All Jews are cheap and shrewd in business and all Jews are clannish and stick together

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

Some propaganda on J-Tribe history...

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All Jewish (Jews)  are cheap and shrewd in business and all Jews are clannish and stick together

 

Contents

    1 Description of group targeted by stereotype including location, history, politics, economics, leadership, etc.
    2 What evidence exists that this is a "common? stereotype? Which surveys or other research methods suggest that this is an oft used, relevant stereotype?
    3 Present analysis results that support or refute each of the several assertions in the stereotypes
    4 Important considerations for American teachers.
    5 For those aspects of the stereotype that are mostly true, so what? For those aspects of the stereotype that are mostly false, so what?
    6 Helpful Links
    7 Resources

Description of group targeted by stereotype including location, history, politics, economics, leadership, etc.

Shylock, the infamous Jewish moneylender, in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, is the epitome of the stereotype that all Jews are cheap and shrewd in business. Shakespeare creates a character that best describes this stereotype in his depiction of Shylock. He is perceived as the angered and mistreated Jew that has been wronged by all Christians. This famous quote from Shylock reveals that even though he is a man that may be different from the others, he is still human.

"I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction." (Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, III.i.49–61)


The history of the Jewish religion is important in recognizing the basis of the stereotype that all Jews are cheap and shrewd in business. The stereotype that Jews are clannish, or that they tend to "stick together" also derives from the history of Jewish treatment by other ethnic groups. Judaism is the religion of the Jews. There are an estimated 14 million followers of the Jewish religion around the world. Most of the world's Jews are concentrated in three countries: the United States (six million), Israel (3.7 million), and the Soviet Union (2.5 million). Other nations with significant Jewish populations are France (650 thousand), Great Britain (400 thousand), Canada (300 thousand), Argentina (300 thousand), and Brazil (150 thousand)(http://www.lincolnu.edu/~diverse/pollock/jewish/who.htm).

Judaism was the first religion based on monotheism, the belief in one God. All of the major Western religions found their roots in Judaism. Judaism is a decentralized religion, which means there is not "central authority" governing the religion. Worship traditionally takes place in a synagogue, with a rabbi leading the ceremony and reading from the Torah. Judaism traditionally emphasizes ethical conduct and the treatment of others "as one would wish to be treated themselves." Thus, the doctrine which does exist through written and oral Jewish law is continually being reinterpreted to respond to modern developments (http://www.lincolnu.edu/~diverse/pollock/jewish/who.htm).

The history of Judaism is quite complex, but the central theme is overall unacceptance of a religious race. The Bible describes the history of the Jews beginning with Abraham being the first to evoke the idea of polytheism and the belief in one God. Abraham's son, Isaac, and Isaac's son, Jacob, are also considered to be patriarchs by the Jews. The story of Joseph, one of Jacob's twelve sons, is also found in the Bible. He was sold as a slave to the Egyptians by his own brothers. As a result of a famine, the remainder of Joseph's family resettled in Egypt where they and their descendants lived in peace for several generations. However, in approximately 1580 B.C.E., a new Pharaoh (ruler) in Egypt felt threatened by the Jews as well as other peoples who had settled there, so he made them slaves. In the Book of Exodus, the story of Moses and his liberation of the Jews from Egyptian bondage is told. Moses led the Jews out of Egypt after the Egyptians were afflicted with ten plagues. The Israelites then spent 40 years wandering in the desert under Moses' leadership. While in the desert, Moses ascended Mt. Sinai and, according to tradition, returned with the Ten Commandments from God as well as the Torah. Moses died before the Israelites entered the "Promised Land" of Israel. Once in the "Promised Land" Israelites suffered many wars and defeats, leading them into exile and other problems; however, the Israelites were able to spread their beliefs throughout the world. The Israelites faced many leaders and hardships, but there were times of peace under different rulers (http://www.lincolnu.edu/~diverse/pollock/jewish/who.htm).

In 70 C.E., Jerusalem was conquered by the Romans and made a pagan city. By the fourth century, the Romans embraced the values of Christianity, thus deriving the stereotype that Jews are cheap. Jewish legal rights were restricted. During the first three centuries of Christianity, the issue that separated Jew from Christian was whether Jesus was the true Messiah. By the beginning of the fourth century, Christianity had evolved with customs, rituals and laws far different from Judaism (http://www.lincolnu.edu/~diverse/pollock/jewish/who.htm).
What evidence exists that this is a "common stereotype? Which surveys or other research methods suggest that this is an oft used, relevant stereotype?

Jewish life in the middle Ages was for the most part a story of social and economic isolation, persecution and massacres. Jews were isolated both physically and socially from the fabric of life in the middle Ages and the period following the middle Ages. Yet they filled an important niche. Christianity outlawed usury, the lending of money. Jews were permitted to fill this vacuum by acting as moneylenders and financiers.


Many Jewish stereotypes are understood by viewing history. Jews have been stereotyped as being adept money handlers. In medieval Europe, many governments restricted money handling and money lending to Jews and Arabs, believing them to be practices morally inappropriate for Christians. Entry into many fields was barred to Jews. Those who were competent financiers were most likely to succeed in a society where they were essentially personae non gratae. Jews learned by experience to develop skills in professions dependent on intellectual talents - they became teachers, doctors, lawyers, accountants. In a Europe where Jews were always considered resident-aliens, subject to expulsion or expropriation at the whim of the political class, it made sense to have a livelihood not tied to the ground. A Jew in exile could resume his profession and offer a scarce and valuable service wherever expulsion landed him. These money-handling and intellectual skills often gained favor with political power holders, bringing individual or group protection. Many Jews actually became tax collectors or other government officials and advisors. But it also made Jews hated by enemies of the regime and especially likely to become targets in the event of an overthrow. For much of European history, dangers of popular resentment made it inadvisable for Jews to display any wealth or even evidence of prosperity. The need to flee at a moment's notice made it a bad idea to keep whatever they had accumulated in immobile forms, and more sensible to have it in gold or jewelry (Singer, http://www.fff.org/freedom/0400f.asp). .

In some sense, Jews also appreciated the separation the state exacted upon their people. Because they were separated, Jewish people were able to establish a sense of community among their people. They created their own leadership, schools, buildings, etc. This proliferation of allowed for example the Jewish citizens of Venice to perpetuate and thrive. At first, Jews segregated voluntarily. This was partly for self-protection, but it was perhaps more the result of the requirements of the Jewish religion: to be close to a synagogue and other religious institutions. The concept of segregating Jews involuntarily behind walls was developed in ancient times, but it was not actually implemented as a policy until 1462 in Frankfurt, Germany. The idea caught on in the rest of Europe and became the norm in the 16th century. Unlike its modern 20th century counterpart, the ghetto of 16th century Europe permitted Jews to leave during the day and do their business. While the ghettos permitted Jews to live peacefully, conditions were often crowded and inadequate. However, the isolation of Jews in ghettos had the effect of eliminating assimilation with the host communities, and preserved and enhanced the survival of the Jewish culture. Those governments unwilling even to tolerate Jews who were segregated in ghettos expelled them. At one time or another, all Jews were expelled from England (1290), France (1306 and 1394), Austria (1420), and Spain (1492). There were local expulsions throughout Europe including those in Germany. Some expulsion policies were reversed when governments realized that the Jews served a useful purpose (http://www.lincolnu.edu/~diverse/pollock/jewish/who.htm).

Present analysis results that support or refute each of the several assertions in the stereotypes

The Anti-Defamation League has done a number of studies on Attitudes towards Jews, Israel, and the Palestine-Israel conflict in ten European countries, as well as the United States. The first study was done in 2002 and Europeans were asked four questions about traditional Anti-Semitic stereotypes. These stereotypes were: 1) Jews don't care what happens to anyone but their own kind. 2) Jews are more willing than others to use shady practices to get what they want. 3) Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country. 4) Jews have too much power in the business world. Any person that answered "probably true" to two or more of these stereotypes was believed to harbor Anti-Semitic views. Those same questions were asked in 2004, along with the eleven below.

In addition to those four stereotypes, eleven more were asked at a later date in different countries within Europe. These stereotypes were: 1) Jews don't care what happens to anyone but their own kind. 2) Jews are more willing than others to use shady practices to get what they want. 3) Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country. 4) Jews have too much power in the business world. 5) Jews have lots of irritating faults. 6) Jews stick together more than other Italians (Spanish, Dutch, Swiss, Austrians, etc.) 7) Jews always like to be at the head of things. Jews have too much power in international financial markets. 9) Jews have too much power in our country today. 10) Jewish business people are so shrewd that others do not have a fair chance to compete. 11) Jews are just as honest as other business people. (Considered prejudiced). If a person answers "probably true" to six or more statements, they are considered Anti-Semitic.

Studies found that in 2004, 36% of Germans harbored Anti-Semitic views, while Switzerland was at 17%, Austria 17%, Italy 15%, and the Netherlands 9%. France actually decreased its views from 35% in 2002, to 25% in 2004, but the United Kingdom went from 18% in 2002, to 24% in 2004.

In nine out of the ten countries surveyed, a plurality of respondents agree with the characterization that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their own country. A majority of respondents in Spain, 53 percent, believe that "Jews have too much power in the international financial markets.�? Nearly half of Spanish respondents, 47 percent, believe that "Jews have too much power in the business world.�? 30 percent of Swiss and Germans respondents think it is "probably true�? to say that "Jews don't care what happens to anyone but their own kind.�? 30 percent of Spanish respondents believe that "Jews always like to be at the head of things.�?

Surprisingly, the study showed that 73% of Italians and 70% of Austrians believe that Jews are more likely to stick together. 26% of Spaniards believe that Jews are so shrewd in business that others do not have a fair chance to compete. However, 75% of Dutch believed that Jews are just as honest as other business people.

To view the complete survey, http://www.adl.org/anti_semitism/europe ... l_2004.pdf

In the United States, The Anti-Defamation League released a survey in June 2002, stating that fully 17 percent of the U.S. population holds beliefs that are "strongly anti-Semitic." The report also said that 35 percent of Latinos and 35 percent of African-Americans were "strongly anti-Semitic." Americans were asked about the same eleven stereotypes as the European countries. (http://slate.msn.com/?id=2067854)

A study in 1998 showed there was a strong correlation between education and Anti-Semitic views in the United States. Basically, the more educated one is, the less likely to hold Anti-Semitic views. =Anti-Semitic beliefs are most likely to be found among older Americans (those over age 65), and among those with no college education. African-Americans continue to be significantly more likely than white Americans to hold anti-Jewish beliefs. As with whites, education level is the most important factor affecting the attitudes of blacks toward Jews. Among those blacks without any college education, 43% fall into the most anti-Semitic group. This number drops to 27% among African-Americans with some college experience, and stands at 18% among blacks with a four-year college degree. The most anti-Semitic Americans tend to have less day-to-day contact with Jews than does the rest of the population. (http://www.adl.org/antisemitism_survey/survey_iii.asp)

In 1998, 57% of Americans believed that Jews stuck together more than Americans. 16% believed they had too much power in the business world, but 90% stated that Jews were just as honest as other business people.

To view the complete survey, http://www.adl.org/antisemitism_survey/ ... otypes.asp
Important considerations for American teachers.

This topic of Jews in business and even Jews in history cannot be taken lightly. It is important to present stereotypes like these to students because the Jews play such a significant role in history and World War II. Therefore, educating students that these stereotypes are very old and today uncommon, is important. It would be dangerous to assume that with improper education, people could believe that the mass genocide of the Jewish population was necessary.

It is also important as educators to be aware that these Anit-Semitic views still exist and within different races and ethnic groups. As studies show, older, less educated Americans hold stronger Anti-Semitic views. It is the job of educators to properly teach about Jewish history in order for students and the youth of America to not hold such strong beliefs against Jews.
For those aspects of the stereotype that are mostly true, so what? For those aspects of the stereotype that are mostly false, so what?

Whether or not these stereotypes present themselves as being true or false, there are many historical facts that must be brought to light when discussing these two stereotypes.

First of all, Jews became the money handlers and money lenders in the middle Ages when Christians were not allowed to be money lenders. Christians saw this as a perfect opportunity for Jews because the Jews could lend them money and it was not against the law. Since the many of the Jewish population went into this trade, they eventually were seen as cheap and shrewd. Were they often cheated, perhaps? Was there no trust between the two religions?

Before World War II, many Jews held respectable jobs throughout Europe, such as money lenders, business owners, and shop keepers. The Aryan views of many Europeans, with the help of political leaders, forced Jews to give up these jobs and find other jobs, or attempt to live and support families jobless. Europeans were also threatened if caught doing business with any Jews. Eventually the businesses of these prominent Jews became nonexistent because of the soon to come mass genocide of the Jewish population.

Second, Jews developed clans and stuck together for one reason-persecution. Throughout the history of the Jewish population, they were constantly exiled and treated unfairly because they were different. After being exiled, is a group going to be allowed to reside with other ethnic groups? No. The Jews stuck together because they were forced to and most of the time had no other choice but to form ghettos and live in small quarters.

During World War II, Jews were forced into ghettos (often enclosed) and lived under miserable conditions. The Germans did this in order to control and segregate the Jews. The Nazis had created over 400 ghettos and due to such horrible conditions, disease and death spread rapidly. By 1942, all the ghettos were dissolved and the remaining Jews were sent to concentration, labor, or death camps. Would this not force a group to stick together and trust only themselves? How can it be said that being clannish is a stereotype when they were forced to live that way?
Helpful Links

Anti-Defamation League http://www.adl.org/

Wikipedia on Anti-Semitism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Semitism
Resources

Anti-Defamation League. (April, 2004). Attitudes toward Jews, Israel and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in Ten European Countries. Retrieved July 20, 2005 from http://www.adl.org/anti_semitism/europe ... l_2004.pdf.

Anti-Defamation League. (November 1998). Declining Acceptance of Nearly All Anti-Jewish Stereotypes. Retrieved July 20, 2005 from http://www.adl.org/antisemitism_survey/survey_ii.asp

Singer, J. (2000). Making sense of Jewish stereotypes. Retrieved July 15, 2005 from http://www.fff.org/freedom/0400f.asp.

Who are the Jews? Retrieved July 15, 2005 from http://www.lincolnu.edu/~diverse/pollock/jewish/who.htm.

http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/All_Je ... k_together

[abduLMaria]

Some propaganda on J-Tribe history...

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All Jewish (Jews)  are cheap and shrewd in business and all Jews are clannish and stick together

we had a neighbor where i grew up in Connecticut.  we weren't exactly hoodlums - sort of upper middle class.

one of the neighbors was Jewish.  would never talk to us, much less hang out with us.  no football, no walking around smoking cigs, none of the usual teen stuff.  that neighbor's name was Schiff.

we knew they were Jewish, but we didn't dislike them because they were Jewish - we disliked them because their son, who was our age, refused to hang out with us.  his parents gave him a 240Z, which at the time was The Car to Have ... the only time we saw him was when he drove by in the Z.

to show our displeasure, we may have resorted to some mischief, like blowing up their mailbox.  but it wasn't because they were Jewish - it's because they pretended they didn't have any neighbors.  i.e., because of their clannishness.

[xtiml]

using the bible as reference is idiocy,using jew soursces is fanciful and this article is irrelavant and banal.