ECU Libraries Catalog

The Jews should keep quiet : Franklin D. Roosevelt, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, and the Holocaust / Rafael Medoff.

Author/creator Medoff, Rafael, 1959- author.
Format Book and Print
Publication Info Lincoln : University of Nebraska Press ; Philadelphia : The Jewish Publication Society, [2019]
Descriptionxvi, 387 pages ; 24 cm.
Supplemental Content Book review (H-Net Reviews, February, 2020)
Subject(s)
Portion of title Franklin D. Roosevelt, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, and the Holocaust
Series Jewish Publication Society book
Jewish Publication Society series. ^A1383742
Contents Introduction: "If only he would do something for my people!" -- Nothing but indifference -- In search of havens -- Silence and its consequences -- Suppressing the dissidents -- The politics of rescue -- FDR, Wise, and Palestine -- The failure to bomb Auschwitz -- Antisemitism in the White House -- Conclusion: A President's strategy and a rabbi's anguish.
Abstract "Based on recently discovered documents, The Jews Should Keep Quiet reassesses the hows and whys behind the Franklin D. Roosevelt administrations fateful policies during the Holocaust. Rafael Medoff delves into difficult truths: With FDRs consent, the administration deliberately suppressed European immigration far below the limits set by U.S. law. His administration also refused to admit Jewish refugees to the U.S. Virgin Islands, dismissed proposals to use empty Liberty ships returning from Europe to carry refugees, and rejected pleas to drop bombs on the railways leading to Auschwitz, even while American planes were bombing targets only a few miles away-actions that would not have conflicted with the larger goal of winning the war. What motivated FDR? Medoff explores the sensitive question of the presidents private sentiments toward Jews. Unmasking strong parallels between Roosevelts statements regarding Jews and Asians, he connects the administrations policies of excluding Jewish refugees and interning Japanese Americans"--Publisher's description.
Abstract "The Jews Should Keep Quiet further reveals how FDRs personal relationship with Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, American Jewrys foremost leader in the 1930s and 1940s, swayed the U.S. response to the Holocaust. Documenting how Roosevelt and others pressured Wise to stifle American Jewish criticism of FDRs policies, Medoff chronicles how and why the American Jewish community largely fell in line with Wise. Ultimately Medoff weighs the administrations realistic options for rescue action, which, if taken, would have saved many lives"--Publisher's description.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
LCCN 2018052333
ISBN9780827614703 hardcover alkaline paper
ISBN0827614705 hardcover alkaline paper
ISBN082761831X hardcover alkaline paper
ISBN9780827618312 hardcover alkaline paper
ISBN0827618301 hardcover alkaline paper
ISBN9780827618305 hardcover alkaline paper
ISBNelectronic book
ISBNelectronic book
ISBNelectronic book
ISBNelectronic book
ISBN9780827615199 (paperback : alk. paper)
ISBN0827615191

Available Items

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks D804.45.U55 M42 2019 ✔ Available Place Hold