Saul Friedländer, a Czech-Jewish-born historian with a rich and storied life, was born on October 11, 1932, in the vibrant city of Prague, where his family, of German-speaking Jewish heritage, had made their home. Growing up, Friedländer was raised in France, a country that would play a significant role in shaping his future, particularly during the tumultuous years of the German Occupation, which lasted from 1940 to 1944.
As the war raged on, Friedländer found himself in a precarious situation, and in 1942, he was hidden away in a Catholic boarding school in Montluçon, a charming town located near the city of Vichy. It was during this period, from 1942 to 1946, that Friedländer underwent a profound transformation, converting to Roman Catholicism and beginning to prepare for the Catholic priesthood.
This remarkable journey, marked by both danger and discovery, would ultimately shape Friedländer's life and work, influencing his future as a historian and scholar.
Tragically, Friedländer's parents had made a desperate attempt to escape to the neutral territory of Switzerland, seeking refuge from the impending doom that threatened to engulf them. However, their efforts were thwarted when they were apprehended by the Vichy French authorities, who, in a shocking betrayal, handed them over to the German forces that had occupied their country.
The consequences of this fateful event were devastating, as Friedländer's parents were eventually transported to the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp, where they were subjected to the brutal and inhumane treatment that characterized the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime.
It would take many long and arduous years for Friedländer to uncover the truth about the fate of his parents, with the revelation finally coming to light in 1946, a stark reminder of the horrors that had been perpetrated during the darkest period of human history.
Following a period of time spent in concealment, Friedländer began to grasp the significance of his Jewish heritage and cultivated a profound affinity for the Zionist movement. As a direct result of this introspection, he made the bold decision to emigrate to Israel in the year 1948, where he boarded the Irgun vessel Altalena and embarked on a new chapter in his life.
After settling in his new homeland, Friedländer enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces, where he made significant contributions to the country's defense and security. Additionally, he took the opportunity to complete his high school education, laying the groundwork for a bright and promising future.
It is worth noting that Friedländer's journey to Israel was not without its challenges, as he faced numerous obstacles and difficulties during his transition from a life in hiding to one of purpose and meaning in his new homeland. Nevertheless, his determination and resilience ultimately allowed him to thrive in his new environment and build a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.
After completing his initial educational pursuits, Friedländer embarked on a significant academic journey, dedicating several years to the study of political science in the esteemed city of Paris, specifically from 1953 to 1955.
In the subsequent years, Friedländer's professional path took a notable turn as he assumed the role of secretary to the distinguished Nachum Goldman, who at the time held the prestigious position of President of the World Zionist Organization and the World Jewish Congress.
Furthermore, Friedländer's career progression continued as he served as an assistant to the then-vice-minister of defense, the illustrious Shimon Peres, in the year 1959.
As the decade of the 1980s drew to a close, Friedländer underwent a significant transformation in his political ideology, gradually shifting his stance to the left and subsequently becoming an active participant within the esteemed Peace Now organization.
Prior to this pivotal shift, Friedländer had earned his doctoral degree in 1963 from the renowned Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, where he would go on to occupy a teaching position until the year 1988.
Yitzhak Friedländer's academic career spanned multiple esteemed institutions, commencing with his tenure at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he later transitioned to a role at Tel Aviv University. In 1969, he authored a biography of Kurt Gerstein, a notable repentant SS officer, whose life and actions Friedländer meticulously chronicled.
Over two decades later, in 1988, Friedländer's academic distinction earned him the prestigious title of Professor of History at the University of California, Los Angeles, a position that solidified his reputation as a prominent scholar in the field.
In the year 1998, Friedländer held the esteemed position of chairing the Independent Historical Commission, a prestigious organization dedicated to uncovering the truth about the activities of the renowned German media conglomerate, Bertelsmann, during the tumultuous period of the Third Reich.
This monumental task, which spanned numerous years, culminated in the publication of a comprehensive and meticulously researched 800-page report, aptly titled "Bertelsmann im Dritten Reich", a collaborative effort between Friedländer and his esteemed colleagues, Norbert Frei, Trutz Rendtorff, and Reinhard Wittmann.
The report, which shed light on the intricate and complex web of relationships between Bertelsmann and the Nazi regime, unequivocally confirmed the existence of a deep-seated collaboration between the two entities, both before and during the devastating years of World War II.
The publication of this landmark report in the year 2002 marked a significant milestone in the quest for historical truth and served as a powerful testament to the importance of unearthing and sharing the secrets of the past, so that we may better understand the complexities of human nature and the devastating consequences of unchecked power and ideology.
