Joachim Prinz, Rebellious Rabbi

Book excerpt: Pp. 98-179, "The Nazi Years", present an account by Rabbi Prinz (1902-1988) of his spiritual leadership in the Jewish community of Berlin under Nazi rule. His outspoken Zionism and advocacy of Jewish emigration expressed a minority opinion among German Jews. The popular sermons of Prinz, who was under Nazi surveillance, offered spiritual resistance, and his educational activities with youth and adults helped assimilated German Jews discover their Jewish identity. A farewell meeting for him held by the community was attended by Eichmann, whose report of the event apparently advanced his career. Prinz was expelled from Germany in 1937 and emigrated to the U.S. The editor occasionally corrects errors, such as dating, in Prinz's account, especially in regard to events affecting German Jews after Prinz emigrated.