Class 13. 10/8 Neighbors and perpetrators

Jan T. Gross, Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland Download Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland

 (2001), Introduction, “Outline of the Story,” “Sources,” “Before the War,” 3–40; “Who Murdered the Jews of Jedwabne?” and “The Murder,” 79–104; “What Do People Remember?” “Collective Responsibility,” “New Approach to Sources,” “Is It Possible to Be Simultaneously a Victim and a Victimizer?” 126–151.

According to Gross, who was responsible for the deaths of the Jews of Jedwabne? Why might his work be controversial? Is it possible to be both a victim and a perpetrator?