The Forgotten Memoirs

Moving personal accounts from Rabbis who survived the Holocaust

A Monumental Work of Holocaust Scholarship -- and a Masterpiece of Torah Thought

Under the direction of world-renowned Holocaust researcher Esther Farbstein, a team of scholars examined the preface of virtually every religious book published since the 1940s, looking for autobiographical material regarding the Holocaust. After two years of searching, the team found over 150 such autobiographical prefaces: a treasure of historical information and Torah wisdom.

Here is the unique perspective of rabbanim, scholars, community leaders, men steeped in Torah learning, on the Holocaust. In addition to their personal stories, they share with us answers to the most difficult of questions: What is the Torah response to Nazi evil? How does a Jew keep faith at a time of such darkness? Where does a People find the strength to rebuild?

Every entry includes a biographical sketch of the author, annotations, and a wealth of background information. Footnotes place the writings in their proper historical contexts, while maps and photos round out the picture. The Forgotten Memoirs gives us a panoramic view of the Jewish experience during the deadly Holocaust years.