Useful Jew

The term useful Jew was used in various historical contexts, typically describing a Jewish person useful in implementing an official authorities' policy, sometimes by oppressing other Jews.

* In 1744, Frederick II of Prussia introduced the practice of limiting Jewish population to a small number of the most wealthy families, known as "protected Jews". [ [http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/sub_image.cfm?image_id=571 Certificate Confirming Payment of Protection Money (Schutzgeld) for a Jewish Resident (1833)] ] The first-born son in such families inherited this privilege; other children were considered "useless" by the authorities and had an alternative to "either abstain from marriage or leave." [Simon Dubnow: "The newest history of the Jewish people, 1789–1914"]

* After the establishment of the Pale of Settlement in Imperial Russia, only "useful Jews" ( _ru. полезные евреи), such as wealthy first guild merchants ( _ru. купцы первой гильдии), persons who received higher education, cantonists after serving in the army the full term (25 years), as well as some other categories, were allowed to live outside the Pale. ["How Russia Shaped the Modern World: From Art to Anti-Semitism, Ballet to Bolshevism" by Steven G. Marks, p.142] [ [http://www.axt.org.uk/antisem/archive/archive4/russia/russia.htm Russia] at Institute for Jewish Policy Research]

* During the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Europe, the Jews who helped implement the Final Solution, such as members of Judenrat or the Jewish Police, were considered "valuable Jews" ( _de. Wertvolle Juden). They, and sometimes members of their families as well, were immune from deportation for extermination so long as they served the Nazis' purposes. Also, Jews who had helped plan the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin were considered "useful" and were spared deportation.

* In the Soviet Union, Jewish members of the Anti-Zionist Committee of the Soviet Public were colloquially known as "useful Jews" or "pocket Jews" ( _ru. карманные евреи), implying their corruption by high positions in the state hierarchy. [ru icon [http://www.sem40.ru/anti/history/1501/ The infamous AZCSP (in Russian)] Prepared by Moscow Bureau for human rights. Contains excerpts from June 6, 1983 AZSCP press-conference from the press-center of Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (sem40.ru)]

Notes

ee also

* Court Jew
* Schutz-Jude
* Shtadlan
* Jewish Question
* Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski