World War II
America’s moral obligation in the global refugee crisis
By Jerome Socolovsky — May 26, 2016
(RNS) "If you’re a good swimmer, you’ve got an obligation to jump in the river to save a drowning child."
Now that Anne Frank’s diary belongs to the world, what will we make of her? (COMMENTARY)
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 5, 2016
(RNS) In new diary translations, we may see Anne Frank differently -- perhaps more as a Jew who knew that questioning the world is a gift from God.
Japanese Americans remember Pearl Harbor backlash and support Muslims
By Megan Sweas — December 11, 2015
LOS ANGELES (RNS) In the wake of the San Bernadino attacks and proposals to restrict Muslim immigration, some Japanese Americans are remembering the backlash against their parents and grandparents after the Pearl Harbor attack in World War II, and are expressing support for American Muslims.
French right-wing leader calls trial over Muslim remark ‘persecution’
By Reuters — October 21, 2015
At a rally in 2010, Marine Le Pen likened Nazi occupation during World War II to Muslim street prayers "because that is clearly an occupation of the territory."
Japanese ‘Schindler’ honored decades after WWII
By Kirk Spitzer — October 8, 2015
TOKYO -- Chiune Sugihara defied government orders and issued travel visas allowing thousands of Jewish refugees to escape Nazi persecution in 1940.
‘Bookkeeper of Auschwitz,’ who admitted ‘moral guilt,’ convicted in German trial
By Reuters — July 15, 2015
The 94-year-old man was convicted as accessory to the murder of 300,000 people and sentenced to four years in prison, in what could be one of the last big Holocaust trials.
Nicholas Winton, the ‘British Schindler,’ dies at age 106
By Reuters — July 2, 2015
LONDON (Reuters) A man who became known as the "British Schindler" for saving hundreds of Czech children from Nazi persecution in the run-up to World War II has died.
On his 100th birthday, Herman Wouk’s guidebook to Judaism still a classic (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — May 27, 2015
(RNS) More than 55 years since its publication, Henry Wouk's “This is My God” retains its place as a guidebook to Judaism.
Latvia’s lost synagogues find new life in model form
By Reuters — March 5, 2015
RIGA, Latvia (Reuters) There were 210 synagogues in Latvia before World War II; today, there are only two synagogues operating.
Hitler’s childhood home could become museum
By Jolie Lee — September 10, 2014
(RNS) The idea for the museum comes from Austrian historian Andreas Maislinger, who says the "House of Responsibility" will allow students and young people to do research on crimes against humanity and World War II.
God at Nuremberg: How an American pastor came to comfort Nazis
By Kimberly Winston — August 22, 2014
(RNS) How did a quiet American pastor come to be the spiritual care-giver of Nazi war criminals? A new book, "Mission at Nuremberg," dusts off an overlooked corner of World War II history.
Was World War I a religious crusade? An interview with Philip Jenkins
By Jonathan Merritt — May 22, 2014
A distinguished historian argues that The Great War was also a holy war that reshaped every major religion of the 20th century.
House considers a prayer plaque at WWII monument; interfaith coalition says ‘no’
By Kimberly Winston — May 21, 2014
(RNS) A group of Christians, Hindus, Jews and humanists has asked the House of Representatives to reject a prayer plaque proposed for the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
New documentary recounts story of heroic Muslim spy
By Omar Sacirbey — February 27, 2014
(RNS) The filmmakers knew they wanted to tell a story about a Muslim who did something heroic during World War II, because so few stories are known. Noor Inayat Khan’s story was the most alluring because of her deep spirituality.
COMMENTARY: It’s time to open the wartime pope’s records
By A. James Rudin — February 27, 2014
(RNS) According to a British newspaper, Pope Francis wants to release the Pius XII papers for study before determining whether to consider his controversial predecessor for sainthood. It's time he did.