During the Second World War, Mennonites in the Netherlands, Germany, occupied Poland, and Ukraine lived in communities with Jews and close to various Nazi camps and killing sites. As a result of this proximity, Mennonites were neighbours to and witnessed the destruction of European Jews. In some cases they were beneficiaries or even enablers of the Holocaust. Much of this history was forgotten after the war, as Mennonites sought to rebuild or find new homes as refugees. The result was a myth of Mennonite innocence and ignorance that connected their own suffering during the 1930s and 1940s with earlier centuries of persecution and marginalization.

European Mennonites and the Holocaust identifies a significant number of Mennonite perpetrators, along with a smaller number of Mennonites who helped Jews survive, examining the context in which they acted. In some cases, theology led them to accept or reject Nazi ideals. In others, Mennonites chose a closer embrace of German identity as a strategy to improve their standing with Germans or for material benefit.

A powerful and unflinching examination of a difficult history, European Mennonites and the Holocaust uncovers a more complete picture of Mennonite life in these years, underscoring actions that were not always innocent.

Published in Association with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

About the Author
Mark Jantzen is a professor of History and Chair of the Department of History and Conflict Studies at Bethel College. John D. Thiesen is an archivist and co-director of libraries at Bethel College.

Reviews

"In addition to standing as an important historical study, European Mennonites and the Holocaust should prompt Anabaptists in North America - particularly white Anabaptists - to reflect on their own legacies of anti-Jewish prejudice and discern how to stand against antisemitism as part of their antiracist commitments."

-- Alain Epp Weaver * Anabaptist World *

"The value of this book reaches well be yond telling tales of depraved Mennonites. Several chap ters reflect on the thinking and rationalizations which emboldened Mennonites to reject historic Anabaptism."

-- David Giesbrecht * Roots and Branches *

"European Mennonites and the Holocaust adds telling details to the picture of Mennonites during the Nazi era ... The contributors do not shrink from addressing the gray eras, especially the question of who can be regarded as a 'Mennonite' and where boundaries are to be drawn."

-- Astrid von Schlachta * The Mennonite Quarterly Review *

"For readers who may feel overwhelmed by the volume of books and articles that have appeared in recent years, European Mennonites and the Holocaust offers an excellent summary of the current state of scholarship. Anyone looking for an entry point into the rapidly growing literature on this sober, if controversial, topic would do well to start with this collection."

-- John D. Roth, Goshen College * Directions *

"This collection will be a precious source for further archival research about these connections for future generations of Mennonite historians."

-- Sergei I. Zhuk, Ball State University * Journal of Mennonite Studies *



Book Information
ISBN 9781487525545
Author Mark Jantzen
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint University of Toronto Press
Publisher University of Toronto Press
Weight(grams) 540g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 25mm