MINNEAPOLIS, March 8, 2026 — A scholar’s new anthology explores a surprising source of hope in the face of antisemitism: the works of Jewish authors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who used storytelling to navigate a period of intense debate and prejudice.
Finding Hope in Old Tales: A New Look at Jewish Literary Responses to Antisemitism
Table of Contents
A new collection of stories, essays, and a novel seeks to uncover the enduring power of hope within Jewish literature, offering a counter-narrative to centuries of persecution.
- The anthology draws from a period—roughly 1880 to 1940—when Jewish writers grappled with “the Jewish Question” following emancipation.
- These works often employ irony, humor, and fantastical elements to subvert antisemitic tropes and assert Jewish humanity.
- The collection includes both well-known authors like Sholem Aleichem and lesser-known voices, offering a broad perspective on the Jewish experience.
- The author hopes these stories can offer a path toward regaining a sense of shared humanity in a world still grappling with conflict.
What can centuries-old stories tell us about navigating modern conflict? According to Jack Zipes, the answer lies in the resilience and ingenuity of Jewish writers who faced their own “Jewish questions” about assimilation, religious dogma, and the ever-present threat of violence.
The “Jewish Question” and the Power of Narrative
Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European and American Jewish writers produced a wealth of literature addressing the complex and often hostile debate surrounding Jewish identity and integration into society—a debate known as “the Jewish Question.” This period followed the era of emancipation, when Jews were granted legal rights but continued to face social and economic discrimination.
Zipes’s new anthology gathers tales, essays, and a novel that directly confront and subvert the antisemitism inherent in this debate. These works aren’t heavy-handed polemics; instead, they employ a range of literary techniques—humor, irony, fantasy, and magical realism—to explore themes of identity, survival, and the assertion of humanity.
From Golems to Shtetls: A Diverse Collection
The anthology showcases a diverse range of voices and perspectives. Readers will encounter familiar authors like Karl Emil Franzos, Israel Zangwill, I.L. Peretz, and Sholem Aleichem alongside lesser-known writers such as Hersh Dovid Nomberg, Helena Frank, and Gertrude Landa. The works are arranged chronologically, allowing readers to trace the evolution of Jewish literary responses to changing historical circumstances.
The stories themselves are varied, encompassing tales of the Golem—the legendary protector of Jewish communities—rabbis who use wisdom to safeguard their people, and the everyday lives of Jews in the shtetls, ghettos, and towns of Eastern Europe. Many narratives include ironic twists and self-deprecating humor, reflecting the challenges and complexities of Jewish life during this period.
Zipes specifically highlights two particularly poignant tales, “The Operated Jew” and “The Operated Goy,” as examples of the deep-seated and enduring conflict between Jews and non-Jews. These stories, he believes, reflect a bitterness that persists even today.
A Personal Reflection and a Call for Hope
The project stems from a personal reckoning, as the author initially hoped the establishment of Israel in 1948 would usher in an era of peace and goodwill. Disappointment with that outcome prompted a search for alternative paths toward resolving conflict, leading to the rediscovery of these powerful literary voices.
Inspired by a poem by Heinrich Heine, “For Esau” (1824), Zipes emphasizes the importance of finding ways to avoid “raging” against injustice and instead using the power of the pen to advocate for peaceful solutions. He believes that the utopian possibilities embedded within these stories can help us regain a sense of shared humanity.
Ultimately, the anthology is a testament to the enduring power of hope and the ability of literature to offer solace, insight, and a path toward a more just and peaceful world.
What role can literature play in addressing contemporary conflicts? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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