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This article presents the index section of the book, Hitler's Gift: The Story of Theresienstadt.

This section presents photographs taken from or related to the Jewish ghetto in Theresienstadt, Czech Republic.

This section comments on two publications concerning the Jewish Ghetto in Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. The first one is an article by Karel Margry, Theresienstadt (1944-1945): The Nazi Propaganda Film Depicting the Concentration Camp as Paradise, published in the November 2, 1992 issue of Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television. The other one is a book titled Une Mission Impossible? Le CICR, les deportations et les camps de concentration Nazis, by Jean-Claude Favez, which focused on the activities of the International Red Cross in World War II.

This section comments on several books on the history of Jewish ghetto in Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. This bulky book, Theresienstadt, 1941-1943, by H. G. Adler, overflows with facts, figures, and quotations, along with descriptions of events, personalities, moods, and feelings. It is actually longer than its size indicates, for Adler not only uses a system of abbreviations for often-repeated words, but also devotes almost 200 pages of his near 900-page text to notes set in small print, and these notes do not merely annotate his text but provide much additional material. The book Elder of the Jews: Jakob Edelstein of Theresienstadt, offers some general information about the camp and also about what was happening in the non-Nazi world regarding it.

This article discusses the legacy of the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. Then first legacy concerns with the amazing ability of cultural activity in Theresienstadt to survive and even thrive under such seemingly adverse conditions. Its health service found that many, then highly regarded, medicines were unnecessary and that simpler, more natural measures were often more effective. Theresienstadt's teachers demonstrated the value of inspiration, improvisation, and informality in teaching the young.

This chapter deals with the liberation of the residents of the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. Jubilant Theresienstadters, some waving flags or holding hastily drawn posters, turned out en masse to greet the Russian and Soviet forces. The joyful scene did not transpire without travails. Some inmates had become so intoxicated with elation that they got in the way of the procession and suffered accidents. Despite the euphoria of liberation, life was still far from idyllic in Theresienstadt.

This chapter describes events prior to the liberation of the residents of the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. The Schutzstaffel decided to refurbish a barracks for their own use. The completion of this construction project brought the challenge of a much greater one. The Jews were ordered to build a special internment complex on the town's embankments. The Schutzstaffel assigned the Jews two new construction projects. They were to transform a portion of this within-ground network into a place suitable for storing vegetables

This chapter focuses on the population decline in the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. Before the first fall transport, Theresienstadt had contained 29,481 people. After the last transport, it contained 11,077 people. In exactly one month the ghetto had lost nearly two-thirds of its population. The gender gap had also widened. As might be expected, women outnumbered men by more than 2 to 1 among the elderly. The camp's ethnic mix had also shifted. Since Germans had made up a high proportion of the exempt elderly, they now held a 4,000 to 3,500 edge over the Czechs.

This chapter focuses on the concentration camps in Theresienstadt, Czech Republic and Auschwitz, Poland in the summer of 1944. By the summer of 1944 some Nazis wanted to slow down or even stop the executions. They hoped to use the Jews as bargaining chips with the Allies; or they wanted to utilize more Jewish labor for their country's hard-pressed war industries. The last Theresienstadt transport was also the next to the last transport of Jews to arrive in Auschwitz. Two days later a transport of Slovakian Jews came and were promptly gassed. Then, on November 2, operations were ceased. Jews, including Theresienstadt Jews, would still die, but the gas chambers of Auschwitz would claim no more victims.

This chapter focuses on the Stadtverschoenerung or the city beautification project launched by the Nazis in 1943 for Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. The beautification project brought many changes. Some were largely superficial and symbolic. Thus the Order of the Day became the Daily Bulletin of the Jewish Self-administration and the Ghetto Court became the Community Court. The sign saying Transport over the transport office was taken down and the transport numbers of the Theresienstadt inmates became their identification numbers instead. The saluting requirement was also abolished. Other changes were more substantive. Food parcels from abroad as well as from the Reich were expedited and their contents were less carefully searched.

This chapter discusses some Schutzstaffel developments in the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic beginning July 1948. The Schutzstaffel instructed the Jewish administration to cease using the terms Camp Commandant or Camp Inspector, but simply to refer to the officer's military grade. Another Schutzstaffel move that caught the camp off guard was the dissolution of the Ghetto Watch in August. The constabulary force was soon reconstituted, but on a much different basis. The new Ghetto Watch was much smaller, having only 150 members compared to 420 on the former one.

This chapter focuses on the medical and cultural achievements in the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic in early 1940s. The Nazis helped Theresienstadt's medical department build a large medical library and even ordered the doctors to hold seminars for each other, allowing Czech doctors to lecture in Czech. The medical department set up a special division on infectious diseases. The explosion of cultural activity began the month after the first Aufbaukommando arrived when the young construction workers obtained Nazi permission to hold a Comradeship Evening. While poetry became Theresienstadt's most common medium of artistic expression, lecturing became its most frequent cultural event.

This article focuses on the pro-child policies and practices at the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic in early1940s. The children of Theresienstadt, of whom there were approximately 3,200 under 15 years of age by mid-1943, were considered and treated as its most precious treasure. A Theresienstadt child regularly received more food and double as much living space as a normal adult. In 1943 the administration created a special court for juveniles so that their cases would not have to be reported to the Schutzstaffel. Then there were the teachers, matrons, and others who worked tirelessly to promote the children's well being.

This article focuses on the Schutzstaffel garrison and the inmates of the concentration camp in Theresienstadt, Czech Republic in early 1940s. Brutality and terrorism characterized the inmates' contacts with other members of the camp's Schutzstaffel garrison. The younger Schutzstaffel officers were especially cruel, and the elderly, who frequently wandered about in a confused state, were often their victims. The camp had also developed a complex social hierarchy which in some instances paralleled but in other cases diverged from its political power structure.

This chapter focuses on the efforts of the Jews to escape from the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic in early 1940s. Most of the 141,000 Jews who would come to Theresienstadt would not remain there. The area's geography discouraged escape. Fleeing in one direction brought the fugitive almost immediately into the Reich. Fleeing in the other direction brought him into flat and open Czech farmland with no real woods or mountains in which to hide. Some arrested escapees were sent to the Little Fortress, the former Czech prison which was later used by the Gestapo.

This chapter focuses on the living conditions in the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic in early 1940s. One way or another, entering Theresienstadt for the first time was a jolt to most of its new residents. The town's plumbing facilities were primitive to begin with, for flush toilets and running water had only been installed a few years earlier. Many other factors contributed to making Theresienstadt's shelter situation a source of torment. A constant shortage of coal caused most residents to shiver all winter while the lack of ventilation caused those in the attics to nearly suffocate during the summer. The shortage of kitchen facilities added to the problem by forcing people to stand in line for long periods, sometimes in rain or snow, to get their meager portions. The digestive systems of the elderly adapted less well to the Theresienstadt regime and severe enteritis or similar ailments affected almost all of them. In the long waits for the scarce lavatories they commonly, to their great discomfort and shame, defiled themselves.

This chapter presents a historical background of the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic during the deportations of Jews in the city in early 1940s. The deportations accelerated during the first half of 1942, as over 50,000. The first half of 1943 brought further deportees from Czechoslovakia, the Reich, and Luxembourg, and in April the first group of 297 arrived from Holland. The new arrivals not only swelled Theresienstadt's population but changed its composition in many ways. A Jewish police force, the Ghetto Watch, came into existence early in the ghetto's creation. Separate from the Ghetto Watch was a detective bureau headed by the former executive director of the League of German Jewish Front Fighters. The real driving force in Theresienstadt were the Zionists, especially the Czechs.

This chapter gives a historical account of the deportations of the Jews to the Theresienstadt, Czech Republic in early 1940s. In accordance with Nazi practice, the job of selecting the deportees was given to the Jews. As the deportations went forward during late October and early November, the Jewish leaders realized that Theresienstadt provided their only hope. On November 10 the Nazis ordered the Gemeinde to have a construction crew ready to leave for Theresienstadt in 15 days to prepare its transformation into a Jewish ghetto. Already infected with the desperate optimism that would grip so many of Theresienstadt's future residents, they believed America's involvement signaled a speedy end to the war.

This section presents a historical background of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. The reports appeared in the German press in early summer of 1942. Suddenly, and magnanimously, the Fuehrer was presenting an entire city to the Jews. The news accounts identified the city as Theresienstadt and gave its location as northern Czechoslovakia some 39 miles from Prague. Theresienstadt's regular residents were being evacuated but would leave behind their furniture for the city's new, and seemingly fortunate, inhabitants. It soon became evident that only certain Jews would benefit from the Fuehrer's generous gift. Foremost among them were the German and Austrian elderly. Word of Theresienstadt's role as Hitler's haven for older Jews soon spread throughout German-occupied Europe. Those wishing to assist any Jewish friend or other Jewish connection destined for deportation sought to have them sent to Theresienstadt.

This section notes several issues and events related to Jews as of January 1997. First, the author notes the publication of the book Hitler's Willing Executioners by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen. The book examines the role of rank and file Germans in the Holocaust. Next, the author notes a memo sent by the Commander of the Eastern Territories, General Johannes Blaskowitz, to Berlin protesting the then rather sporadic slaughter of both Jews and Poles. Also, this section presents the views of Jewish writer Benno Weiser Varon on Alfred Polgar's sharp differentiation between Germans and Austrians in regard to Jew hatred.

This chapter notes some differences between the behavior of the Jewish Diaspora and Israelis, as of 1997. The author observes that Israelis are surprisingly much tougher and rougher. According to him, visitors both Jewish and non-Jewish often complain of Israeli roughness and rudeness. He admits that courtesy and civility have scarcely become hallmarks of the Israeli way of life. He cites government and politics as one sector of Israeli society which deserves some special scrutiny in this respect.

This chapter looks at the evolution of the Zionist movement and the benefits it has bestowed on Jews. Today, the Zionist movement stands out as one of history's most striking success stories. It has led to the creation of a strong and reasonably secure state which has furnished a haven for hundreds of thousands from Europe, the Arabic world, and, more recently, such places as the Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Albania, and Yugoslavia. Much less appreciated, however, are the benefits it has bestowed on those Jews who have remained in the Diaspora, including those who constantly criticize Israel and even condemn it.

This chapter looks at the special relationships that had existed between Germans and Jews prior to the World War II and the Holocaust. The author affirms that a special relationship had arisen between Germans and Jews or between German Jews and German gentiles by the end of the 1700s. He notes that while it became somewhat mangled and maimed during the nineteenth century, it had no suffered a mortal blow. In this chapter, the author tries to examine several indications of the special relationships.

This chapter examines the passion of Jews for food, dancing, and joke telling. A near-obsession with food encompasses the entire Jewish spectrum from the ultra-secular to the ultra-Orthodox. This food fixation manifests itself in many ways. On the other hand, the passion for dancing is shared by Jews of all backgrounds and shades of belief. Meanwhile, the most common and commonly known Jewish form of recreation is joke-telling. Jews will tell jokes not only at play but at work, and not only when things are going well but when they are going badly.

This chapter looks at how Jews regard homosexuality as of 1997. The chapter begins by clarifying the views of Torah on homosexuality. The author observes that the issue of homosexuality seems to have created more division and dissension within the Jewish community than previous equal rights issues have hitherto done. He discusses how the issue has presented its most specific and direct challenge to the Jewish community in the form of whether to allow gays to become rabbis. Lastly, the author describes how the AIDS epidemic has remained a largely homosexual phenomenon.

This chapter analyzes and assesses the severe and seemingly sudden outbursts of African American anti-Semitism in the 1990s which caught most Jews by surprise, or shock. According to the author, what made the situation seem especially bizarre was that no other ethnic white group had more actively and ardently supported the Civil Rights Movement than Jews. He notes that the increase in African American anti-Semitism has also paralleled the rise of interest in the Holocaust, a trend that has forced African-Americans to share victim status with Jews.

This chapter considers the issue of lack of aggressiveness among Jewish men. It tries to explain why Jewish men tend to be less aggressive. The author begins by illustrating Jewish men's distaste of violence and fear of danger. Next, he cites other examples showing the lack of aggressiveness among Jewish men as well as their non-macho orientation and demeanor. Finally, the author identifies some situations showing that although a Jewish man may be weak, he may also be a loving one. The author concludes by agreeing that the aggressive Jewish wimp is not just unattractive but often an unhelpful figure.

This chapter looks at the status of women in Jewish life as of 1997. The author notes that in the twentieth century Jewish women have chalked up numerous female firsts. Jewish men have not remained unappreciative of their womenfolks' remarkable record. According to the author, the Torah itself pays them homage. In the second part of this chapter, the author addresses the emergence of the Jewish princess phenomenon. He notes however that even at its height, the princess phenomenon never prevented many Jewish women from forging ahead and opening up new avenues of accomplishment.

This chapter looks at the role played by the family among Jews and examines the attitude of Jews toward family, marriage and other issues related to family relations. In their zest for what economists call family formation, Jews not only accepted, but in the past, encouraged teenage marriage. The Jews were among the first to discourage and finally ban polygamy. At the same time, they took a somewhat surprisingly tolerant approach to intra-family marriage. Many Jewish religious rituals are essentially family observances.

This article presents a historical background of Theresienstadt, Czech Republic. Theresienstadt became a Nazi show place, a unique concentration camp designed to cover up the Jewish extermination program. Its inmates were not only allowed to receive packages from Aryan friends and relatives, but also from Jewish relief agencies operating in neutral countries. Theresienstadt was essentially a Potemkin village, a fabricated community behind whose flimsy façade destitution and death ran rampant. Most Jews deported to Theresienstadt were not distinguished and most of them either died there or were sent on to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Even many of the camp's prominent Jews eventually perished. In the words of one of the camp's few survivors, Theresienstadt was a theatre of the absurd.

This section presents a list of individuals who provided information, through interviews and/or correspondence, that was presented in the book, Hitler's Gift: The Story of Theresienstadt.