ORT, the Second World War and the Rehabilitation of Holocaust Survivors

For many Jewish refugees the joy of liberation soon gave way to the realisation that they were alone. The home they had before was no longer and passage out of Europe was severely restricted. They would face the problem of how to earn a living: some had not finished school, others needed new skills. This book explores World ORT's work in the wartime ghettos, where ORT had prolonged lives by providing workshops that temporarily exempted trainees from transports east, and also in the Displaced Person camps, where ORT set about rebuilding lives by preparing Survivors for the future with vocational training and apprenticeships as well as psychological support, which sheds light on an often overlooked part of Holocaust history. ORT helped imprisoned and demoralised Jewish communities; it transcended differences and divisions by offering help to all Jews, irrespective of political or religious allegiances. In exploring the dignity and hope ORT provided this book not only tells the story of those imprisoned in the ghettos of eastern Europe and those languishing in the DP camps, it also provides insights into the shape of Europe and Israel today.

Dr Sarah Kavanaugh completed her PhD at Southampton University in 2003 under the supervision of Professor David Cesarani. She has been working as a researcher in the History Department of Royal Holloway, University of London and at World ORT since September 2005.

Foreword by David Cesarani Foreword by Robert Singer Acknowledgements Introduction: ORT and Displaced Persons, Historiography and Methodology 1 ORT and the Pre-War Years 2 ORT’ s Work during the Second World War and Life in the Ghettos 3 The Liberation of the Concentration Camps and the Arrival of the ORT Missions, 1945– 46 4 Life in the DP Camps: ORT and the Mature Period of Work, 1946– 48 5 The End of the DP Camps, Israel and Emigration Conclusion Bibliography Index