. For instance, Prof. Borinski was identified as a “race agitator” for promoting integration both on and off campus. He wanted
[Back to Press Releases Main]