
In 1909, the Berlin-based Jüdische Turnzeitung (Jewish Gymnastics Newspaper) published a commemorative pamphlet titled ‘Physical Renaissance of the Jews’ to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Bar Kochba gymnasts’ club and the 4th Sports Day of Jewish Gymnasts. This illustrated publication highlights the diversity of topics discussed at the Higher Institute for Jewish Studies.
The rise of German-Jewish gymnastic clubs like Bar Kochba was both a response to Jewish exclusion from German clubs and an effort to foster a unique German-Jewish community. Physical fitness was a political statement challenging antisemitic prejudices about the ‘Jewish body’ in Imperial Germany.
This publication is particularly interesting in the British context as it includes texts and photographs of Jewish gymnasts in England and America.
The item is on permanent loan to the Leo Baeck College Library from the Judaica Conservancy Foundation and can be fully accessed here.
See the original item on display at our pop-up exhibition at the Wiener Holocaust Library, 29 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DP, from 6 June 2024 to 10 July 2024, Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm.