endnotes Flashcards
Druysk
part of Russian empire and later part of Poland
Tzitzit
tassels worn by observan tjews on four cornered garments
tallit
prayer shawl
misnagdim
Hebrew word means opponents aka Vilna Goan often used by European Jews to refer to Ashkenazi Jews who opposed the rise and spread of Hasidic Judaism
Hasidism
troubled many traditional rabbis. felt it may be a false messiah movement.
Rabbi Israel ben ELiezer
founder of Hasidim
Lithuanian approach to Judaism was
concentration on highly intellectual Talmud study. Lithuania was the heartland of traditional opposition to Hasidism.
Opposition of the Vilna Goan
two bans against Hasidism came as early as 1772. Vilna Goan galvanized opposition to Hasidism. Believed claims of miracles were lies. Main point of oppostition was greatness lies in Torah.
Hasidism’s changes and challenges
most of the changes to Hasidism were product of Hasidic approach to Kaballah. the stress of prayer over study was seen as a threat to traditional Jewish views.
Hasidism did not follow the traditional Ashkenazi prayer rite and instead
used a rite that was a combination of AShkenazi and Sephardic rites based on Kabbalistic concepts
Hasidic jews also added some strict stringencies on
keeping things kosher
In many places, persecutions were instituted against the
hasidism
the leaders of Hasidism were denounced to the Russian government as
agitators and teachers of heresy
labeling Hasidism smart
Hebrew for pious and saintly
called opponents to Hasidism mitnagdim
Hebrew for opponents
naming made Hasidism seem more
dynamic and positive
with passage of time Hasidism and Mitnagdims realized that their differences were
largely inconsequential especially when they faced a common enemy the jewish enlightenment. feared their children would become irreligious; also Hasidism started to also rely on Talmud study
simcha shel mizpah
Hassidic joy of performing a commandment
flax
annual plant with tender stems, green leaves, pale blue flowers, one of worlds oldest fiber crops
flu
h1n1 in 1915? Spanish flu? precursor wave helps planning even now
Kraslava Latvia
During 1920-1935 jews increased 24000 to 44000 . Interwar was a good place to live for Jews. Then Russian occupation and holocaust came
shoemakers
early to mid 20th century shoes were still made by hand. Since they were handmade they were very expensive
Kristallnacht
pogroms against GErmany’s jews started in Nov 9 1938 by the Nazis translates as Night of Broken glass, A jewish teenager assassinated a german diplomat in Paris. Portrayed as spontaneous bit were really planned and calculated attacks against the Jews; culminated the escalating violence against Jews that began after incorporating Austria into the Reich in 1938
Nazi-Soviet Pact
aka Hitler/Stalin Pact in theory a non aggression pact between the Soviet Union and German Reich signed in Moscow August 1939 by Molotov and vonRibbentrop lasted until Operation Barbossa June 1941
secret protocols on Nazi-soviet pact
independent countries including Lithuania were divided into spheres of interest so it made it more like a military aggression alliance
Operation Barbossa
dec 18 1840 hitler signed war directive #21 to crush Soviet Union in a quick campaign; names after a leader of the third crusade in the 12th century; marked downturn for Nazi fortunes
Hitlers generals advised him against fighting a
two front war
fierce resistance here sent Germans back a bit
Moscow; Russia’s victory cost the lives of 28 million Russians
born in Essen-Steele Germany on 7-6-1885 joined German army in 1904, served on Western front during WW1 , ardent supporter of Nazi party , Hitler appointed him Major General
Ernest Busch who told Hitler to take Czechoslavakia. Most other generals told him to move with caution. Took part in Operation Barbossa; surrendered later, was a prisoner of war and died in captivity
Kovno
between the world wars industry prospered here. It was the largest city in Lithuania. It 1940 it was annexed by the USSR. had a Jewish population of 37,000 often attacked by anti communist Lithuanians. 3700 were killed then others moved to a concentration camp. Many more were shot at Ninth Fort.
Ninth Fo
In 1944 when the Soviets moved in it became known as the Fort of Death and prisoners were dispersed to other camps. After WW2 the Soviets used it as a prison for a few years.
Vidzy/Widze
Prior to WW1 was part of Russian Empire. Became part of Poland in 1920. In 1939 the Soviets entered and gave it to Lithuania. In 1941 when the nAZI Germans took over it was incorporated into Belarus under the Soviets IN 1945.. Today it is the NW part of Belarus near Lthuania and Latvia.
4th largest marketplace in Lithuania. Established over 500 years ago under Lithuania has been the site of many wars.
Russians/Swedes
Lithuanians/Poles
Germans/Russians
Prior to WW1 belonged to Russia then Lithuania later Nazi Germany Finally Belarus (like many towns in the Vilna district)
Deportation
winter of 1942 Jews from Druysk and move to city of Vidzy or ghetto of Braslav. Gentiles waited to grab the Jews property. Some jumped sleighs and escaped. The pits were behind Braslav. Work was organized for them at Vidzy.
The End Game
the ghetto was surrounded by Lithuanian collaborators; those useful for work were moved to Latvia and Estonia work camps.
Swieciany
1300 Jews in Vidzy were transferred here to a small ghetto. Poor conditions led to typhus. Those with useful professions were then moved to Vilna others went to Kosvo. Lithuanian police took the ones meant for Kosvo to their deaths at Ponar. Their was chaos. Most still died.
Ponar
Jews had to dig up and burn the bodies of fellow 10s of 1000s of Jews. They were put in a pit to sleep with the ladder pulled out each night. 15 did escape into the woods and met up with the partisans.
Braslav
small town in Belarus; in Poland until 1795 and again between 1921 and 1939.
The Holocaust Period in Braslav
In 1941 there were 2500 jews in Braslav. City was captured by the Germans in June 1941. Jews were removed to swamp for 2 days. Jewish property stolen by local population. Contribution of 100,000 rubles was expected from the Jewish population. By April 1942 a ghetto for the Jews was established. Ghetto divided into productive and nonproductive. First Atkion on June 3 1942 3000+ killed local farmers helped Germans kill. Autumn of 1942 ghetto turned into a work camp. March 1943 Nazis liquidated the camp some Jews offered armed resistance.
Babi Yar
by 1941 the focus of the mobile killing units had changed. They had 4 main divisions A,B,C,D. Operated behind German troops eliminating undesirables. Stripped, shot and buried. One of the most brutal assassinations was at a ravine called Babi Yar near Ukranian city of Kiev.
Cordwainer (new leather) or Cobbler (old leather)
name for a shoemaker
sonderkommandos
groups of Jewish young prisoners picked for their youth whose job was to dispose of corpses
coal tar soap
antiseptic soap orange in color made from the byproduct of distillation of coal
black drawing salve
distilled from high sulphur oil shale ; brings splinters to surface, used for boils and carbuncles
medicinal effects of urine
old urine contains high concentration of ammonia; urine is a byproduct of blood filtration it is NOT excess water. Toxins go to stool. urine is antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral. contains urea.
pripetchik
fireplace with warming oven on top
kaddish
prayer that praises god and asks for an establishment of his kingdom here on earth; recited by mourners at funerals; kaddish means santification
Displaced Persons camp or DP camp
Following WW2 several hundred thousand Jewish people remained in these camps.
Zeigenhain
a DP camp in Frankfurt’s American zone
Talmud torah
Jewish religious elementary school
mikve
jewish ritual bath; submersion in pool; ritual cleanse
Eschwege
German airforce base became an America zone DP camp
cheder
traditional religious school for young children
yeshiva
religious academy
UNRRA
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration provided relief to areas liberated by Axis powers and helped 8 million refugees.
The Betar movement
Revisonist Zioist youth movement founded in 1923 in Latvia. played role in fight against British and founding of Israel. Ideaology is summarized in the poem Shir Betar, modeled on ideas of courage, selfrespect, military training, defense of Jewish life and settlement in Israel toward the creation of a Jewish state
Mussolini
encouraged ancient values of Italians and was anticommunist; Betar movement liked this
largest centre of Jewish population in world was in
Poland
During the 1930s and 1940s Betar organized illegal transport of jews to
Israel; saved about 40000 potential Holocaust victims
International Red Cross
97 million volunteers worldwide; humanitarian movement; protect human life and health; ensure respect; protect from suffering without discrimination
Henry Dunant
went to Italy to talk to Napolean; witnessed battle with 40000 casualties. start of red cross
Holocaust
Jews and gypsies murdered in cold blood ; Red cross guilty of not throwing its full weight around
soap
rumored that the Nazis made soap from the bodies; probably just stories psychological sadism. Rhineland Industrial Production. Did try experiments on human fat of Polish =,
musar movement
a jewish moral movement
1) study Talmud by conduct as well
2) do not withdrawl from daily life
3) emotional and intellectual leaders
4) recite bible passages that evoke emotion
5) self examination by student
6) relevance as alternative to Reform
Rabbi Israel Salanter
born 1810 Lithuania followed rabbi with quality of humility studied musar head of yeshivah in Vilna musar is Hebrew for ethics did work on Sabbath (Shabbat) during cholera epidemic laws of Torah aside to save lives left Vilna moved to Kovno transformed into Orthodox community
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement
SAlanter said eat anyway (maintain health)
chicken farms in South Jersey
Hirsch fund established an agricultural school
provided startup money for chicken and egg farmers
in Woodbine and Vineland areas
depression hit
stayed on farms at least you could eat eggs
by 1960s egg prices dropped
corporate agribusiness
left for better homes/ better schools
Harold George Belafonte Jr
Jamaican born 1927 actor and social activist king of calypso banana boat song day-o first black man to win an emmy "turn the world around"
Reform Judaism
guiding principle is autonomy of the individual
right to decide whether to subscribe to a relief or a practice
beliefs and practices embodied in Torah
differ from observant Jews ritually
believe evolve to survive
accepts and encourages pluralism not uniformity in practice
tikkum olam
dedicated to improvement of the world
4 types of Judaism
Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist or Orthodox
K’lal Yisrael
worldwide community of Jewry
mitzvot
sacred and time hallowed acts
kosher
some animals may not be eaten at all (pig hare)
animals that may be eaten (cloven hoof and chew cud)
yes fins scales
no shellfish
no birds of prey or scavengers
must be killed in accordance with law
blood must be drained out before eaten
certain parts of allowed animals not to be eaten
fruits and veggies yes (must inspect for bugs)
meat can not be eaten with dairy
fruits and veggies not eaten with meat
utensils touch meat cannot touch dairy
grape products made by nonjews may not be eaten
orthodox judaism
written and oral torah are of divine origin contain exact words of god without any human influence
strictly follow written law of torah
laws concern dress, food, sex, family relations, social behavior, Sabbath, holidays and more
term only emerged as a result of other branches of Judaism emerging
views itself as continuation of beliefs and practices of normative Judaism from Mt Sinai and successive generations.
modern a bit more liberal and a bit more Zionistic
ultra orthodox critical of modern society
13 principles of faith in Orthodox Judaism
1) god creator and ruler
2) god is one
3) god does not have a body
4) god is first and last
5) pray only to god
6) words of prophets are true
7) prophecy of moses is true; chief of all prophets
8) torah was given to moses
9) torah will not be changed and there will never be another
10) god knows mans deeds and thoughts
11) god rewards those who keep his commandments and punishes those who do not
12) there is a coming of the Messiah
13) dead will be brought back to life when god wills it
conservative judaism
roots stretch back to 1880s
call for unity
calls for the whole of Jewish community
also a jewry based on the north American experience
a jewry related to modern living
a jewry devoted to torah with education a priority
a jewry normatively halachic (interwoven between religion and life??)
Conservative Judaism maintains
writings come from God but were transmitted by humans and contain a human component
believes laws should change and adapt
idea of flexibility
National 1) centrality of modern Israel 2) Hebrew irreplaceable language 3) devotion to the whole Jewish community Religious 4) defining role of torah in reshaping Judaism 5) study of torah 6) governance of Judaism by Halakhah overarching 7) belief in God
