Noah Krassman
Longing for Despair: Judeopessimism and Jewish Identity Formation in the 21st Century
2024 | Full access
Judeopessimism can be defined as that which describes an affective, ontological, and political theory or attitude of resignation toward the longevity of anti-Jewishness through the evolution of interacting cultures over thousands of years, arguably culminating in the Holocaust – otherwise known by some as the end, or “fracturing” of modernity itself. Judeopessimism thus offers a dynamic intellectual framework which reflects the contemporary struggle to find meaning in diasporic Jewishness in the 21st century, considering the decades of institutional Holocaust memory and its hegemony in the academy and Jewish identity. This terminology outlines a powerful and provocative concept which captures the mood and mindset of many Jews in the postmodern era and reflects the historical and existential challenges that Jews face in a world that is often hostile and indifferent to their suffering. It also reflects the philosophical and ethical challenges posed to Jewish communities by Jews and the world around them by questioning the meaning and value of Jewish existence, being, and identity; it is therefore not a final or fatalistic verdict, but a critical and constructive voice which invites Jews and scholars alike to engage with their past, present, and future critically and creatively.
Supervisors:
Prof. Shaul Magid
Dr. Shmuel Lederman