What role did Jewish thinkers and activists play in shaping democracy in Germany? A new series of expert interviews from the LBI brings to light remarkable - often nearly forgotten - personalities from the Kaiserreich to the Nazi era.
Through these portraits, the series explores how individual engagement contributed to the development of a more inclusive and just society, highlighting the pivotal influence of Jewish men and women in Germany’s political and social evolution, especially during the Kaiserzeit and the Weimar Republic.
Despite persistent discrimination and rising hostility, Jews were central to progress in almost every sphere, with a notable presence in left-leaning, emancipatory, and democratic movements - often because these groups shared aims of equality, a strong welfare state, and minority inclusion.
These stories demonstrate that a healthy democracy relies not just on robust parliaments but also on a committed civil society willing to stand up for freedom and justice. They remind us that antisemitism threatens not only Jewish communities, but the very fabric of democratic values for all.
The series ‘Civil Engagement and Democracy in German History: Jewish Experiences and Perspectives’, was first published in German as Engagement & Demokratie in der jüdisch-deutschen Geschichte by the Freunde und Förderer des Leo Baeck Instituts as part of the LBI's 70th Anniversary celebrations.
