Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland

What does the Jedwabne massacre teach us about historiography in relation to the Holocaust? What corrections does Gross encourage us to make regarding our studies of this period?

The story of the Jedwabne massacre is seldom told, but Jedwabne is not unique for its participation in the “final solution.” How is this small Polish town a microcosm for much of Europe, particularly Eastern Europe, during World War II?

What factors, other than antisemitism, motivated the Poles in Jedwabne to kill their Jewish neighbors? Imagine yourself in these circumstances. Do you think that you would behave any differently? Why or why not?