The horrors of the Holocaust demand of us more than mere remembrance or commemoration.
It is commendable that we have erected monuments for the six million and that we light candles in the memory of those who were so cruelly murdered. But lit candles do not enlighten us nor do they assist us to understand the events of the past in a manner that will help us to prevent a reoccurrence.
More than memorials, what will in the long run prove far more significant is the kind of work based on serious research that permits us insight into the truths – often hidden or buried from public view – that made the Holocaust possible. To reveal them is to pay the victims the greatest tribute of all by making their fate an impossibility for the future.
And that, I believe, is what makes three groundbreaking works of the past few weeks so very important.
The first is a new book, Hunt for the Jews: Betrayal and Murder in German-Occupied
Poland, published this October. Written by Polish historian Jan Grabowski, the son of a Holocaust survivor, a graduate of Warsaw University and currently a history professor at University of Ottawa, it records the massacres of Jews by their neighbors in his native Poland, until now a little-told chapter of Holocaust history.
Grabowski has suffered death threats but insists he will not give up his struggle to expose the truth.
Boycotted in the Canadian Polish community where he lives today, and no longer welcome in his homeland, Grabowski has suffered death threats but insists he will not give up his struggle to expose the truth.
“The purpose of my research was to discover the condition of the Jews who managed to avoid being sent to death camps and chose to live in hiding. My research brought me to the level of individual cases of people who chose to hide. I tried to understand how only very few of those Jews who decided to hide were able to stay alive until 1945,” says Grabowski.
Grabowski interviewed Holocaust survivors and local residents, primarily in Poland, Israel and Germany. In addition, he studied previously unpublished results of dozens of trials of Polish residents tried by the Communist regime for taking part in the killing of their Jewish neighbors.
To his dismay, Grabowski has found many Poles are still not ready to face the past and the fact that many of their ancestors took an active part in the extermination of the Jews.
Neighbors of Jedwabne
The same theme is the message of the movie Pokłosie (Aftermath), which hit the screens in Poland last November and will open this week in the US. Based on Princeton professor Jan Gross’s explosive 2001 work Neighbors, it examines the massacre of Jews from Jedwabne village in Nazi-occupied Poland and reveals that it was the Poles, not the Nazis, who were to blame.
“One day, in July 1941, half of the population of a small east European town murdered the other half – some 1,600 men, women and children."
“One day, in July 1941, half of the population of a small east European town murdered the other half – some 1,600 men, women and children." This is how historian Jan Gross summarized the massacre that occurred in Jedwabne, in northeastern Poland. Gross described the atrocities in almost unbearable detail: Men and women were hacked to death with knives, iron hooks, and axes. Small children were thrown with pitchforks onto a bonfire. A woman's decapitated head was kicked like a football. Local townsmen-turned-hooligans grabbed clubs studded with nails and other weapons and chased the Jews into the street. Many tried to escape through the surrounding fields, but only seven succeeded. The thugs fatally shot many Jews after forcing them to dig mass graves. They shoved the remaining hundreds of Jews into a barn, doused it with kerosene and set it ablaze. Some on the outside played musical instruments to drown out the victims' cries.
Till now historians blamed the massacre on the Nazis. Gross argues that “a virulent Polish anti-Semitism was liberated by German occupation.” Neighbors sets the record straight as to the identity of the criminals. As Publishers Weekly puts it, “In doing so, Gross has ensured that future histories of the Holocaust, particularly in Poland, will be more honest, because future historians will be answerable to his argument that the evil of the Nazis was not only forced on the Poles. In places such as Jedwabne, it was welcomed by them.”
The new film, Aftermath, brings that message forcefully to the screen. And like Grabowski, the film’s star Maciej Stuhr has already received death threats, and in several online forums there were comments such as “You are not a Pole anymore, you have become a Jew.”
Women & Genocide
Finally, there is one more addition to most recent Holocaust literature that deserves to be mentioned for its groundbreaking information. Published in October of this year as well, Hitler’s Furies is the exquisitely researched new work by Wendy Lower, already a finalist for the National Book Award.
Lower forces us to knowledge that historians have till now ignored the role of German women in the story of Nazi genocide and Hitler’s plan for the “final solution.” Her book is a deeply disturbing chronicle of women’s participation in the Holocaust, not only as “desk murderers” — secretaries and administrators whose weapon was not a Luger or a gas chamber but a typewriter — but also, as Lower reveals in chilling detail, capable of the same savagery as their male counterparts. This she takes pains to emphasize is a fact often overlooked by Holocaust scholars and historians, a shocking truth whose evidence has been hidden for more than 70 years. “Genocide,” as Lower puts it, “can be women’s business as well.”
It is now more than half a century after the Holocaust. Living witnesses will soon no longer be available to us. All we will be left with is their records, their testimonies, and their stories. Our mission is to make sense of them in a way that will help insure that the insanity of that time never again stain the history of civilization. Research that uncovers the truth needs to be valued as noble and necessary efforts towards that goal.
(29) Kenan Moss, December 20, 2013 3:50 PM
Pope John Paul ll and anti-semitism
All this brings to mind the convent built in the grounds of Auschwitz. The then Pope's reaction was that he had no power to intervene in the internal affairs of the Polish Church: this despite Cardinal Glemp's reply to the Jewish objection to the building on land which will forever be sacred to the memory of our family. Glemp said "this is just one more example of the centuries long persecution of the Polish people by the Jews". Was John Paul ll's respose appropriate; was it true? It was neither. In the case of the vast network of paedophilia protected by the chuch, the micro-management of the church by him was clearly the reason for the decission that the church was imputable.
(28) RebYid, November 15, 2013 5:04 AM
It seems that the Poles are also part of Amalek in their quest to eradicate world Jewry. Even though they may not be of the same ethnicity, their egregious monstrosities that they committed against the Jews is manifested in the fact that they have many things in common with Amalek. Only someone as evil as Amalek could've done what the Nazis did.
(27) Beverly Kurtin, November 14, 2013 4:08 PM
New York
Europe is not alone in its new rising Jew hate. I cannot wait to get that book to give to one of my Polish neighbors. I will bet that she will deny that it never happened.
The places we need to go RIGHT NOW are the schools and the churches to tell them what has happened and what is happening RIGHT NOW.
There CAN be another Holocaust and it CAN happen in the United States.
This Jew will not sit idly around waiting for it to happen again; I'm fighting it here where I live; all Jews need to do the same.
Richard Feldman, January 20, 2017 1:22 PM
Bringing exhibit to New York called Life in the Bedzin Ghetto, Before, During and After the Holocaust.
I'm working on a project to bring an exhibit: Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto Before, During and After the Holocaust to New York from the Martin-Springer Institute in Arizona. (Bedzin was one of the first towns attacked in Poland on September 1, 1939. The whole region of Zaglembie which includes the town of Oswiecim was made Judenfrei). If you are interested in learning more about this exhibit or want to help this project please contact me. Thanks
(26) Lea, November 13, 2013 7:52 PM
Thank you for this
I'm sorry that there are those who are commenting that they don't want to hear it any more. So to them I say, click to another page, put your head in the sand... but watch your back.
None of this is news to me. Although both my parents were born in the US (first generation) they made it clear to me what the Poles did. I have always known about the hatred of the Poles and the French as well (did I mention the Ukranians?). This is the ugliness of humanity and that ugliness and hatred is not dead.
My simple warning? If you are a Jew today, don't get too comfortable. Every time the Jews are attacked it looks different. Inquisition, pogroms, holocaust... it will come around again and it won't look like anything you've seen before. Have a valid passport and be ready to run home to Israel.
That said, I don't spend my time hating the Poles, but I do not trust them (or the French or Obama!). The truth should be known and noted.
Then, do all the good you can do in the world to tip the scales!
Galit, December 22, 2013 10:12 PM
Lea is spot on!
Persecution will come around again, and in new disguises every-time. The next one may be disguised as a 'good deal' for the Jews.
Catrina, March 16, 2015 1:48 AM
Beware 'Peace Deals' !
All the more reason to be highly suspicious of Middle East 'peace deals' brokered -if not forced - by ambitious U.S. presidents way more concerned with re-election or their 'place in the historybooks' than the safety of Israel and the corresponding wellbeing of the Jewish people !
Bernie Rosenberg, December 24, 2013 5:46 AM
hear,hear. you've hit the nail right on the head.
(25) Pont, November 13, 2013 12:20 AM
Land for the Jewish people in Poland
They owe the Jewish people land and some land should be
taken from Polamd and given to the Jewish people for the suffering the Poles have caused. There are only 8 thousand Jewish people left. And they turned them over to the Nazi the Poles. Or the jewish people must not buy Polish goods. More Jewish people are still leaving. This is why we need this land.
(24) Anonymous, November 12, 2013 6:58 PM
Enough
Please, there is just too much interest in the Nazi's and Hitler, and the Holocaust, and Genocide, and ethnic cleansing. What is happening is not awareness, but awe to some people. People today are just crazy, more-so than in the 40s and the past, and will do anything to get their names in the paper, internet, or into the history books. My advice is, what has been said already is all that should be said. There is nothing new under the sun, and what we hear now we already heard before. Just remember what Hashem told us, to Love your neighbor as thyself and Love your God with all your heart and mind, strength, and soul, and you will be rewarded and will attain the Kingdom as promised to our forefathers "on the last day".
Hold those dear to you, especially those who have been wronged, close to your heart and remember to pray for them when they come to mind. It is then that they are close to you and you can communicate with them through prayer. We do not need to bring more attention to us than we have already, with even more books, editorials, memorials and speeches to explain what had happened. Let's concentrate on the good people that have helped us through the years and the wars and persecutions of the past. Those are the people that need recognition and Walk on the Path of Righteousness. Those are the people that we need to emphasize and extol their virtues.
Lori, October 3, 2018 4:33 PM
Thank you!!!
(23) Anonymous, November 11, 2013 11:03 PM
Two more books of interest along this vein of thought
"Neighbors" discusses the actions of everyday Poles. Here are two other books of possible interest: "Hitler's Willing Executioners" by Daniel J. Goldhagen discusses the actions of everyday Germans in mobilizing and perpetuating the Holocaust and "A Moral Reckoning" by the same author discusses the Catholic Church's part in letting th Holocaust proceed. All of these books do not dsicuss the Holocaust in general, accusatory statements but rather, discusses specific events and specific "ordinary" people and groups of people who savagely turned on their Jewish neighbors when given the opportunity. Worth reading.
(22) Patti Zentara, November 11, 2013 10:45 PM
Poles and the Holocaust
I sometimes think that because so many Nazis escaped punishment , there is a revenge that lingers for justice. I see no
point in all this hatred of Poles. Rarely, do I ever hear of the
Poles who died at Nazi hands. Hitler did not like the Poles, either! There is so much hate in this world~ and we want to
revive old hates? I think that is terrible. Rarely is credit given to
the Poles who helped save Jewish lives.
(21) Anonymous, November 11, 2013 8:51 PM
France also
Did anyone read Sarah's Key, or see the movie? It was not the Nazis, but the French who rounded up Jewish people.
(20) Anne, November 11, 2013 8:01 PM
Not an accident
It was not a coiincidence that the camps were located in Poland, with the enthusiiastic help of the Poles
Anonymous, November 14, 2013 6:02 PM
Stop ignorance
Most european jewry lived in Poland so it was the most optimal location for the camps!
Kenan Moss, December 23, 2013 7:09 PM
Stop ignorance? I agree
The majority of the Jews of Europe did not live in Poland and a quick look at the map of the continent will clearly show the logistic nightmare that faced Eichmann in transporting Jews from the ends of Reich to the Polish camps. Hitlers opinion that the Poles were more reliable partners in his project than were the Germans (and I don't absolve them of guilt either) is clearly demonstrated by the fate of Jews who did escape and went into hiding: the number that survived is infinitesmal. Consider also that the last murderous attacks on Jews were made after the Germans had been expelled from Poland. The reaction of the Russian authorities to formal complaints lodged was: "What should we do? Send 20,000,000 poles to Siberia."
(19) Chava, November 11, 2013 3:45 PM
Again, and again
The only explanation for the sin of hate is the evil of men's hearts together mixed with the satanic impetus to destroy the children of the Most High. Israel is His chosen son, and from whom the Maschiach comes.
The end of anti-semitism will come when Maschiach arrives and not before...no matter how we educate ourselves and others. It is not finally a matter of education...but, a matter of the heart.
(18) roz lieber, November 11, 2013 2:27 PM
I will always remember my father-in-law (rest in peace) saying that when he was liberated from Auschwitz he wanted to go back to his village which was in Silesia. People told him not to go because they were still killing Jews. He never went back.
(17) lula, November 11, 2013 12:58 PM
poland. woman. and the Holocaust
Please God. Protect us against Dante's Hell on Earth. It happened once and human mind can get mad & crazy again...lets do whatever we have to do to prevent it
(16) Michoel Kelmar, November 11, 2013 1:46 AM
"help us to prevent a reoccurrence"
I like Rabbi Blech's article very much and agree that historical accuracy is important. However, he does not develop his contention that this type of research will help us prevent a reoccurrence. Why should it. The Holocaust was an act of God, inexplicable in natural terms. Understanding that many Poles or women participated along with Nazi males cannot help to keep it from reoccurring chas v'shalom
(15) A.R. Cohen, November 11, 2013 12:26 AM
I am 70 and lived with Survivors - but THIS - I never knew!
What is there left to say over the tears? Asia
(14) Em, November 10, 2013 11:21 PM
As we can see from current world events, understanding the past may not help much for the future. How is all the above helping to prevent terrorism and everything anti-israel? Because this is the new style antisemitism and its growing. The hearts of the non- Jewish kings are in G-d's hands. HE decides. OUR job is to increase in torah and mitzvos and ahavas yisroel. THIS endures Hashem's protection, more than all the research and understanding in the world. Torah has kept the Yidden to survive throughout the ages, not the strength of our hands. Like Chanuka. Also theholocaust in perspective - the Yidden have had many holocausts in various forms throughout the ages starting from Lavan as it says in the haggada. We even had TEN tribes taken away/dissappear! The Torah says "Esav hates Yakov" and you cant get away from that until Moshiach comes. I still appreciate this article, it is historically informative.
(13) Eva, November 10, 2013 10:28 PM
Not just the Poles
My 91 yr old mother lives with me. She lived in Munkacs, Czechoslovakia. She describes how her neighbors were standing outside and applauding as she and her family were led out of their home and sent to Auschvitz. So it was not only the Poles who welcomed it . Next up: the Lithuanians. And then the Ukaranians. And then...ad nauseuim.
(12) SYLVIA HOPEBERMAN, November 10, 2013 10:09 PM
I WAS LIVING IN JERUSALEM ,1973,I AM ANAMERICAN REGISTERED NURSE AND MOVED TO ISRAEL.
I WORKED WITH A TEAM OF DOCTORS ALL FROM DIFFERENT AREAS WHO MADE ALIYAH.
ONE WAS FROM POLAND .
HIS MEDICAL EDUCATION WAS IN GERMANY AND HE AND HIS WIFE A PEDIATRICIAN MOVED BACK TO POLAND AND WAS INTERRED IN THE WARSAW GHETTO,,,,HE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL MEDICINE AND SHE A DIRECTOR OF PEDIATRICS IN WARSAW BEFORE INTERRMENT.
ONE DAY A FELLOW ASSOCIATE CHRISTIAN DOCTOR CAME TO VISIT THEM IN THE GHETTO.HE TOLD THEM HE WOULD COME THE NEXT DAY WITH A WAGON WITH STRAW AND TO BE READY TO ESCAPE IN THE WAGON HIDDEN.
THIS HAPPENED AND HE MANAGED TO LEAVE WITH THEM AND TOOK THEM TO HIS HOME OUTSIDE OF WARSAW AND HID THEM IN HIS BASEMENT WHERE THEY STAYED WITHOUT SEEING DAYLIGHT FOR 2 1/2 YEARS..THEIR ASSOCIATE SHARED HIS FOOD WITH THEM FOR FEAR IF HE BOUGHT MORE THE NAZIS WOULD BE AWARE AND THE POLES WOULD TELL THE NAZIS.
THEY WERE FREED AFTER THE WAR AND WENT TO ISRAEL ON THE FIRST SHIP THAT LEFT.
THIS ASSOCIATE AND HIS 2 DAUGHTERS WERE HONORED AS THE FIRST RIGHTEOUS GENTILES INYAD VSHEM BY GOLDA MEIER.
MY FRIEND DR FELIX GOLDSTEIN
OF WARSAW,GERMANY,AND JERUSALEM SAID"THE POLES WERE WORSE THAN THE NAZIS,,,THE POLES WERE ANTISEMITES BEFORE THE NAZIS EXISTED."
WHEN VISITING THE CAMPS WITH "MARCH TO THE LIVING"I WAS THE NURSE OF A MEDICAL TEAM AND WE WALKED THRU THE TOWN TO AUSCHWITZ ..IT WAS SO OBVIOUS THAT THE POLES LIVING SO CLOSE WERE THEALSO REAL ENEMIES AND THE SMOKE AND SCREAMS FROM AUSCHWITZ WERE IN THEIR SOUNDS AND THE TRAINS PASSING THRU WERE FILLED WITH JEWS INTO BIRKENAU.I THANK U FOR THIS TRUE AND VERY NEEDED WRITING AND MAY EACH OF US PASS THIS ON TO ALL...
TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE..
ACTION AND WORDS ARE TO BE PASSED ON TO OUR GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK U.
KEEP IT ALIVE.
(11) Stella, November 10, 2013 9:43 PM
pioneers in feminism
The Nazis were pioneers in feminism. This is consistent with WOW allying themselves with groups that advocate violence against Jews,
rachel, November 17, 2013 3:35 AM
equating WOW with nazis is sick
Irrational hatred between Jews is alive and well, to judge by your comment. I oppose WOW position, but your hatred for them disgusts me.
(10) Paul, November 10, 2013 9:18 PM
I worked in Poland in 1990's. Radio Maria, Catholic station routinely blamed Jews for problems in Poland, even thought so few existed and contrary to the teachings of Pope Paul John II.
Antisemitism is in the world's DNA
susan, November 12, 2013 6:23 PM
how true anti-semitism is in the worlds DNA
It is as old as the Torah which tells us of the hatred of Esau and Yaacov. Rashi expounds that it is a halacha a known law in nature that Eisov hates Yaacov. i wish Israel would stop making unecessary concessions that will never yield peace. All concessions so far only led to more bloodshed. Have u seen any Israelis in any Arab country's parlament? or Jews living in their countries for that matter.
Why are they allowed to live and earn a living freeliy in ours and even be part of our government.
It just defies human imagination!
(9) anonymous, November 10, 2013 8:46 PM
What they will receive in Heaven will be far worse....
I cannot wrap my head around a human being stabbing a child onto a pitchfork and throwing him or her onto a bonfire. The screams alone, the twisted pained faces would force my neshama to leave my body...
Hashem yakom damam....
(8) Anonymous, November 10, 2013 7:55 PM
antipolonism of teh jewish people
every day more lies and made up stories about Polish people that gave the jewish people homeland for centuries. If any of them survived it was thanks to
Poles who sacrificed their lives and the lives of their families by the thousands to hide them.
Polish Lady seeking the truth
Jewish Mom, November 11, 2013 8:21 PM
There were those and there were others.
No need to get defensive! It is true that some Poles saved Jews, and some gentile women saved Jews - this is all well-documented. And equally well-documented in that there were virulently anti-Semitic Poles, Russians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians and so on - men and women - who were only too happy to murder Jews and loot their possessions during the Holocaust, and indeed, throughout the thousand plus years that Jews were in Europe. This is not antiPolinism or anti anything - just fact. There are good people and bad people in all nations and it's not an indictment of any individuals. Overall, the world - the USA and UK included - allowed the Holocaust to happen and didn't bomb the train tracks leading to Auschwitz, the gas chambers or the crematoria, while they bombed targets very nearby. There were very good individuals and a very evil active and silent majority that wanted Hitler to succeed...
Anonymous, April 21, 2020 7:32 PM
Well said, Jewish Mom.
To the Polish lady seeking the truth: You definitely cannot get it from the Polish government's propaganda campaign to hide the truth! In an attempt to "prove" their "innocence." they preposterously point to the too FEW honorable Poles who tried to help save Jews, all the while ignoring the documentation of overall Polish complicity with the Nazis.
So please be careful of whom you accuse of lying!
As to your claim of benevolent Poles giving the Jews a homeland for centuries, the fact is that as by and large law-abiding and productive citizens, Jews bring benefits to their host countries. Just compare virtually Jewish-free Poland today with the Poland of the last century. Going further back, look at what happened to Spain -- the world power at the time -- after the Inquisition and expulsion of the Jews, which is how some of them ended up in Poland, BTW.
But you needn't take my word for it (I'm Jewish, after all, b"H); just check out objective historical sources.
(7) Jerry Schreck, November 10, 2013 7:04 PM
Pesach Lichtman murdered by poles before WWiII
You don't have to look at wwII and later to see the murderous atrocities of the Poles. My great grandfather , Pesach Lichtman, was thrown down a well and killed on MAy 6, 1919. He was one of eleven murdered in a pogrom in Kolbuzswa Poland.
(6) Bob Kirk, November 10, 2013 6:03 PM
This needs to be widely known. Essential research. The Catholic Church taught Polish Christians to hate Jews.
I once went out briefly with a young Polish immigrant to the US. As we talked she made an anti-Jewish remark, I criticized her and asked why she was so anti-Semitic. She laughed and replied: 'All the Poles hate the Jews'. Seeing her laugh without any shame or even defensively attempt to justify her hateful prejudice as so many people do was shocking.That was the last I saw of her.
It showed once again that we ,may think a lot has changed and it has but the old hate continues and is passed down from generation to generation. Hence the importance of making the new historical research part of Polish education. The same is true for other east European nations like Hungary, Ukraine etc. Nor can we afford to ignore the continued anti-Semitism of western Europe, so often presented as anti-Israel criticism and attempts to boycott Israel, plus attempts to arrest visiting Israeli officials or military personnel.
(5) Anonymous, November 10, 2013 5:28 PM
Important but note that the historians and even actors are shunned by today's Poles. Prevention through education is not a realistic goal.
Rabbi Blech has a lovely view of mankind. Sadly htese books and films underscore the innate and consuming nature of this particular vein of hatred. Knowing all this cannot prevent anything. Staying out of their communities and not having them in our homes here, as babysitters, caregivers etc can prevent harm and hurt today. Do not offer them the opportunity to act upon this evil impulse that most of them have. These are unredeemable people who hate Jews with religious fervor, but will give up their religion before they give up their hatred.
(4) Rachel, November 10, 2013 5:03 PM
Why does your title reference only women?
This article briefly reviews three books (and films based on them.) Yet only one concerns the role of women perpetrators. And it doesn't really provide any additional information. Anyone who has even seen one of the plethora of Holocaust films would know that there were women guards at the extermination camps.
I would have preferred a more in-depth look at the final book; if that wasn't possible, the title of this article should have been different.
(3) Carmine Fragione, November 10, 2013 5:01 PM
Victims of Holocaust
What about the five million Polish Catholics, men, women and children who were slaughtered by the Nazis ? What about the seven million more Lithuanians , also mowed down, They were not chosen to go to death camps, they were summarily killed in the aggression of the Nazis , because they were not believed worth anything in ransom or hostage trades. The Jews were believed valuable as hostages for ransom. Non Jews outnumbered their deaths, of men, women and children , in immediate slaughter with no attachment of any value to anyone. What about them ?
BBS, April 21, 2020 7:04 PM
Proper focus
Indeed, the German Nazis AND their collaborators were brutal murderers who slaughtered their enemies (many more Russians than Poles among them), but their focus was on Jewish genocide.
Despite your statistics, the fact remains that too many Poles -- many, many more than those righteous ones who risked their lives to save their Jewish neighbors -- have the distinction of outdoing the Germans in cruelty; this is an established and ironic fact considering the point that Germany invaded Poland -- but collaborating with the enemy was of no concern to the anti-Semitic Poles who gleefully joined the German plan to make their country "Yudenrein.
Just consider the ludicrous position of the current Polish government : despite all the evidence that points to their overt involvement in the Holocaust of Polish Jewry, they blatantly declare it a crime to speak the truth about this shameful part of their history.
Fellow Jews, please think about this before you visit the Polish death camps that have been made suitable for tourists; you are thereby financially supporting the killers of your people!
(2) Jewish Mom, November 10, 2013 1:03 PM
Exposes are not the solution
Rabbi Blech, while it's true that many local Poles (and many gentiles from other nations), as well as German women, shared in the extermination of Jews, this knowledge alone does nothing to prevent the possibility of a future Holocaust. You yourself write that these people are receiving death threat and rejection from their surrounding society. Antisemitism is alive and (un)well worldwide as it was in the 1930s and 40s; the only exception is that then it was legally sanctioned so all hell broke loose when the festering hatred was given official license to explode into action. Perhaps your hope is that with more knowledge will come more restrictions to current expression of antisemitism. That said, it will not cure the deeply ingrained hatred. The only true solution is recognizing the root cause and correcting it. Jewish sources of wisdom have plenty to say on the topic - please address it in your next article!
(1) Anonymous, November 10, 2013 11:11 AM
Pathologies are not a common norm
Gross is a very controversial historian. Other historians criticize him because he portrays marginal cases of anti-semitism as an all-national norm. Moreover, only in the Nazi-Occupied Poland there was a decree that helping Jews will be punished by death. Nevertheless most titles of Righteous among the Nations have been awarded to Poles. It was the Polish Resistance that informed the West about the Holocaust. In general this article is very unfair to Poland. The author should be more knowledgeable and read the following for example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_of_Jews_by_Poles_during_the_Holocaust