I want to tell the community about Steve Sem-Sandberg’s excellent presentation about his historical novel “The Emperor of Lies” that took place at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center on Nov. 22, and that was co-sponsored by the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center.
The German Nazi liquidation of the Lodz Ghetto took place 67 years ago, as did the death of Mordachai Chaim Rumkowski, the head of the Judenrat and the subject of the book. The debate on his actions and motives will not be solved in one book or one discussion.
He was, like the others in similar positions in other ghettos, a complex case of trying to work under Nazi rule and to save lives. As can now be clearly seen, these were incompatible goals.
The presentation placed the dilemma of what we would do today squarely in our faces. How will Jews act now or in the future under similar circumstances and threats to our survival? I believe the lesson is clear — evil should not be or cannot be cooperated with under any circumstance.
Today Jews face very similar forces of hatred and evil, particularly a nuclear Iran. Let’s hope we have learned the painful lessons of Lodz. Sem-Sandburg’s discussion reinforced my own support for Israel as it confronts the evil in Iran.
Marvin J. Tick
Mequon
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