|
|
Article: Before the Holocaust.(Review)
- Article from:
- The Evening Standard (London, England)
- Article date:
- March 3, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: NORMAN LEBRECHT
Despite their enormous contribution to German culture, the country's Jews were never truly integrated
THE PITY OF IT ALL: A portrait of Jews in Germany, 1743-1933 by Amos Elon (Allen Lane, u25)
TWICE in the 2,000 years of their dispersion, the Jews drew so close to another culture that pollination took place and a golden age ensued.
The first contiguity occurred in 13th century Spain, where an unusually benign monarchy encouraged Talmudists to write romantic poetry and bishops to translate Maimonides and Ibn Gabirol into canonical Latin, melding two theologies.
The second convergence arose in 19th ...