The Holocaust Memoir Digest was begun in 2000 with the purpose of making the experiences of Holocaust survivors, as published in their memoirs, available to those who want to learn how and why the Holocaust happened, and what can be learned from it.

The Editor, Esther Goldberg, uses quotations from each memoir to illustrate the topics discussed: in reading the descriptions we see what the survivor sees; in reading, we hear our own voice, thus that knowledge becomes part of who we are.

Sir Martin Gilbert has created the maps, which are a special feature of the Digest. He is also historical consultant to the project. Shi Sherebrin has provided the technical computer expertise and designed the program and the report form. Digital Internet Group have designed the Web Site and applications and are responsible for its maintenance.

Since its inception six years ago, the Digest has found a home on the Web, and is now also published in book form by Vallentine Mitchell as an ongoing series. Nine memoirs have been included in Volume 1 of the Holocaust Memoir Digest, eight in Volume 2, five in Volume 3.  All three Volumes can be purchased through our affiliation with Amazon.com. To purchase, please click here or on the Amazon.com link to your left, or in Canada from McNally Robinson.

We are grateful to the Holocaust Resource Centre of London Jewish Federation, London, Ontario, Canada, for their encouragement, to Vallentine Mitchell Publishers for bringing these volumes into print, and to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (the Claims Conference) for funding in part the next volumes, Volumes 3 and 4 of Holocaust Memoir Digest. The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany represents world Jewry in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs. The Claims Conference administers compensation funds, recovers unclaimed Jewish property, and allocates funds to institutions that provide social welfare services to Holocaust survivors, and preserves the memory and lessons of the Shoah.