The Formation and Structure of the Judenräte in the Occupied Territory of the Vitebsk Region (Within Present-day Borders), 1941–1943

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although officially designated as representative, self-governing bodies, the Jewish councils (Judenräte) set up in Nazi-controlled territories were essentially tasked with carrying out orders issued by the regime, with at best limited possibilities of mitigating harmful measures against the Jews. This essay, which describes and also notes differences between the Judenräte in eastern and western areas of the present-day Vitebsk region of Belarus, is based on data from Belarusian, Russian, and Israeli archives, supplemented by witness testimonies collected by the author. 1