Integration of Galician Jews in the Light of the Lwów “Ojczyzna” (1881–1892)

Abstract

The article examines the history of Galician integrationists, depicted in the light of their press organ, the Polish-Jewish bi-weekly “Ojczyzna”, issued in Lwów from April 1881 to the middle of 1892. While presenting the origin of this social formation the author discusses its most prominent targets, programme, and activity. Special attention is paid to the reaction towards growing anti-Semitism and Jewish nationalism (Zionism), i.e. movements that ultimately resulted in the atrophy and decomposition of the integrationist camp. The formation of Galician integrationists began to assume shape in the second half of the nineteenth century under the impact of a favourable political situation (the defeat of Austria in the wars against France and Prussia), legal emancipation, progressing acculturation, and generational shift. The integrationists, who originated predominantly from the intelligentsia and the prosperous bourgeoisie in larger towns (primarily Lwów and Cracow) referred to the Haskalah ideology, although they carried out its considerable modification and radicalization by representing a post-Haskalah ideological option. The needs and aspirations of the successors of the Galician Maskilim grew considerably as the outcome of formal emancipation and acculturation. The integrationists sought a way to realise their goals outside the cultural ghetto within the Polish environment, in which they enjoyed a firm foothold due to formal equal rights and cultural adaptation. For several decades they believed that repression and intolerance are relics of the past and an anachronism, which sooner or later must be replaced by “civilisation”. The integrationists were also of the opinion that having fulfilled their civic duties they gained a place within non-Jewish society. Emancipated and culturally adapted — in contrast to previous generations and the Jewish masses — they were much more concerned with what the non-Jews said and thought about them. The author indicates that the openly declared and demonstrated animosity of the non-Jewish surrounding was particularly grievous: it destabilised and ultimately destroyed integrationist ideology.