British Jewry and the Holocaust

The first book to examine the response of the British Jewish community to the destruction of the European Jewish community during World War II.

Richard Bolchover (Author)

9780521432344, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 April 1993

224 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 1.9 cm, 0.404 kg

'... Richard Bolchover asks: 'Why was it that the Holocaust made such little impact on Anglo-Jewry; why in hindsight do British Jews appear insensitive?' These are painful questions for a young Jewish scholar, but Bolchover pursues them unflinchingly ... a poignant and important contribution to Holocaust studies.' Ian McIntyre, The Independent

This is the first book to examine the response of the British Jewish community to the destruction of the Jewish community of mainland Europe in World War II. Richard Bolchover charts the response of leading Jews and of Jewish organisations to the unfolding tragedy of Europe's Jews. In the process he raises controversial questions about the Anglo-Jewish community's priorities, and the way in which it organised itself. This study of Jewish political thoughts and culture marks a serious and provocative departure from the traditionally dominant trend in Anglo-Jewish historiography.

Introduction
Part I. Knowing and Believing
Part II. The Institutions: Introduction: The Anglo-Jewish Community
1. Communal priorities
2. The institutional response to the Holocaust
Part III. The Ideologies: Introduction: social and political philosophies
3. The politics of hope
4. The politics of fear
5. The Jewish fighting model
Conclusion

Subject Areas: Second World War [HBWQ], British & Irish history [HBJD1]