In the Shadow of Hitler: Alabama's Jews, the Second World War, and the Holocaust

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments This book on Ala­ bama’s Jews and the Holocaust grew from my earlier research on the subject. I had origi­ nally planned to write a book that described how Nazism, war, and the Holocaust affected Af­ ri­ can Ameri­ cans’ demands for civil rights, which at the time was my primary focus. I also planned to include a small section devoted to the Jewish community. I began working on the Jewish reaction first, which I had relegated to roughly two chapters, largely to get them out of the way. In the course of further research and writing , it became clear that a separate study of Ala­ bama’s Jews was required. The University of Ala­ bama Press, which had agreed to publish my origi­ nal study, encouraged this decision, and editor Dan Waterman has been both supportive and patient as I steadily worked on the book. As this project progressed , south­ ern Jewish history, not Af­ ri­ can Ameri­ can history, became my overriding interest. The result is a book significantly different from what I had origi­ nally imagined. This book would not have been possible without the assistance, both great and small, of a number of individuals. First, special thanks should go to four individuals who have shaped my professional career. As an undergraduate at the University of West Ala­ bama, I was fortunate to have Joe B. Wilkins, Fred Sakon, and the late David W. Bowen as professors. The three were as different as could be, but their obvious love of history and their support and encouragement of a clueless undergraduate student inspired me to follow them into the his­ tori­ cal profession. My graduate advisor at Mississippi State University, Johnpeter H. Grill, taught me how to be a historian. I am grateful for the lessons I learned in his seminars and in the many hours sitting in his office. I’m especially grateful for his encouragement as my research floundered. In many ways, this book is a product of their faith in me. Thank you all! Two individuals deserve special mention in connection with this book: Sol Kimerling and Mark Bauman. I met Sol Kimerling years ago at a panel discussion at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute where he was speaking x / Acknowledgments about Birmingham’s Jews and the civil rights movement. As one who grew up South­ ern Baptist, I knew little about Ala­ bama’s Jewish community. Sol was the perfect tutor. He served as a sounding board, patiently reading and responding to what I wrote. He introduced me to many people in the Jewish community, which eventually diverted my research into areas I had not expected. I will never forget the kindness and generosity of Sol and his late wife, Rita. They truly made me feel welcome, and it is something that I will always treasure. Mark Bauman is perhaps the most relentless editor I have ever encountered. I became acquainted with Mark in 2006 when he contacted me about publishing some of my work in South­ ern Jewish History, a journal he edits. I was, of course, familiar with Mark’s work, but had never met him. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with Mark, at times a victim of his merciless red pen. His critiques, of­ ten many, have made me a better historian. When Dan Waterman of the University of Ala­ bama Press asked my opinion as to who should review the manuscript, I did not hesitate to recommend Mark (and his red pen). His comments, suggestions, and advice made this a much better book. Thank you, Mark. There are many people who have generously contributed their time and energy to reading portions of the manuscript. I am in their debt for their insight and advice: Jim Arlandson, Jennifer Brooks, David Isaacs, Tom Kolasa , Sara Kosiba, the late Wayland Marler, Jeffery Marlett, Scott Merriman , Stuart Rockoff, Jennifer Treviño, and Phyllis Weinstein. Much of the credit for chapter 4 belongs to Claire Rosenson. A large part of that chapter appeared in Holocaust and Genocide Studies 25 (Fall 2011), of which Claire is an editor, and I appreciate Oxford University Press for granting permission to reprint part of it. A special thanks goes to Jack Salzman who read the entire manuscript and who generously offered his sage advice. He and his wife, Cecily, welcomed me to New York and entertained me while I was there. Jack and Cecily, thank you for your hospitality (and the sushi...