The Germans established Jewish Councils (Judenraete) in the ghettos during World War II. Jewish Councils were required to implement Nazi policies in the ghettos. This role meant impossible moral dilemmas. Council members had to decide whether to refuse or comply with German demands. They also sought to provide basic community services in the ghettos.
The Warsaw ghetto Jewish council
A meeting of the Warsaw ghetto Jewish council. Sitting behind table, 2nd to 4th from left: industrialist Abraham Gepner; chairman Adam Czerniakow; and lawyer Gustav Wielikowski. Warsaw, Poland, between 1939 and 1942.
Item ViewJacob Edelstein
Jacob Edelstein, chairman of the Jewish council in Theresienstadt. He was deported, and shot in Auschwitz in 1944. Theresienstadt, Czechoslovakia, 1942–1943.
Item ViewKovno ghetto jail
Scene photographed by George Kadish: Jewish prisoners behind a barred window in the Kovno ghetto jail. The Jewish council administered its own jail in the ghetto. Kovno, Lithuania, 1943.
Item ViewKovno ghetto Jewish council
A meeting of the Kovno ghetto Jewish council. Chairman Elchanan Elkes sits at the center. Kovno, Lithuania, 1943.
Item ViewJewish council in the Kovno ghetto
Employees of the Jewish council in the Kovno ghetto assemble during roll call, which was taken on a daily basis. Kovno, Lithuania, 1941–43.
Item ViewHanging of members of the Lvov Jewish council
Members of the Lvov Jewish council are hanged by the Germans. Lvov, Poland, September 1942.
Item ViewLining up for employment outside the ghetto
Jews in the Lodz ghetto line up outside the labor office of the Jewish council in the hopes of finding employment outside the ghetto. Lodz, Poland, between 1941 and 1943.
Item ViewMordechai Chaim Rumkowski
Lodz ghetto Jewish council chairman Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski delivers a speech. Lodz, Poland, 1941–43.
Item ViewMordechai Chaim Rumkowski
Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski, Jewish council chairman in the Lodz ghetto, seen here speaking amongst Jewish ghetto policemen. Lodz, Poland, ca. 1942.
Item View