We Remember with Reverence and Love: American Jews and the Myth of Silence after the Holocaust, 1945-1962

We Remember with Reverence and Love examines how American Jews responded to and commemorated the Holocaust in the years immediately following World War II. Through extensive research of historical documents, Diner challenges the common belief that American Jews remained largely silent about the Holocaust during the 1945-1962 period. The book documents numerous ways American Jewish communities worked to preserve Holocaust memory and assist survivors, from organizing memorial services to establishing educational programs. Diner analyzes publications, speeches, sermons, organizational records and other primary sources that demonstrate sustained engagement with Holocaust remembrance during these years. Through her historical investigation, Diner reconstructs how different segments of the American Jewish population - including religious leaders, communal organizations, and grassroots groups - approached the task of Holocaust commemoration. The book examines both public displays of remembrance and more private forms of memorial activity. This work contributes to broader discussions about historical memory, trauma, and how communities process and memorialize catastrophic events. By questioning established narratives about postwar American Jewish responses to the Holocaust, the book prompts readers to reconsider assumptions about this crucial period.

Readers appreciate Diner's thorough research that challenges the common belief that American Jews were silent about the Holocaust in the post-war period. Many note her extensive documentation of Jewish communities actively commemorating and discussing the Holocaust through various channels. Positive reviews highlight: - Detailed archival evidence - Clear writing style - Strong counter-argument to accepted historical narrative Critical reviews mention: - Dense academic prose that can be difficult to follow - Some repetition in examples - Focus primarily on organizational rather than individual responses Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (24 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) One reviewer on Amazon writes: "Diner meticulously dismantles the myth of American Jewish silence." A Goodreads reviewer notes: "Important work but could be more concise." The book received the National Jewish Book Award, though some academic reviewers suggest its argument might be overstated in places.

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🔹 The book directly challenges the widely held belief that American Jews were largely silent about or detached from the Holocaust in the years immediately following World War II, presenting extensive evidence of commemorations, educational programs, and public discussions during this period. 🔹 Author Hasia Diner is a professor at New York University and was the first woman to hold a presidential chair at the university. She has written extensively about American Jewish history and immigration history. 🔹 The research for this book involved examining hundreds of Jewish community newspapers, organizational minutes, and personal correspondence from across the United States during the post-war period. 🔹 The book won the National Jewish Book Award in the category of American Jewish Studies and received the Saul Viener Prize from the American Jewish Historical Society. 🔹 The title's phrase "We Remember with Reverence and Love" comes from a 1959 memorial prayer written by Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn, who served as a Marine Corps chaplain during World War II and witnessed the Battle of Iwo Jima.