CHAPTER 19 - Perets Markish and the Purge of Jewish Culture

Abstract

This chapter discusses the work of Perets Markish and his connection with Jewish culture. Before the Second World War, Perets Markish was one of the most widely read poets in a flourishing Yiddish culture. In 1941, together with other prominent Yiddish writers, he became a member of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee designed to enlist the sympathy of foreign and particularly American Jews against Germany. In spite of the anti-Jewish Campaign, which had been mounting since the war, the committee continued to exist until 1948 when it was suddenly abolished. An attack on rootless cosmopolitans was initiated that developed into a full-scale purge of Yiddish culture and then of Jews in general. All publications in Yiddish and mention of them in Russian journals ceased. Estimates vary as to the number of Yiddish writers and artists arrested and shot, but few of any importance escaped. The former members of the Anti-Fascist Committee were put on secret trial where the activities to which they were assigned during the war were described as crimes. Markish was among those to suffer.