Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten: Correspondence and papers

Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten: Correspondence and papers 

The Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten was founded in 1919 to combat the resurgence of antisemitism during WWI. From the outset it was both a defence organisation and a veterans' association. It endeavoured to be apolitical but was regarded as assimilationist when compared with other Jewish organisations such as the Zionist Centralverein. It became the second largest German Jewish organisation with 30-40,000 membership at its peak, publishing its own fortnightly newspaper, Der Schild.

By 1924, at its national congress the R.j.F. resolved to include physical training for the young. Atheletics and, in particular, boxing were promoted, the latter as a form of self-defence and a means to counter the claim that Jews were weak and cowardly.

As antisemitism increased during the Weimar years, links with other non-Jewish veterans' associations decreased. By the time the Nuremberg race laws had been brought into force, any privileges that the Reichsbund might have enjoyed, by virtue of members' service to the fatherland, were gone. 

Reichsbund jüdischer Frontsoldaten: Correspondence and papers