Zionism’s Redemptions: Images of the Past and Visions of the Future in Jewish Nationalism by Arieh Saposnik (review)

Abstract

while demonstrating the complicated nature of the dispersal of former Nazis following World War II. He points out that “Argentina sought, as did many other countries, to recruit scientists, technicians, and military experts trained in Germany and employed in that country until 1945, hoping that they might contribute their expertise to programs designed to enhance the development, industrialization, and modernization of Argentina” (64–65). The United States and the Soviet Union were at the forefront of these efforts. Rein further notes that the travel and entrance of many of these Germans “was not the result of a clear and coherent policy” and that many purchased visas at locations in Europe from immigration officials there, often using “falsified travel documents issued either by highly placed members of the Catholic Church in Europe . . . or by the Red Cross’ International Committee” (66). Finally, Rein points to the long history of Argentine elites seeking “cultured” immigrants from northern Europe to help advance Argentina. The book is at its strongest when making concise arguments. The way that the introduction sets out the themes of the book is outstanding, and it is a testament to Rein’s skill that he weaves the threads of the arguments throughout the book. It lags at times when profiling the men who were Peronists or within the Peronist orbit. It’s understandable that Rein wanted to explore the individual stories of the Jewish men in Argentina who played roles in the Peronist government, but at times the amount of biographical information seems too much. Rein’s book is first and foremost a work of Argentine history. It is meant for those with a strong grasp of the historical record and historiography around Peronism and modern Argentine history—it was initially published in Spanish for an Argentine audience. At the same time, it brings the strands of Jewish history into the story, and motivated readers without much prior knowledge of Argentina will be able to follow Rein’s arguments. This book is an outstanding contribution to the Peronist historiography and the literature on Jews in Argentina. Wide in scope, with an enormous attention to detail and nuance throughout, few historians beyond Rein would be able to produce a work of this importance and quality.