YELLOW STAR IN THE PERCEPTION OF GERMAN JEWS (1941–1945)

YELLOW STAR IN THE PERCEPTION OF GERMAN JEWS (1941–1945)

Authors

• А.М. Ермаков

Keywords:

anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Third Reich, stigma, the yellow star

Abstract

Based on the sources of personal origin and official documents, the author investigates the perception of the yellow star identification mark introduction by German Jews in September 1941. It was established that the adherents of Zionist ideas wore the mark with pride, emphasizing their innocent martyrdom. For the overwhelming majority of Jews, wearing the yellow star was a strong moral blow and, in retrospect, seemed the most severe discriminatory measure in the entire period of Nazi rule. Some of them reacted to the introduction of the yellow star, accepting a quick or slow death, some tried to hide it in public places in violation of the government order, and the most decisive got rid of it for a while or forever, going underground. In the post-war memories of Jews, the yellow star is associated with humiliation and a mortal threat, and getting rid of it is associated with liberation and hope for life