Book Review
Rescued from the Reich: How One of Hitler's Soldiers Saved the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
By Bryan Mark Rigg
The story about Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson flight from Nazi occupied Warsaw. Ernst Bloch, a decorated Nazi officer saved the Rebbe and his entourage including his mother, Rashags family and few others. Perhaps because of his Jewish father Bloch was assigned to this task by Admiral Wilhelm Canaris. Bloch had to find the Rebbe in the occupied Warsaw, and uneasy task for a German officer. He then secretly drove the Rebbe back to Berlin hiding from SS and on to Riga.
Te rescue was initiated by Rabbi Israel Jacobson in NY and executed mainly by a lawyer named Max Rohde. It is unclear if Max Rohde actually got compensated for his amazing efforts despite his frustratingly multiple request, typicall.
What is astounding is that despite the fact that people in high position in US government were involved, including Secretary of Sate Cordell Hull, the task of bringing the Rebbe Rayatz was unbelievable bureaucratic. My conclusion after reading this book is that any other European Jew with even above average resources had no chance to be saved by America.
I can not comprehend why Rebbe�s deliverance from Bolshevik prison is festively celebrated on each 12th of Tammuz while his deliverance from Nazis is never mentioned in Lubavitch. In fact one of the Rebbe�s first words when he came to the American shores was: �The suffering I endured in prison in Russia do not compare to the torments of the 12 weeks I spent under their (Nazi) rule.�
In one of the last chapters Rigg writes that frustrated with his inability to do anything for Jews in Europe despite his attempts to approach even President Roosevelt, Rebbe turned to messianic tone and in fact opposed demonstrations on behalf of Jews in Europe. A policy later assumed by his son in law in regards to the Soviet Jewry. Author questions this position particularly in light of Rebbe�s own rescue achieved through the political channels.
Interesting is the story of a beyond belief effort by the Rebbe to save his library during the war. Through all the �didan nozach� years I never heard any of the eye opening facts.
This is an important book for the history of Jews and Lubavitch. Well written, the book is easy to read.
By Bryan Mark Rigg
The story about Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson flight from Nazi occupied Warsaw. Ernst Bloch, a decorated Nazi officer saved the Rebbe and his entourage including his mother, Rashags family and few others. Perhaps because of his Jewish father Bloch was assigned to this task by Admiral Wilhelm Canaris. Bloch had to find the Rebbe in the occupied Warsaw, and uneasy task for a German officer. He then secretly drove the Rebbe back to Berlin hiding from SS and on to Riga.
Te rescue was initiated by Rabbi Israel Jacobson in NY and executed mainly by a lawyer named Max Rohde. It is unclear if Max Rohde actually got compensated for his amazing efforts despite his frustratingly multiple request, typicall.
What is astounding is that despite the fact that people in high position in US government were involved, including Secretary of Sate Cordell Hull, the task of bringing the Rebbe Rayatz was unbelievable bureaucratic. My conclusion after reading this book is that any other European Jew with even above average resources had no chance to be saved by America.
I can not comprehend why Rebbe�s deliverance from Bolshevik prison is festively celebrated on each 12th of Tammuz while his deliverance from Nazis is never mentioned in Lubavitch. In fact one of the Rebbe�s first words when he came to the American shores was: �The suffering I endured in prison in Russia do not compare to the torments of the 12 weeks I spent under their (Nazi) rule.�
In one of the last chapters Rigg writes that frustrated with his inability to do anything for Jews in Europe despite his attempts to approach even President Roosevelt, Rebbe turned to messianic tone and in fact opposed demonstrations on behalf of Jews in Europe. A policy later assumed by his son in law in regards to the Soviet Jewry. Author questions this position particularly in light of Rebbe�s own rescue achieved through the political channels.
Interesting is the story of a beyond belief effort by the Rebbe to save his library during the war. Through all the �didan nozach� years I never heard any of the eye opening facts.
This is an important book for the history of Jews and Lubavitch. Well written, the book is easy to read.
posted by Tzemach Atlas at 8:31 PM
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