Heroines, Rescuers, Rabbis, Spies

Heroines, Rescuers, Rabbis, Spies

Swartz, S. S. (2022). Heroines, Rescuers, Rabbis, Spies: Unsung Women of the Holocaust. Second Story Press. ISBN 9781772602623

Discover nine ordinary women who took extraordinary measures to save lives during the Holocaust, resisting terror and torture while undercover or in hiding, in concentration camps, in forests, and in exile. (Amazon Reviews)

Sarah Swartz chronicles the stories of women who rose up from their ordinary lives to help others in a time of turmoil. The stories are told in a factual and thorough nature. Each highlights the impact the woman had on the war and the impact the war had on the woman. The final chapter is particularly poignant as the author relates the stories of two women from her own life who experienced the holocaust first hand. The author is clearly passionate about telling these stories that have been overlooked and untold. This inspiring writing reminds us that we truly underestimate what we are capable of as women, citizens, and human beings; an enlightening and important read.

Book Reviews:

"These personal stories are illuminating and powerful, offering ways for readers to connect with and understand the past. Swartz writes from a feminist perspective, questioning why these heroic figures went unsung and frequently even unmentioned while male heroes received praise and recognition... Phenomenally done and more necessary than ever."
― Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“These personal stories are illuminating and powerful, offering ways for readers to connect with and understand the past. Swartz writes from a feminist perspective, questioning why these heroic figures went unsung and frequently even unmentioned while male heroes received praise and recognition. With one exception, she chose to focus on women who survived the war, and her personal connection becomes poignantly clear in the final chapter about her mother and aunt, Regina Zlotnik Silberstein and Ruth Zlotnik Altman, Holocaust survivors who were active in the resistance in Warsaw. Phenomenally done and more necessary than ever.”
(HEROINES, RESCUERS, RABBIS, SPIES: Unsung Women of the Holocaust. (2022). Kirkus Reviews, 90(18), N.PAG.)

Connections:

- Any of the nine stories from the book could stand alone. They would enhance a history lesson, SEL lessons about determination, and are poignant examples of feminism.


This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5360.