Israel
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Before delving into the main story, it’s important to discuss the events that led up to it. The Farhud Pogrom: A Forgotten Tragedy The Farhud, meaning “violent dispossession” in Arabic, was a devastating pogrom against the Jewish community in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 1–2, 1941. This dark chapter in Jewish history not only marked a…
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Hans Frank was a prominent figure in Nazi Germany, serving as Adolf Hitler’s personal legal advisor and later as the Governor-General of occupied Poland. Born on May 23, 1900, in Karlsruhe, Germany, Frank was initially trained as a lawyer, joining the Nazi Party in 1923. He quickly rose through the ranks by aligning himself closely…
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As of April 29, 1942, Jews in the Netherlands were required to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothing. This was to single them out as different from the rest of society. Although the only difference between the Jews and the rest of the Dutch population was their religion. Other then that they…
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(Repost from October 18, 2023, reposting this because reportedly one of the terrorists is being released as part of the cease fire agreement)) This is my interview with Tal Hartuv, an artist who also serves as a guide and educator with Yad Vashem. In 2010, she endured a horrific attack by two Hamas terrorists disguised…
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731 Days of Darkness It’s been 731 days—two years of nights that never end.The sun still rises,but for too many, it doesn’t shine. October 7—a date carved into hearts,a wound that doesn’t close.The world moved on,but the screams still echoin homes that stand half-empty,in chairs that stay untouched at the table. Children still waketo the…
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Suicide: A Difficult but Important Topic in the Context of the Holocaust Suicide can be a controversial topic, but in the context of the Holocaust, I believe it’s an important subject to address. I’ve said before that I don’t believe the often-cited number of six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust is entirely accurate. I…
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Eighty-three years ago today, Edie (Elias) van Biene and Sara (Sonja) Rood were married in The Hague. Just a few days ago, I celebrated my own 30th wedding anniversary. It was a hot day, and I still vividly remember our first dance, the kiss, and our first night of passionate love as a married couple—each…
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The meeting between Adolf Hitler and Hajj Amin al-Husayni on November 28, 1941, in Berlin represents a significant, though often overlooked, episode in the broader context of World War II and the Middle Eastern political landscape of the time. Hajj Amin al-Husayni, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, was a key Palestinian nationalist leader, and his…
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The Farhud, which translates to “violent dispossession,” was a violent pogrom against the Jewish population of Baghdad, Iraq, that occurred on June 1-2, 1941. This tragic event is considered one of the most significant anti-Jewish riots in the Middle East prior to the establishment of the State of Israel. The Farhud took place during World…
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This morning, while driving home from my weekly shopping trip, I was listening to Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” Originally released as the fourth single from their 2004 album American Idiot, the song was written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. It reflects on the death of his father in September 1982 and…
History of Sorts 