Resisting the storm : Romania, 1940-1947 : memoirs

Şafran, Chief-Rabbi of Romania between 1940-47, recalls his struggle, as a member of the Senate, against antisemitic legislation and discriminatory measures. Describes the pogroms in Bucharest (January 1941) and Iaşi (June 1941), the massacre of thousands of Jews from Bessarabia and Bukovina in 1941, and the deportation of Jews to Transnistria. Gives details on his meetings with Romanian leaders (Ion and Mihai Antonescu) and heads of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and his efforts, together with W. Filderman, to prevent further deportations. Emphasizes the efforts of the Papal Nuncio Andrea Cassulo, the Red Cross delegate, King Mihai I and the Queen Mother Elena, in the same cause. Notes the negative role of the Jewish Center, a "Judenrat" appointed by Romanian authorities. Surveys the activities of the underground Jewish Council on behalf of deported Jews and the rescue of Jewish refugees from Transylvania and Hungary in 1944. Pp. 319-401 contain documents. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. 464 pages, 32 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, facsimiles ; 25 cm