This Day in Jewish History – October 3 & 4
Nazi Germany issued a decree authorizing the confiscation of Jewish property. This was not just about economics — it was about stripping Jews of independence and the means to survive. By taking away homes, businesses, and savings, the Nazis made Jews entirely dependent on the state that intended to destroy them.
A bomb was planted outside the Rue Copernic Synagogue in Paris during Shabbat evening services. Four people were murdered and 46 were wounded. It was the first deadly antisemitic attack in France since the Holocaust, shattering the illusion that Jewish life in postwar Europe was secure.
The Vichy regime in France, already collaborating with Nazi Germany, issued a decree allowing the internment of foreign Jews. This measure paved the way for mass arrests, deportations, and the handing over of Jews to the Nazis, showing how quickly a government could turn against its Jewish population.
Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, gave his notorious Posen speech to senior Nazi officials. In chillingly direct language, he spoke openly about the extermination of the Jews — proof that mass murder was not hidden from the Nazi leadership but was a central, coordinated policy.
President Harry S. Truman, in a cable to British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, demanded the immediate admission of 100,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors into Palestine. This moment marked a turning point in international recognition of Jewish rights to self-determination and laid important groundwork for the creation of the State of Israel less than two years later.
Together these dates remind us of a pattern in Jewish history: disarmament, dispossession, and betrayal by governments left Jews vulnerable to persecution and murder. At the same time, the push for refuge in Israel highlights the other side of the story: Jewish survival depends on self-determination, strength, and the ability to defend ourselves.
Why “This Day in Jewish History” Matters
For the past few weeks, I’ve shared a “This Day in Jewish History” post every Friday. If you’ve been following, you may have noticed a pattern: every single event I’ve highlighted—except last week’s—represents a moment when Jews were vulnerable, disarmed, and powerless in the face of danger.
That pattern isn’t coincidental. It’s a painful reminder of a recurring lesson in Jewish history: when Jews are disarmed, we are at risk. History doesn’t just repeat itself in stories—it repeats itself in consequences.
This is exactly why Jews Can Shoot exists. We work to make sure that the Jewish community can take responsibility for its own safety. Being armed isn’t about aggression; it’s about preventing the tragedies that history has shown happen all too often when we rely solely on others for protection.
And it’s also why the Second Amendment is so critical to every American’s liberty, freedom, and safety. Our right to keep and bear arms is what ensures we can defend ourselves, our families, and our communities when no one else will. For Jews, with centuries of history as evidence, this lesson is not theoretical—it’s survival.
Our history teaches us something important: vigilance, preparedness, and the ability to defend ourselves are not abstract principles—they are lifelines. That’s why we advocate for responsible gun ownership, education, and training. Because learning from the past means taking action in the present.
Stay aware. Stay prepared. Stay armed.
—Doris
