In 1977, the Israeli scholar Yehuda Bauer offered a heartfelt warning “against the creation of ‘Holocaustology’ and the careerism of ‘Holocaustologians.”‘ At first glance, Bauer’s warning seems peculiar. After all, what could be more honorable and more important than the study of the systematic murder of 6 million Jews — a study undertaken for the purpose of preventing such an act in the future? In the past 20 years, Holocaust studies has become a glamorous and exciting field for American academics, as money from Steven Spielberg and others earmarked for Holocaust studies is flowing like cheap wine all across the world. The Holocaust, the most unspeakable event of the modern age, has become a career for some folks — the source of their livelihoods.
Continue readingAuthor: Webb
Debate rages over future of the Holocaust’s legacy
- Some say politicizing event will trivialize it
In the past 14 months, the director of the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., was fired when he objected to the museum being used for political purposes.
The editor of an influential magazine on Jewish affairs was called “brainless when it comes to the Holocaust” for criticizing the growing field of Holocaust studies.
Continue readingMass executions at Buchenwald
Buchenwald: a reminder of Weimar’s somber past
Both Nazis and Soviets killed prisoners there
Continue readingInto the heart of darkness
- Memory: At Auschwitz, the line to the left meant death
Mill Hill minister slams ‘Holocaust obsession’
MILL HILL minister Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet criticised what he called “the Holocaust-obsessed” generation in a Passover sermon, suggesting that money would be better spent on Jewish education.
Continue readingAuschwitz survivor now fears NATO
BELGRADE — Aca Singer, who lost 65 members of his family in the Holocaust, says he didn’t survive Auschwitz to die from an American bomb.
Continue readingNeeds of Holocaust survivors are ignored
I agree with D.M. Schonberger (CJN, Dec. 24) that the remarks of Irving Abella were deeply offensive. To refer to the Holocaust as a “metaphor” in education (CJN, Dec. 3), whatever his meaning, is an insult to all of us who lost members of our family.
Continue reading‘St. Louis’ passengers often survived the war
Tracing Fates of 907 Jews on Liner Turned Away in 1939
In June 1939, Ilse Marcus was so tantalizingly close to the saving shores of the United States that she could see the palm trees of Miami.
But the American Government refused to provide a refuge for her and the 906 other German Jews aboard the St. Louis who were fleeing their homeland’s Nazi terror. The ocean liner, which had already been turned away from Cuba, was forced to return to Europe, where the passengers were dispersed to Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Britain.
Continue readingFrench Jews see restitution differently
FOCUS ON ISSUES
French Jews fear restitution focus will prevent setting record straight
PARIS, March 29 (JTA) — French Jewish leaders, unlike their American counterparts, are taking a low-key approach to the restitution issue.
Continue readingUsing the Holocaust to deflect criticism of Israel
Netanyahu links Nazi genocide to recognition of a Palestinian State
Israel invoked the genocide of the Jews in Europe perpetrated by the Nazis as the basis for rejecting in advance, yesterday, any decision by the European Union leaning towards recognition of a Palestinian State.
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