Between Two Worlds

“A fresh perspective on the aftermath of trauma . . . . Drawing on rich archival sources, historian Judd makes her book debut with a sensitive, well-researched history of marriages between survivors of the Holocaust and American, British, and Canadian military personnel . . . . Judd’s stories of “loss, recovery, power, and unbelonging” stand as testimony to the triumph of survival.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A new piece of the Holocaust story that will be of interest to readers of Jewish studies, women’s history, and Holocaust studies.”—Library Journal

“Between Two Worlds is elegantly crafted and beautifully written, making it a pleasure to read and suggesting that its reach may well extend beyond purely academic circles. . . . [This book] makes significant contributions to modern Jewish historiography, gender and family history, and the study of migration in the post-Holocaust world. The stories it reconstructs offer rare glimpses into the lingering effects of trauma in the most intimate spheres and shed light on the hopes and dreams for new lives in new places in the years and decades after Europe’s darkest hour.”—American Historical Review

“An important book introducing a new area of investigation while reinforcing previous research that demonstrates how reconnection was a significant step on the road to emotional recovery.”—American Jewish History

“In a concise, narratively driven work, Judd successfully uses her extensive archival research and oral history interviews to present the intimate, affective experiences of war brides within an international landscape amid shifting regulatory laws. Her literary strengths make the book suitable for both academic and general audiences.”—Canadian Jewish Studies / Études juives canadiennes

“Judd’s focus on Jewish war brides demonstrates the unexpected ways in which Jewish spaces, languages, and cultures were key mediating factors in coming to terms with a post-genocide world. . . . [A] sensitive and nuanced exploration of Jewish lives during the Holocaust.”—Contemporary European History

“An engrossing discussion of a little-considered subject. . . . [I]t is impressive that [Judd] has written a book that so thoughtfully explains the significance of [the Jewish war brides’] story for our understanding of Holocaust survivors and their experiences after the war.”—H-Diplo

“This poignant, deeply researched text furthers readers’ understanding of the complicated meetings, courtship weddings, immigration, and acculturation of Jewish war brides following the Shoah. . . . Reclaimed postwar Jewish autonomy and the creative management of problem-solving shine through the voices of those whose stories populate this readable book. . . . Recommended.”—CHOICE

“Terrific history. Drilling down on the unspooling lives of Jewish war brides and their servicemen fiancés/husbands, Between Two Worlds breaks entirely new ground. In clean, muscular prose, Judd addresses the messiness of liberation, grieving, and—at the same time—falling in love. ” —Debórah Dwork, director of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes against Humanity at the CUNY Graduate Center