Eichmann's Jews

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The collaboration of Jews with the Nazi regime during the Holocaust is a complex and sensitive issue. How could individuals be compelled to assist in their own destruction? This study examines the role of the 'Judenrat' or Jewish Council in Holocaust Vienna, where Eichmann developed his model for Nazi Jewish policy from 1938 onward. The leaders of the Viennese Jewish community served as prototypes for subsequent Jewish councils. By focusing on Vienna, the research provides a unique perspective on how the Nazi regime integrated the Jewish community into its machinery of destruction. Utilizing newly discovered archives and extensive interviews, the author analyzes the actions of individual Jews and organizations, revealing that their strategies to protect themselves and others were ultimately futile. This insightful account sheds light on the harrowing reality faced by victims: confronted with the stark choice between death and cooperation, many opted for cooperation, hoping their actions might represent the lesser evil.