FDR Lecture

Overall, I thought the lecture on Franklin Roosevelt and the Jews was interesting. I was unaware at how much time and effort Roosevelt put in to try to save the Jews from the war. He tried very hard to warn others about the dangers ahead if the Jews were to stay in Germany. For example, in 1938 Roosevelt had a meeting with Rabbi Steven Wise, where he suggested to Wise that the situation for the Jews going to be difficult and they should leave Germany. Wise wanted to focus on Palestine rather than the Jews in Germany. Roosevelt also offered many ideas on how to situation better for Jew, such as quotas. Another thing that I was surprised about was that Bolivia was the highest rescuer per quota. There was about 20,000 visa’s given to Jews from 1938-1941. Furthermore, I enjoyed hearing the true story about the SS St. Louis and how two thirds of the Jews survived. They went to places such as France and Belgium and eventually about half came to the United States. I am glad I went to the lecture, especially since I am from Hyde Park, the home of the Roosevelt’s.