Did someone kidnap Professor Reinharz?

Submitted by Gilbert Borman (United States), Feb 13, 2007 at 16:03

I took Reinharz' history of the holocaust class at Michigan almost 30 years ago. The Reinharz I remember was not anti-Israel and expressed a very strong sense that Israel was a central answer to Jewish life after the holocaust. Reinharz presentation of the holocaust was quite centrist and frankly, his presentation and lectures were among the best I had at Michigan.

But that was then.

The recent revelations about former President Carter's overt antisemitism in his current book and other recently surfaced writings make one wonder why Reinharz allowed Carter to come to Brandeis.

I am further baffled why he feels Prof. Pipes, whom I hold in the highest regard, is so beyond the pale. Prof. Pipes is far less controversial than the statements of his subject: Islamic extremists. If Pipes is considered incendiary, his critics would do well to remember that all he does is cite what people actually say and do.

Will the real Professor Reinharz, please step forward?

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