The double-edged sword of ‘Jewcentricity’

Antisemitism has a flip side: a romantic, positive association known as philosemitism.  

I believe that understanding the notion of philosemitism is important if we are to properly understand the complexity of antisemitism. 

In my own – admittedly sheltered and over-educated – life, I have experienced a curious, favourable and even envious interest in Jews from non-Jews, at least as often as I've encountered negativity, let alone hostility. Indeed, during my dating years at university, when I needed all the help I could get, a little philosemitism occasionally came in quite handy. 

Both antisemitism and philosemitism are examples of ‘Jewcentricity’, a term coined by American historian Adam Garfinkle who published a book of the same name in 2009.

Jewcentricity describes the widespread, deep-rooted and age-old psychological and cultural tendency to exaggerate, and feel intensely and often emotionally about, the role of Jews and Judaism in world events – both positively and negatively.  

This exaggeration manifests as both philosemitic admiration (praising Jews as exceptionally influential, gifted or moral), and antisemitic condemnation (blaming Jews for various global problems or conspiracies). Importantly, Garfinkle emphasises that these inflated perceptions often distort reality – they ascribe to Jews a far greater, often mythical, significance than either their numbers or actual influence would warrant.