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Intersectionality In Ww2

Decent Essays

In an effort to answer the question, “What did it mean to be Jewish in pre Second War Europe?”, historians have categorized eastern and western Europe into a generalized list of characteristics. While not totally invalid, they erase the experiences of unique individuals that do not fit the Eastern or Western “mold”. The memoirs of Henry Buxbaum and Esther embody the need for intersectionality in understanding the Jewish experience in Germany and Poland before the Second World War. In the specific context, religious, national, and gender identities are especially relevant.
Intersectionality is a field of crossroads where one’s various identities make up who they are and impact how they experience life. Two initial identities to consider when looking at the experience of Jews in pre war Europe are those of religious and national ties. In Germany, the Jewish community was generally more culturally integrated and not as devout in their faith. Henry Buxbaum, a doctor from Friedberg, seemed to embody those particular characteristics. Although he was raised …show more content…

It is obvious to say that men and women experience life differently. In this context of Jewish identity in the pre war period, men and women underwent persecution of varying degrees. Within the Jewish community, the number of opportunities made available for men like Buxbaum are vast in comparison to those offered to a young girl like Esther. From the introduction at the beginning of his memoir, it is known that Buxbaum was able to attend Gymnasium, become a soldier, obtain his degree in medicine, and become a practicing doctor by the time he was 30 years old. From a young age, Esther was denied the chance to study, read, and pursue certain subjects, books, or goals because she was a girl. Her options for a career and economic independence were incredibly limited, and she found herself teaching only because she was told she had no other choice as a Jewish

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