Language:
German
Year of publication:
2010
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft
Angaben zur Quelle:
58,2 (2010) 105-133
Keywords:
Adler, H. G.
;
Theresienstadt (Concentration camp)
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Historiography
;
Jews
Abstract:
A critique of H.G. Adler's ambitious "Theresienstadt 1939-45: Das Antlitz einer Zwangsgemeinschaft", first published in 1955, and reprinted in 1960 and 2005. Commends Adler's work for its rich documentation, but opposes its negative presentation of the Judenrat and of the inmates as largely morally corrupt. In Adler's view, the three consecutive heads of the Judenrat - Jakob Edelstein, Paul Eppstein, and Benjamin Murmelstein, though not quilty of collaboration, did not do enough to combat dirt, corruption, theft, and favoritism. Kosta, based on his own experiences in Theresienstadt, rejects Adler's claims, but acknowledges the Jewish leaders' role in deciding who was to be deported and the part played here of favoritism. However, emphasizes that approximately a third of the name lists were composed without Jewish participation. Discusses, also, Adler's critique of Jewish self-administration, child-care, cultural activities, and resistance in the camp. Presents, overall, a much more positive outlook concerning Jewish activity in the camp, despite the hardships and deportations. Concludes that Adler was influenced by Elias Canetti's and Hermann Broch's critique of modernity, and mistakenly portrayed the Jewish inmates as tainted by the same kind of moral decay as the Nazis.
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