Publisher: 'Mein Kampf' proceeds to aid Holocaust survivors

[webfact]

Publisher: 'Mein Kampf' proceeds to aid Holocaust survivors
AMY ANTHONY, Associated Press

BOSTON: -- A Boston-based publishing company has decided to donate proceeds from Adolf Hitler's infamous manifesto "Mein Kampf" to a local organization that works with aging Holocaust survivors.

The move comes after publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was criticized by Jewish advocates for its plans to donate proceeds and royalties from the book to Boston-area cultural organizations, and not necessarily to those that combat anti-Semitism.

Following the backlash, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt partnered with Boston-based Combined Jewish Philanthropies to determine "how best to provide aid directly to the victims of the horrific events of the Holocaust," Andrew Russell, the publisher's director of corporate social responsibility, said in a statement.

Moving forward, the proceeds from "Mein Kampf" will be donated to Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Boston for "direct support of the health and human services needs of (Holocaust) survivors," Russell said.

The publisher had been donating proceeds from sales of the book to organizations that combat anti-Semitism since 2000, but last year announced they were going to widen the scope to include other cultural organizations. That caused Jewish advocates to speak out. They now welcome the decision to focus on Holocaust-specific causes.

"JF&CS will direct the grant money exclusively to support the needs of the Holocaust survivors we meet with every day," JF&CS CEO Rimma Zelfand said in a statement. "As Holocaust survivors grow increasingly frail, many of our clients have a far greater need for care than is covered by our existing funding."

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt declined to provide the annual amount of proceeds generated from the book.

Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf" — or "My Struggle" — after he was jailed following the failed 1923 coup attempt known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Millions of copies were printed after the Nazis took power in 1933. The rambling tome set out his ultranationalist, anti-Semitic and anti-communist ideology, which would culminate in the Holocaust and a war of conquest in Europe.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has published a version of the book continuously since 1933. During World War II, proceeds were directed to the U.S. Justice Department. In 1979, the publishing firm reclaimed its royalty rights and kept the book's proceeds for itself until 2000, when it began donating the funds to combat anti-Semitism, according to The Boston Globe.

The New England branch of the Anti-Defamation League praised the publisher's decision to donate all the proceeds to JF&CS, calling it a "smart choice" to direct the funds to those whose lives were most affected by the book.

Robert Trestan, regional director for the ADL, said the decision is important now more than ever. His organization says anti-Semitism is on the rise globally.

"It's a reminder that efforts need to be put into combatting anti-Semitism, educating the next generation about the Holocaust and, of course, supporting the victims," Trestan said.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-06-30

[piersbeckett]

What a pity he was sent down in 1923 and not put down.

[Kasset Tak]

Why are the Jews angry?!
Yes, about 6 million Jews died in the holocaust but it wasn't only Jews who died but also gays, Romanis, Jahovah's Witnesses and others that count for about 5 million people who died in the Nazi ethnic cleansing. So basically the Jews should get 55% and the other 45% should be dispersed among the other groups. As they say anti-antisemitism is on the raise but so is the violence against gays (the Orlando shooting is one resent example) so they need to get funds too but sadly that will never happen because as we can clearly read in the article, some people want it all...

[soalbundy]

well that shouldn't empty the kitty

[BuaBS]

All the proceeds go to a handful survivors that are still alive ?

[The manic]

It's a best seller in the MENA region. In Arabic not German or English.

[Norvid]

"Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf" — or "My Struggle" — after he was jailed following the failed 1923 coup attempt known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Millions of copies were printed after the Nazis took power in 1933. The rambling tome set out his ultranationalist, anti-Semitic and anti-communist ideology, which would culminate in the Holocaust and a war of conquest in Europe."

I think this needs an explanation.

" anti-Semitic and anti-communist ideology" - this was Hitler war of NATIONAL SOCIALISM against Jewish INTERNATIONAL SOCIALISM. The national socialism died with Hitler's suicide in 1945 and Jewish international socialism - Internationalism - flourished in Soviet Union and had be forced to all nations conquered by Judeosocialist Soviet Union. Good that the proceeds goes to the victims, but not only Jews were the victims. All nations starting with Polish people from 1939 on ward when Germany crossed Polish borders. All concentration camps build by Germans on Polish territory was done by Polish prisoners, who were mostly then liquidated by the Germans. Note that the word NAZI used today is misleading. It's like some people from the moon did all these crimes and not a well known nation. National Socialists Party was not having 60 millions GHerman members, but Germans supported the regime due to too many facts to mention here. So the crimes were committed by Germans. Do not forget 22 000 Polish officers murdered soviets NKVD in 1940 in Katyn on direct recommendation of Lavrentij Beria. The Soviet Union , like Germany, crossed the Polish borders in September 1939 and started like Germans mass deportations and liquidation of anybody with higher education. Genocide was in full swing. All together Germans and Russian committed holocaust on Polish citizens. The word holocaust belongs to all who perished in mass. There are plenty of these examples all around the world.

I think this was needed. the medias are one sided unfortunately.