Honorary Senator Arthur Langerman: A life against anti-Semitism

Honorary Senator Arthur Langerman: A life against anti-Semitism

On May 26, 2025, the Technical University of Berlin awarded the dignity of Honorary Senator to Arthur Langerman, a notable Holocaust survivor. This award was given by decision of the Academic Senate to honor Langerman's tireless commitment to combating anti-Semitism and his extensive collection of visual anti-Semitism. The honor took place on a day that also included the opening of the exhibition “#FakeImages – Recognizing the Dangers of Stereotypes,” compiled from the Langerman Collection.

Arthur Langerman's story is characterized by traumatic experiences and a firm will to educate. His parents and numerous relatives were deported to Auschwitz in 1944; only his mother survived. Langerman was able to survive in various children's homes and began collecting anti-Semitic images in the 1960s, which now includes over 11,000 artifacts. This collection forms the foundation of the “Arthur Langerman Archive for Research into Visual Anti-Semitism” at the TU Berlin. Prof. Dr. Stefanie Student-Springorum, director of the Center for Anti-Semitism Research, gave the laudatory speech and drew attention to Germany's responsibility in dealing with hatred of Jews.

Honors and exhibitions

The TU President Prof. Dr. Geraldine Rauch presented the honorary senatorship, while greetings from Dr. Felix Klein, Dr. Ina Czyborra and Paul Nemitz were read out. The exhibition “#FakeImages” addresses anti-Semitic image propaganda. Langerman had traveled to Berlin that day to celebrate the opening of this important exhibition. This traveling exhibition is supported by the Belgian museum Kazerne Dossin and has already been shown in Brussels and New York.

The exhibition is divided into two thematic areas: the first part deals with the development of anti-Semitic images up to 1945, while the second part deals with stereotyping and contemporary examples. The objects on display include postcards, newspaper clippings and children's book illustrations, all of which provide insight into the history of anti-Semitism. Langerman warns that anti-Semitism has increased again since Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and calls for more education about the Holocaust, especially for younger generations who are often under-informed.

Criticism and reflection

Langerman highlights that the church plays a significant role in anti-Semitism, calling it the “first anti-Semitic organization.” He refers to historical events such as the Crusades, which were accompanied by anti-Semitic depictions and acts of violence. This is not only a personal concern, but is also reinforced by the art and historiography of the last centuries. In the context of the 15th century, the view of Augustine, who accused the Jews of not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, became crucial to the theological discourses of that time.

In the art of this period, Jews were often portrayed as primitive and ugly figures, a depiction that still resonates today. Physical deformities, for example, were interpreted as signs of character deficiencies, which further reinforced the negative perception. Langerman criticizes the long time that has passed to refute the lies about alleged ritual murders of Jews and hopes for a deeper confrontation between the new Pope Leo XIV and Judaism.

The exhibition “#FakeImages” not only represents a critical analysis of history, but is also an urgent appeal for more education and awareness in dealing with anti-Semitism and the echoes of the past. The TU Berlin plays a central role in this regard by stimulating dialogue about anti-Semitism and emphasizing the importance of enlightenment in society.