American Social Writer & Philosopher

Autograph Letters Signed (2), to Neil Yetwin. Transcribed below; further description will be posted shortly.

February 4, 1979

Dear Mr. Yetwin:

Many thanks for your letter. Unfortunately my failing eyesight prevents me from reading the faded print of your article. I shall have someone read it to me later.

There is a danger of an Anti-Semitic explosion in this country. There is no telling when it will come. The Negro vote can easily become anti-Jewish. Arab money can work mischief. If America’s present decline lands us into a real mess, many politicians will be tempted to blame the Jews for all our ills. Add the fact that over half of the adversary intellectuals who villify [sic] this country at every opportunity are Jewish and you can see that the present situation in America is not totally different from what things were in WeimarGermany in the late 1920s. The chief difference is that the Jews now have a place of refuge – Israel.

Warm regards,
Eric Hoffer

February 22, 1979

Dear Mr. Yetwin:

Were I a Jew I would not waste my time wondering what people think of the Jews. In America the Jews constitute 2.7% of the population yet they have produced our two foremost living writers, and they receive about half of the Nobel Prizes given to Americans. The Jews have given America one of its most outstanding secretaries of state, and more than any other ethnic minority are represented in Presidential cabinets. Jews are conspicuous on the faculties of our foremost universities and are outstanding in almost every scientific field. No one doubts that had Hitler left the Jews alone he would have won the war. Without exception, countries which persecute Jews come to a bad end. Finally, in Israel the Jews have produced brilliant generals and are teaching the world how to turn deserts into gardens. It should be obvious that what the world needs is more Jews.

As I said, I would not pay attention to what people say about Jews. But in the back of mind I would keep alive the awareness that the impulse to kill Jews is dormant everywhere.

Warm regards,
Eric Hoffer