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Wall Street Journal
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
‘A Calculated Restraint' Review: How the World Turned Away From Horror
In January 1939, Adolf Hitler gave a major speech about his plans for the Third Reich's future. Careful not to provoke Franklin Roosevelt, he did not mention the U.S. president by name and played down, relative to some of his other speeches, his hatred for the Jewish people. But even as the Führer sought to reassure the West of his intentions, Heinrich Himmler, the leader of the Nazi Party's SS (the Schutzstaffel, or 'protection squadron'), was already planning to build concentration camps and cremation ovens for the disappearing of those to be exterminated. Nearly three months earlier, thugs had attacked Jewish homes and businesses across Nazi Germany in what would come to be known as Kristallnacht. Laws were introduced to deprive German Jews of the privileges and civil rights they had enjoyed for centuries. In 'A Calculated Restraint,' Richard Breitman argues that by the time Hitler gave his speech in early 1939, 'he already hoped to physically eliminate the Jews of Europe.' Antisemitism was an essential and well-known element of Hitler's regime. So why did Americans and non-Reich Europeans continue to ignore it? Mr. Breitman's study concerns itself primarily with how a combination of institutionalized antisemitism and conservative diplomacy among Western governments was called on to deal with the vagaries of warfare. A distinguished professor emeritus at American University, Mr. Breitman has written extensively on World War II, including 'FDR and the Jews' (2013, with Allan J. Lichtman) and 'Official Secrets: What the Nazis Planned, What the British and Americans Knew' (1998). In 'A Calculated Restraint,' he sets out to explore 'the contrast between what Allied leaders knew and what they said publicly about the Holocaust,' re-examining some of his earlier conclusions in light of new and revised information. Mr. Breitman suggests that moral timidity meant that the dilemma faced by Europe's Jews was not a prime consideration for military and religious leaders. For years, Pope Pius XII equivocated about speaking out against Hitler's plans for fear of placing European Catholics in the Nazi leader's sights. Surprisingly, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Roosevelt were similarly reluctant. They 'initially viewed the Nazi campaign against the Jews as one small element of the war,' Mr. Breitman writes. The author's deep research reveals that their continued hesitation to acknowledge such organized killing is demonstrated by the historical record. Rabbi Stephen Wise, a co-founder of the World Jewish Congress and its first president, was a close friend of Roosevelt's and kept him apprised of antisemitism in Europe and the U.S. He urged more than once that FDR make a public statement about what was happening under the Nazi regime. But the president felt strongly that successfully prosecuting the war itself was of more immediate concern than the suffering of refugees, Jewish or otherwise. 'In retrospect,' both Roosevelt and Churchill 'could have done more to articulate genocide without major damage to the Allied war effort,' Mr. Breitman acidly asserts. 'That would have had at least some benefit in alerting potential victims and rescuers in Europe.'
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: Each and every person deserves to be treated humanely and with respect
In fact, people in power (irrespective of religious views) are morally obliged to have an ethical long-term view of the effects of their policies. There are ample historical examples of sadistic treatment of fellow human beings seen as 'others'. Kristallnacht 1938; Hungary 1956; Mississippi 1964; Burntollet Bridge 1968; Bloody Sunday 1972. The Gaza and Israel of today – will they ever meet other than violently? This week Los Angeles was chosen because it is a Democrat-voting state, for no other reason than to stir up violence. As William Butler Yeats reminds his readers, responsibility lies with those who light the match; alas, the instigators walk away from their responsibilities. Why? They reject the fact they are accountable for not only their soul, but the intellect given to each of us for the greater good of mankind. Today greed is astronomical, when allied to ignorance – they become like oil and water. Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia Parallels between Warsaw Ghetto and Gaza hard to ignore, despite protests Gustawa Jarecka, a survivor and writer of the Warsaw Ghetto, depicted the effects of hunger and morale collapse among residents. We should all take note. She writes in A Cup of Tears: A Diary of the Warsaw Ghetto a first-hand account of the desperation that led residents to commit horrible acts against one another in their struggle to survive. She could be writing about Gaza. ADVERTISEMENT Jarecka described the overwhelming obsession with food: 'The first days of hunger are the worst, then, it becomes bearable. First comes the weariness, your arms and legs feel heavy, each word becomes a painful noise ringing in the ears. The colours do not bring joy to the eyes; the light hurts them. You feel a constant thirst; chapped lips dry out. 'The jaws clench of their own accord and you feel a pain behind the ears at the sight of a tin spoon abandoned on a table. Then, thoughts about food start; terrible, exhausting daydreams.' The purpose of the ghetto was to dehumanise the residents, to make them appear to their oppressors as less than human. The next stage was to displace, eradicate and replace. The tragedy today is partly that we seem powerless to act to stop the crimes against humanity being committed by Israel. But isn't it a moral crime also to be cowed by anyone who uses the martyrs of the Warsaw Ghetto to justify identical crimes today? For Israel to condemn anyone who draws the parallel between the Warsaw Ghetto and Gaza as 'antisemitic' is an absurdity. Declan Doyle, Co Kilkenny Seventy-year-old granny putting all those spineless EU politicians to shame Seventy-year-old Cork grandmother D Murphy has been deported by Israel after spending time in Givon Prison because she felt she could not sit around while Palestinians are being killed and forced out of their homes in the Occupied West Bank – something that has been going on for decades. I suggest EU politicians, who many would say 'talk out of both sides of their mouth', could learn from this lady. Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Co Cork Our food processing chain gets more protection than elderly people in homes At the moment in many food processing plants in Ireland there are full-time Department of Agriculture inspectors whose job is to ensure that rules and regulations are adhered to. They have the authority to shut down lines when a problem arises and are not answerable to the owners of the plant. The cost of having them on site is recouped from the owners. Would it not be possible to have a qualified person in a care home full-time to ensure nothing like what we witnessed on Prime Time would happen again? That person would be there for the protection of both staff and patients. The benefits of having eyes and ears permanently in those homes would be immeasurable. It may sound like drastic measures, but really, when we are revisiting a problem that most of us thought was no longer an issue, then maybe drastic measures are all that will work. Or is food safety more important than old age and abuse? John Higgins, Ballina, Co Mayo The magic of sport is its uncertainty – and that always breeds new hope One of the joys of live sport is its unpredictability. Now that the dust has settled at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, we can reflect on how nail-biting the Munster hurling final remained until the long-awaited final whistle. The subsequent tie-breaker resolution leaves room for further debate. For neutrals, no doubt it was an enthralling contest. For Cork supporters, there was the glorious satisfaction of winning another provincial championship. To the victors the spoils. For this Limerick fan and my fellow believers, the phrase 'all is not lost' now carries deep and tantalising possibilities. Further twists will emerge as the hurling season continues to beguile us. Tony Wallace, Longwood, Co Meath With the greatest respect, Pride now highlights only the things that divide us I'm frequently told by people of impeccable judgment that I haven't a vindictive bone in my body. By and large, I subscribe to the 'live and let live' philosophy'. However, I'm beginning to find the relatively recent phenomenon of Pride events irritating in the extreme. Why on earth do people have to make such a big deal of their sexuality? It shouldn't be your defining characteristic. There is much more to human beings than that. It's essentially a private matter and no one else's business. I don't really want to know if anyone is heterosexual or homosexual, provided they are decent in their dealings with me. So, while wishing those with same-sex attraction peace and contentment, can we please put an end to these Pride events? They only emphasise difference rather than our common humanity.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: One family's journey to the U.S. shows the horrors the country cannot repeat
To the editor: Thank you, guest contributor Karen Musalo, for this article ('The U.S. failed refugees during the Holocaust. Trump's Libya plan would too,' May 19). Yes, we have to be reminded that what President Trump is planning is a repeat of the horrors of the Nazi era and that there are legal procedures today to prevent this. My late husband was on the St. Louis at the age of 7 with his 3-year-old brother, grandmother, mother and father. They were Jewish refugees from Berlin. The father's store burned down during Kristallnacht. My mother-in-law, through friends, found out about getting into Cuba via this voyage when they were refused entrance into the U.S. at that time. Germany convinced Cuba to reject them, after which the ship turned back toward Europe and its concentration camps. Fortunately, there were interventions plotted by the captain, the Jewish Refugee Organization and passengers on the trip to avoid going back. The Vendig family ended up in Belgium, then Vichy France and were finally rescued with help from Switzerland. The family finally got to the U.S. in 1946. They were lucky. Stephanie Vendig, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: One family's journey to the U.S. shows the horrors the country cannot repeat
To the editor: Thank you, guest contributor Karen Musalo, for this article ('The U.S. failed refugees during the Holocaust. Trump's Libya plan would too,' May 19). Yes, we have to be reminded that what President Trump is planning is a repeat of the horrors of the Nazi era and that there are legal procedures today to prevent this. My late husband was on the St. Louis at the age of 7 with his 3-year-old brother, grandmother, mother and father. They were Jewish refugees from Berlin. The father's store burned down during Kristallnacht. My mother-in-law, through friends, found out about getting into Cuba via this voyage when they were refused entrance into the U.S. at that time. Germany convinced Cuba to reject them, after which the ship turned back toward Europe and its concentration camps. Fortunately, there were interventions plotted by the captain, the Jewish Refugee Organization and passengers on the trip to avoid going back. The Vendig family ended up in Belgium, then Vichy France and were finally rescued with help from Switzerland. The family finally got to the U.S. in 1946. They were lucky. Stephanie Vendig, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Holocaust Survivor Hannah Holsten Shares Her Story on the Harvey School Campus
As one of the last living survivors of the Holocaust, Hannah Holsten carries a story that demands to be heard — not simply to inform, but to serve as a warning. Her visit to the Harvey School on Jan. 15 proves the value of these testimonies and the lasting impact they have on those who listen. While survivors are still with us, every student should take the opportunity to hear voices like Holsten's so they are prepared to recognize injustice and stand up against it. Recognizing this importance, the Harvey School made a dedicated effort to bring a first-hand account to its students. In collaboration with the school's Jewish Culture Club, the Harvey English and History departments organized the event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. English and History Department Heads Virginia Holmes and Jessica Falcon partnered with the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center to select a speaker. From the Center, Executive Director Millie Jasper and Speakers Bureau Liaison Bette Sparago connected them to Holsten, who lived a normal life in Nuremberg, Germany until 1938—when the night of Kristallnacht shattered it all. On the night of Kristallnacht, Holsten shared that the Nazis destroyed all of her family's personal belongings and jewelry store. This was the beginning of the world's descent into unspeakable horror—one that millions would not survive. According to Holsten, what followed was a period of displacement and almost impossible choices that defined her years in the shadows. At the Harvey School, Holsten gave her testimony, stating that she felt an obligation to speak. 'I'm here,' her voice quivered. 'Six million of my brethren are not.' Teacher Nate Alexander and student Benji Cutler recorded her testimony, preserving it as a record presented to the entire Upper School Community on Feb. 11. Observing nearly every student in the room captivated by the gravity of Holsten's words, Department Head Ms. Holmes explained: 'Not only is the content in her story so powerful, but she herself was such a dynamic speaker that the Harvey community was listening to every word she had to say.' Among many of Holsten's reminders was that while it is easy to reimagine history's greatest atrocity as the work of a single individual, it is crucial to remember that Adolf Hitler was legally elected. In other words, he didn't seize power by surprise—he was chosen. Holsten detailed the systemic laws that slowly eroded the rights of the Jewish people until they were no longer humans but problems to be solved. Yet what allowed Hitler to finally claim absolute power, in Holsten's words, was silence. 'Whatever he did, it was in silence,' she reminded the audience. 'No one at all spoke up.' As Holsten shared her story with the Harvey School, she recounted the moments when fate blurred the line between her family's tactics and sheer luck on their route toward survival. After Kristallnacht, Holsten recounts her mother putting her and her brother on a train to Amsterdam. Though they were not allowed to disembark there—this attempt to escape having failed—Holsten's Dutch aunt joined the train and convinced the children to exchange their toys for new ones. Holsten revealed that her mother had hidden jewels inside the toys, hoping that the family could use the jewels to potentially bargain for their survival. The toys fulfilled this wish, and Holsten's father eventually used the jewels to hire new smugglers to begin their escape. Holsten said that the terror of being nearly caught haunted her and her family at every step. Survival during the Holocaust meant being subject to forces beyond one's control, Holsten explained. Transported by new smugglers to escape, her family was hidden in the disguised bottom of a hay wagon. 'We rolled along the countryside—and of course, we were stopped,' Holsten said. What followed was a life-saving twist of fate. According to Holsten, 'The Nazi officers took their pitchforks and put them in the hay. Who was looking after us? Maybe it was God. Maybe it was destiny. Maybe it was luck. They did not penetrate us. They were so high that what they hit was really hay—and not us.' When the smuggler transporting them could go no further, Holsten remembers him directing the family toward a bridge—their only path into Belgium and safety. But when they arrived, a troop of German soldiers with bayonets lined the bridge. According to Holsten, another miracle of chance saved her and her family. By sheer luck, the soldiers turned around and allowed them to cross the bridge. 'Was it empathy? Was it [that] they saw a young woman with three children, and they [decided not to] kill them?' Holsten asked the students at the Harvey School—chills permeating the room. Once in Belgium, Holsten recalls her father using their family's remaining money to reach Britain. After a year enduring blitzkriegs there, Holsten's family left for the United States. But Holsten makes clear that they were among the fortunate. Millions—including many of Holsten's relatives—never made it out. Holsten shares that at an age when most children learned nursery rhymes and games, she had endured the art of survival. Eventually, her family was granted entry into the United Kingdom—where she lived in Cardiff before making her way by boat to the United States. Holsten described her current life, explaining that she now lives in Hartsdale as the bearer of her family's legacy— a legacy that defied Hitler's attempts to erase the Jewish people. She has three children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and enjoyed a long career in Jewish education, retiring a decade ago. At the end of her story, Holsten recounted a final memory that left students shocked. Her aunt, who had hid in Holland, was betrayed and deported to Auschwitz. Her aunt had a son— a 4-year-old of whom she made the difficult choice to give away to strangers to give her son a chance of survival. These acts of sacrifice defined the Holocaust. Holsten's aunt knew she would not survive— but her son had a chance. Later, Holsten revealed that her aunt endured Auschwitz until liberation. Her husband was not as fortunate and died on a death march shortly before being freed. Incredibly, Holsten shared that her aunt's son survived and lives today in Israel. Yet, the story of his mother and millions of victims reflects the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. The Harvey School administration now intends on sharing Holsten's story every four years, ensuring that every graduating class hears Holsten's story. As the last living survivors of the Holocaust slowly leave us, the responsibility of remembrance falls on the generations who live long after. Holsten's story reveals that history is never far in the distance— and that unspeakable cruelty and violence may resurrect itself if we dare not confront our silence and complacency. Looking ahead, they remain committed to never letting Holsten's words fade. The act of listening to Holsten's recorded testimony will forever be a part of the Harvey School's graduation tradition, inspiring students to preserve an unspeakable history in the name of shared responsibility— and ensuring that the terrors of the Holocaust never happen again. As we navigate an era marked by rising disinformation, extremism, and social tension, Holsten's story is not just relevant — it's essential. Her testimony serves not just as a remembrance of the past, but as a warning to the present. To ensure that such atrocities are never repeated, we need to continue listening to the stories of survivors while they are still with us and commit to carrying their voices forward once they are gone. Related
