The Untold Story Of America's Efforts To Save The Jews Of Europe

During World War II, millions of innocent lives were lost due to the atrocities committed by the Nazis. The Jewish population, in particular, faced unimaginable horrors as the Holocaust unfolded. However, amidst the darkness, a story of hope and resilience emerges - the untold story of America's efforts to save the Jews of Europe.

Contrary to popular belief, America did not turn a blind eye to the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust. While the full extent of the genocide was not known to the world at the time, there were individuals within the American government who recognized the urgency of the situation.

Raoul Wallenberg: A Hero Amongst the Chaos

One of the notable figures in the untold story is Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat stationed in Budapest, Hungary. Wallenberg took extraordinary measures to save thousands of Jews from deportation to concentration camps. Using his diplomatic status and ingenious methods, he issued protective passports and sheltered Jews in buildings with his diplomatic immunity.

Rescue Board: The Untold Story of America's Efforts to Save the Jews of Europe

by Rebecca Erbelding(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27341 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	344 pages

FREE

Wallenberg's actions saved countless lives and frustrated the Nazis' plans. However, his efforts were not officially recognized until after his disappearance, leaving his heroism overshadowed for many years.

The War Refugee Board: A Beacon of Hope

Another crucial component of America's efforts was the establishment of the War Refugee Board in 1944. The board, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, focused on rescuing and providing assistance to Jewish refugees in Europe.

The War Refugee Board worked tirelessly to negotiate safe havens, provide financial resources, and organize rescue operations. Led by individuals like John Pehle and Varian Fry, the board strategically collaborated with Swiss, Swedish, and other neutral countries to aid refugees and support resistance movements.

The Évian Conference: A Missed Opportunity

However, not all efforts by the United States yielded positive results. The Évian Conference, held in France in 1938, was an opportunity for countries to discuss and address the growing refugee crisis. Unfortunately, the outcome was far from promising.

Despite the escalating persecution of Jews in Germany and Austria, the participating nations failed to make substantial commitments to admit refugees. The conference highlighted the overall lack of willingness among countries to take action, which would later affect the unfolding events of the Holocaust.

Legacy and Reflections

While there were triumphs and setbacks in America's efforts to save the Jews of Europe, it is important to acknowledge the individuals who risked their lives and the organizations that fought against a global wave of indifference.

The untold story of America's efforts to save the Jews of Europe serves as a reminder of the immense challenges faced during that dark period. It highlights the importance of compassion, resilience, and the collective responsibility of nations to protect innocent lives.

Today, it is crucial to share this untold story, raising awareness and honoring the heroes who stood up against injustice. By remembering their bravery, we strive to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

Rescue Board: The Untold Story of America's Efforts to Save the Jews of Europe

by Rebecca Erbelding(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27341 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	344 pages

FREE

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD

For more than a decade, a harsh Congressional immigration policy kept most Jewish refugees out of America, even as Hitler and the Nazis closed in. In 1944, the United States finally acted. That year, Franklin D. Roosevelt created the War Refugee Board, and put a young Treasury lawyer named John Pehle in charge. 

Over the next twenty months, Pehle pulled together a team of D.C. pencil pushers, international relief workers, smugglers, diplomats, millionaires, and rabble-rousers to run operations across four continents and a dozen countries. Together, they tricked the Nazis, forged identity papers, maneuvered food and medicine into concentration camps, recruited spies, leaked news stories, laundered money, negotiated ransoms, and funneled millions of dollars into Europe. They bought weapons for the French Resistance and sliced red tape to allow Jewish refugees to escape to Palestine. In this remarkable work of historical reclamation, Holocaust historian Rebecca Erbelding pieces together years of research and newly uncovered archival materials to tell the dramatic story of America’s little-known efforts to save the Jews of Europe.