Marginalized from official history

progressive jews in Argentina and South America

Abstract

This article, based on extensive research, examines the origins and evolution of the non-Zionist Jewish left gathered in the International Federation Yidisher Kultur Farband (YKUF), established in Paris in 1937 and replicated in Buenos Aires in 1941 as Idisher Cultur Farband (ICUF). ICUF declared itself an anti-fascist cultural movement, defender of the Yiddish language, and promoter of unity among peoples. All of this was summarized in the concept that defined its identity: “Jewish progressivism.” Its principles are rooted in a modern Judaism that rejected religious authority and intertwined with revolutionary leftist thought, especially communism. After World War II, the ICUF in South America remained loyal to the Soviet Union, which increased its confrontation with Zionism. Since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, Zionist policy has become hegemonic, both in central community organizations and in small neighborhood schools. Since then, because it did not share that ideology, ICUFism has been marginalized in practice, as well as in historical narratives. In other words, its experiences have been left out of the “official history” of the community, and this has also tended to be replicated in academic research. In contrast, this work seeks to reveal unpublished sources and enable new interpretations of this network of progressive Jewish institutions.