Churbn Lettland

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Max Kaufmann's Churbn Lettland: The Destruction of the Jews of Latvia, published in 1947, captures the harrowing recollections of Latvian Jewish survivors shortly after World War II. Kaufmann interviewed survivors in Riga, Berlin, and Munich, meticulously documenting their wartime experiences using simple tools—pen, pencil, and paper. His work uniquely preserves the narrative of the systematic destruction of Latvia's once-vibrant Jewish community, where over 80,000 Jews were murdered. The need to publish this account in English arises from ongoing gaps in Holocaust studies, particularly regarding the atrocities committed in Latvia. Despite some scholarly works and eyewitness testimonies emerging since 1947, significant research remains to be done, especially with the recent release of declassified documents from Bad Arolsen, Germany. Furthermore, this publication serves as a crucial counter to those who deny the Holocaust's occurrence in Latvia and elsewhere, often dismissing evidence as fabrications. Kaufmann's work stands as an essential testament to the truth of these events, ensuring that the voices of those who suffered are not forgotten.