Greenberg Professor of Holocaust Studies, professor of Hebrew and Judaic studies, professor of history, New York Univers - David Engel
This innovative volume uses the history of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee as a window onto the experiences of the Jewish people during the twentieth century. It provides a unique panorama onto far-flung Jewish communities joined together through a remarkable American-based organization with worldwide concerns.
Brandeis University, author of American Judaism: A History - Jonathan D. Sarna
This remarkable collection of scholarly essays, based on the recently opened archives of the JDC, transforms our understanding of American Jewish rescue and humanitarian efforts, emphasizing the interwar and Holocaust years. Heroes, villains, murders, and mysteries fill these pages; so do grim details, poignant photographs, and trenchant analyses. A major contribution to twentieth-century Jewish history.
Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Judaic Studies, University of Michigan - Zvi Gitelman
Based largely on the underutilized archives of the Joint Distribution Committee, these riveting accounts of that century-old institution tell dramatic stories of the rescue and support the JDC has provided to Jews from China to Cuba, Eastern Europe to Israel, and beyond. Firmly committed to avoiding politics, the JDC nevertheless has had to navigate tense, delicate situations and has done so with aplomb, discretion, and remarkable successes.
The American Jewish Archives Journal - Michal Ben Ya’akov
This volume is of great value for scholars working on a wide variety of projects: on specific topics and communities in which the JDC was involved; comparative studies on the challenges confronting Jews in modern times; the problems facing refugees and emigrants; and the work of global aid organizations. Individuals interested in family histories that intersect with events described in this volume will find the relevant articles extremely useful, providing the necessary context for their own stories, as well as ample sources to continue their search.
