How the Bulgarian Jews Survived the Holocaust

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In this talk, Joseph Benatov discusses the history of Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust. In 1943, Bulgaria complied with German demands and deported nearly 11,400 Jews from occupied territories in northern Greece and Yugoslavia (Macedonia). At the same time, Bulgaria successfully resisted German pressures to deport the 50,000 Jews living in Bulgaria. Benatov offers an overview of the facts surrounding these historical events and focuses on the conflicting opinions about the role played by King Boris III, church officials and politicians in the rescue of Bulgaria’s Jewish population. Benatov will also discuss the international debate over the way in which this historical moment should be interpreted, remembered and commemorated.