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Born Jewish: A Childhood in Occupied Europe
Eminent Marxist intellectual recounts class struggles in Nazi-torn Belgium
Marcel Liebman was one of post-war Europe’s preeminent Marxist intellectuals. This, his memoir of Nazi-occupied Belgium, is both an elegy and an indictment. Liebman’s account of his childhood in Brussels under the Nazi occupation explores the emergence of his class-consciousness against a background of resistance and collaboration. He documents the internal class war that has long been hidden from how the Nazi persecution exploited class distinctions within the Jewish community, and how certain Jewish notables collaborated in a systematic programme of denunciation and deportation against immigrant Jews who lacked the privileges of wealth and citizenship.
Born Jewish is a fierce, powerful and subtle account of the Liebman family’s struggle to survive persecution and terror, a story rich with insight, humour and lyricism.
Marcel Liebman was one of post-war Europe’s preeminent Marxist intellectuals. This, his memoir of Nazi-occupied Belgium, is both an elegy and an indictment. Liebman’s account of his childhood in Brussels under the Nazi occupation explores the emergence of his class-consciousness against a background of resistance and collaboration. He documents the internal class war that has long been hidden from how the Nazi persecution exploited class distinctions within the Jewish community, and how certain Jewish notables collaborated in a systematic programme of denunciation and deportation against immigrant Jews who lacked the privileges of wealth and citizenship.
Born Jewish is a fierce, powerful and subtle account of the Liebman family’s struggle to survive persecution and terror, a story rich with insight, humour and lyricism.
- GenresNonfiction
181 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
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About the author
Marcel Liebman
25 books10 followersMarcel Liebman (1929 - 1986) was a Belgian Marxist historian of political sociology and theory, active at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
An historian of socialism and of communism, he published a number of well known books, notably on the Russian Revolution, Leninism and the history of the labour movement in Belgium. He was also an early initiator of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. His intellectual methodology was engaged, critical and rigorous.
From 1962 to 1967, he was editor of the weekly journal La Gauche (The Left) and in 1968 founded the journal Mai (May) which existed until 1973.
In 1976, he participated in the creation of the Association Belgo-Palestinienne, with Naïm Khader and Pierre Galand, where he was General-Secretary.
A foundation under the directorship Mateo Alaluf was created at the Université Libre de Bruxelles upon Marcel Liebman's death in 1986. In December 2005, the foundation was converted into the Marcel Liebman Institute. This Institute aims to contribute to socialist thought and the study of the left, as well as a critical reflection on the practices of social movements.
An historian of socialism and of communism, he published a number of well known books, notably on the Russian Revolution, Leninism and the history of the labour movement in Belgium. He was also an early initiator of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. His intellectual methodology was engaged, critical and rigorous.
From 1962 to 1967, he was editor of the weekly journal La Gauche (The Left) and in 1968 founded the journal Mai (May) which existed until 1973.
In 1976, he participated in the creation of the Association Belgo-Palestinienne, with Naïm Khader and Pierre Galand, where he was General-Secretary.
A foundation under the directorship Mateo Alaluf was created at the Université Libre de Bruxelles upon Marcel Liebman's death in 1986. In December 2005, the foundation was converted into the Marcel Liebman Institute. This Institute aims to contribute to socialist thought and the study of the left, as well as a critical reflection on the practices of social movements.
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January 4, 2011
I chose this book off the library shelf because it takes place in Belgium. That is where Ingrid - Claudette's mother lived through the Holocaust. So I thought this book would add to Ingrid's book.
Marcel Liebman is a great writer because he combines his personal story with hindsight openly, and his opinion and how his hiding for years changed his whole future.
It is also interesting because it was Catholic nuns and later Jesuit priests that hid him and were reliable. It is also surprising that their Cardinal and Bishops said "go ahead but we can do nothing to help you."
Marcel Liebman is a great writer because he combines his personal story with hindsight openly, and his opinion and how his hiding for years changed his whole future.
It is also interesting because it was Catholic nuns and later Jesuit priests that hid him and were reliable. It is also surprising that their Cardinal and Bishops said "go ahead but we can do nothing to help you."
Displaying 1 of 1 review