Why didn't they do something?

Rabbi Marvin Hier and Dustin Hoffman teach lessons of Holocaust inaction.

By TORI CHEIFETZ
Hoffman Hier 88 224 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Hoffman Hier 88 224
(photo credit: Courtesy)
'Why did we respond the way we did? The question should be, why didn't the others? We responded as a human and as a Jew should." - Activist Peter Bergson Against the Tide, the newest film put out by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, details the inaction of the American Jewish community during the Holocaust. The film, which will premiere at the Jerusalem Theater on October 15, tells the story of activist Peter Bergson and his attempts to reach the consciousness of both the American Jewish Community and the administration of the United States government under president Franklin D. Roosevelt, in order to force them to understand the gravity of the situation in Europe. Moriah Films, a division of The Simon Wiesenthal Center international human rights organization, has produced 10 full-length feature films exploring topics related to the Holocaust and current threats to the world Jewish community. This film, Against The Tide, is narrated by American actor Dustin Hoffman. It begs the question: Why couldn't American Jews get the Roosevelt administration to rescue the Jews of Europe? According to Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the response - or lack thereof - by the American Jewish community occurred due to the fear that is own American identity would be questioned if members spoke up and pushed for immunity for their fellow Jews. The film features a never-before-seen interview with Bergson. It also examines the failure to act by Stephen S. Wise as head of the American Jewish community, and the inadequate manner with which Roosevelt dealt with the situation of the Jews in Europe. According to Hier, "As far as the Jews are concerned, Roosevelt is considered the greatest. But in terms of the Holocaust, he was not a great leader. The rescue of Jews was not a high priority for Franklin Roosevelt." HIER ADMITS that although the film is not kind to those it sees as counterproductive in the mission to save the Jews of Europe, the purpose is not to vilify them. In his opinion, "the purpose of the film is to help us realize that we can never let our guard down. You hear the slogan 'never again,' but it's just a slogan. How can we be sure of this?" With the current crises facing the global community - most notably the threat of Iran - Hier thinks the message of constant vigilance is more important than ever. "What would happen if another crisis like the Holocaust were to occur? Have we learned from the past?" These and many other questions are what Hier hopes moviegoers will be asking themselves after viewing this film. Although he hopes that the film is seen by a large Jewish audience, Hier believes that it is equally as important for non-Jews to understand this human tragedy. "The purpose of Moriah films is to bring the epic moments of modern Jewish history to the widest Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. It is not the objective to just present our message to Jews. Our stories are about the history of the Jewish people, but it has many historical lessons." This is the reason why Peter Bergson was chosen as the focus for the film. "Bergson's feeling was, 'When your brothers and sisters are caught up in an inferno, everything should stop.'" According to Hier, this lesson can be related to all genocide throughout the world. "The tragedy of the situation is that it was business as usual in the middle of a genocide. Whether it's Darfur, Rwanda or the Holocaust, the idea is that life went on normally. I'm not saying you should stop celebrating weddings and bar mitzvas," says Hier. "But when something like this happens, rescue should dominate the scene." Against The Tide, which is directed by Oscar-winning director Richard Trank, will premiere on Wednesday October 15 at the Jerusalem Theater. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. and the movie will begin at 8. For more information on the film (or any other film in the Moriah collection), visit www.moriahfilms.com.