What the Term “Holocaust” Means

Dear Editor:

There has been much confusion on what the term holocaust means. Allow me to clarify.

The Holocaust is the systematic mass murder of European Jewry by the Nazis. The term Holocaust literally means a fire that causes total destruction.Yehuda Bauer, one of the world’s most eminent historians of the Holocaust, differentiates between the term genocide and Holocaust by defining the term genocide as partial murder.While there have been numerous instances of genocide, the total annihilation of a people was never an officially sanctioned purpose of a national government as it was in Nazi Germany. It is precisely this which differentiates the Nazi action against the Jews from other genocidal attempts against a people.

The Nazis wished to conquer the world and therefore threatened the very existence of every single Jew in the world. The principle target of the Nazis was always the Jews. Yes, it is true that as many as 50 million human beings were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. The Nazis destroyed the lives of Gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally disabled, Jehovah’s Witnesses, communists, socialists, trade unionists and religious opponents. But it was only the Jews who were singled out for the Final Solution.

Sincerely
Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg
New Jersey

An Israel-Hater of Long Standing

A news article in the New York Times last week noted that since the start of the Gaza war two years ago, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has “repeatedly compared [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.”

That’s true, but it wrongly implied that such statements by Erdogan are of recent origin and were made in response to Israeli actions in Gaza. In fact, Erdogan’s vile rhetoric long predated the Gaza war.

Way back in July 2014, for example, Erdogan declared that Israel had “surpassed Hitler in barbarism.” In May 2018, he asserted that there was “no difference” between the Holocaust and Israeli policies regarding Gaza. In July 2018, he asserted that “Hitler’s spirit” guides Israel. And in December of that year, he accused Israel of committing “cultural genocide.”

Erdogan’s record of ugly declarations about the Jewish state is not the result of any particular Israeli policy and has nothing to do with who the prime minister of Israel happens to be. He is an Israel-hater of long standing.

Is it any wonder that Israelis are concerned about Erdogan or his representative serving on the U.S. Board of Peace that is supposed to disarm Hamas?

Sincerely
Prof. Rafael Medoff

Stop Medically Assisted Suicide

Dear Editor:

There is an urgent and critical need for concerned citizens to take immediate action by contacting our elected officials in Albany to oppose the legalization of medically assisted suicide in New York State. This legislation represents a profound moral, ethical, and societal turning point—one that would fundamentally alter the value we place on human life, particularly the lives of the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable.

Governor Hochul has indicated she will not sign this bill into law unless specific amendments are added. Those amendments are now moving through the legislature in the Assembly as bill A9515 and in the State Senate as bill S8835. These amendments must also be opposed. This is not a minor policy adjustment—it is a matter of life and death, and it deserves the full attention and engagement of the public.

I strongly urge every resident to personally call their representatives. You can reach your State Assemblymember at (518) 455-4100 and your State Senator at (518) 455-2800. When calling, it is essential to fully identify yourself with your full name, address, and ZIP code. Clearly and calmly state that you oppose medically assisted suicide and that you want them to vote NO on both the legislation and its amendments.

This proposal is not compassionate—it is dangerous. It risks normalizing state-sanctioned death instead of strengthening care, dignity, and true compassion for those who are suffering. Please be respectful and courteous in every interaction but be firm in your request. Silence now would be a tragic mistake.

Sincerely
Mrs. R. Weissberger
Brooklyn, NY