Looking for an Enemy: 8 Essays on Antisemitism

by Jo Glanville (Editor)

Great Jewish thinkers offer salient historical commentary on the roots of antisemitism and its contemporary resurgence. From medieval accusations that Jews murder Christians for their blood to the far-right conspiracy theories animating present-day political discourse, it’s clear that the belief that Jews are plotting against society never dies―it just adapts to suit the times. In eight illuminating essays from brilliant Jewish writers and thinkers, Looking for an Enemy offers an urgent, profound take on the experience of antisemitism and its historical context. In order to present a nuanced, global understanding of antisemitism, editor Jo Glanville solicited essays from writers across a wide spectrum of ages, political ideologies, and nationalities. American rabbi Jill Jacobs and respected Israeli historian Tom Segev explore the thorny question of antisemitism in politics. British journalist Daniel Trilling investigates how antisemitism drives far-right extremism, while author Philip Spencer rethinks the forms that antisemitism takes on the left. Polish writer Mikolaj Grynberg reflects on a childhood shadowed by the trauma of the Holocaust; journalist Natasha Lehrer and novelist Olga Grjasnowa explore the culture of antisemitism, and the forces behind it, in France and Germany. In her own contribution, Glanville searches for the historical roots of this dangerous hatred. In moving memoir, rich history, and incisive political commentary, these essays navigate the complex differences in each country’s relationship to its Jewish citizens and reveal the contemporary face of antisemitism. Eye-opening and evocative, Looking for an Enemy explores how an irrational belief can still flourish in a supposedly rational age.

Genres: Jewish, Essays, Nonfiction, History, Politics, Antisemitism

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling and thought-provoking addition to the stream if recent works on the world’s oldest hatred. I appreciate the diversity of contexts and viewpoints from which the editor has gathered the material here. It’s yet another sad reminder of the perniciousness of antiSemitism

[Alex Go · Rating 4 out of 5]

The existence of antisemitism has always been a bit confusing to me. Every other form of racism that I knew of was one group of people believing that they are superior to another, and oppressing or discriminating because of that superiority. But the idea of a global conspiracy, a secret cabal of ritual killings and sacrifice, or a group of people coordinating across borders to control the world's elite? I didn't know how people come up with this stuff.

These 8 essays were really helpful in understanding not just the emergence and origins of this form of racism, but also how it occurs in society in this day and age. It is especially surprising to hear about institutionalized antisemitism still present in the world today. I can believe that some people are bigoted or malicious, but governments and societies--this was good to learn.

Poland, France, UK, Germany, US, Israel. The essays stem from a wide variety of nations and time periods. Good primer on the topic.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Anti-Defamation League audit noted that “antisemitic incidents reached an all-time high in the United States in 2021, with a total of 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League).” (To see the report, click here.) That makes two recent books important reading for those interested in learning about antisemitism: “Looking for an Enemy: 8 Essays on Antisemitism” edited by Jo Glanville (W. W. Norton and Company) for adults and “Big Lies: From Socrates to Social Media” by Mark Kurlansky and illustrated by Eric Zelz (Tilbury House Publishers), which is aimed at those aged 13-18.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...

[James Zaksek · Rating 4 out of 5]

These essays provided an educational look at Antisemitism and some reflections on whether we will be capable of eventually getting rid of it. It will be quite the challenge because of the current state of affairs with politicians, people of the world with differing views, and our own selves when we seek knowledge about these subjects. I wholeheartedly agree with a lot of these authors about needing to find a solution to this problem; but I also see that it will be a very difficult task in the coming years if harsh rhetoric continues from some of the top world leaders. We shouldn't stand by and let this happen.

[Armin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too woke for my taste.

[Jbussen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like Yoda could be of help here. “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” People are ignorant, lazy, and often just plain stupid. Those people don't (whatever) like we do, so they must be destroyed!! Rather than seek to tolerate, understand, or learn... well that would take work, sigh. People see outsiders doing well, get jealous and feel cheated. Jews become targets for all manner of ridiculous accusations. A world cabal of Jews controlling the world? If Jews are so powerful then why can't they use said power to protect themselves? Conspiracy theorists are the worst kind of losers. They are intellectually lazy and therefore easily lead. Sadly this includes governments and societies. This book just made me sad.

If you really want to know how antisemitism came to be or why it continues in this world, go ahead and read this book. But at its very most basic People are WILLFULLY stupid, lazy, and ignorant. People (& societies) hate on Jews because it is easy to assign blame for problems on something other than themselves.

[Charles Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5) Chilling, of course. This small book of 8 authors, told in 8 wide-ranging essays, is a case in understatement, as it lays out the modern expanse of anti-semitism. And while it touches on everything, space (like the essay genre itself) demands that a point is made quickly, and then abandoned right afterwards.

As one who is always looking for content to help others appreciate this subject, the book has some limitations. However the sheer power and number of insights in each short essay makes reading it unquestionably worthwhile for everyone.

Essentially this book strives to shine a light on the cutting-edge of anti-semitism, and while most such books spend quite a bit of time laying out the case that anti-semitism itself exists, the approach here trades understanding where anti-semitism comes from, for a better understanding of where it is likely to pop up.

Reading this book as an American, given the book's largely European focus, is to be doused in very cold water indeed, unceremoniously reminding you of the ubiquity and transcendence of this hateful idea, how it has meant so much, to so many people for so long, and, how it will continue to do so.

[Guy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection offers an in-depth exploration of antisemitism, covering its historical, cultural, and social aspects. Edited by London-based journalist Jo Glanville, the book is a work of rigor and quality with diverse, international perspectives. The essays are all insightful and help the reader grasp the complexity of the issue of antisemitism. Furthermore, it is a very short volume. It could easily be read in a couple of days.

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only two of those essays are good. Other two essays are leftist attacks on Trump or Brexiters. The rest describe subjective feelings based on some isolated events from the news. I wanted to read sociological or philosophical approaches, to see statistics or other data but this book has nothing of this kind.

[Isabelle Kinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays in this book presented an intriguing look at antisemitism. The essay I found the most compelling was the one about Jewish people in France where they are granted a small amount of legal representation (for a religious group this is uncommon due to laicite policies) but this makes them into a model minority who still suffers antisemitism that is not meaningfully addressed by the government. Honestly, the worst thing I can say about this book is that I wish it were more than 8 essays.

[Jeff Weyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been hard to set aside time to read. I started this book a few weeks ago and just finished it. Obviously the topic is timely. Given the nature of 10/7 and its aftermath I’m disappointed how little the book deals with Left and political antisemitism and radical Islam. Still, except for Tom Segev’s rambling contribution, the essays are solid and informative. My biggest takeaway is that the book, published two years ago, already feels dated. As if even people who took antisemitism seriously lacked a sense of urgency. As if no one thought a 10/7 could happen or expected the full-throated cheers it would elicit. No one but David Nirenberg, who asks how Jews or Israel became “a convincing explanation of what is wrong with the world.” That’s the question that faces all of us—and that’s killing some of us.