The fate of Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War is a subject on which a number of experts work seriously and thoroughly both in Bulgaria and abroad. Some of them argue that historical events are too recent and still it is difficult to give estimates for them. Others are of the opinion that namely the fact that there are numerous available documents from that period and living witnesses of the events which makes difficult their interpretation.
The Organization of Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom” has set as its main priority the study of events in Bulgaria in the years of the Holocaust and generally assist researchers and scientists in their work on the topic. OJB “Shalom” unites its members who are interested and publicly defend different understandings on key controversial issues, namely: Who is to be credited for the saving the Bulgarian Jews? Which Jews are identified as Bulgarian? Who is responsible for the deaths of 11,343 Jews from Thrace, Vardar Macedonia and Pirot?
The organization firmly defends the position that it is a historical fact that the Bulgarian Jews were saved from deportation to the Nazi death camps as a result of the actions of the majority of Bulgarian people, Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Bulgarian non-fascist public. For this act of the Bulgarians, Jews will always be grateful and will always mourn and honor the memory of the innocent victims of northern Greece, former Yugoslavia and Europe.
The Organization of Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom” is not a scientific organization and therefore is not in a position to adjudicate and give estimates on controversial and complex historical events such as the fate of Jews during the Holocaust. Therefore, in this section we offer the professional view of Assoc. Prof. in contemporary Bulgarian history Rumyana Marinova-Hristidi from the Faculty of History of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
The Fate of the Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust – the Menace, the Rescue, the Aliya
- Sign banning the access of Jews; photo: Central State Archives
- Sign with the star of David for marking Jewish homes; photo Central State Archives
- A question from Prof. Petko Staynov, member of parliament, for the Prime-minister and the Minister of internal affairs regarding the deportation of the Aegean Jews. Sofia, March 22nd, 1943. photo: Central State Archives
- A question from Prof. Petko Staynov, member of parliament, for the Prime-minister and the Minister of internal affairs regarding the deportation of the Aegean Jews. Sofia, March 22nd, 1943. Central State Archives
- Petko Stoyanov Staynov (1890-1972) – professor, jurist, politician and a public figure; member of parliament of the XXV National Assembly; Minister of foreign affairs. Archives States Agency, Library
- Dimitar Peshev, Deputy chairman of the XXV National Assembly; photo: Central State Archives
- A protest letter by Dimitar Peshev, deputy chairman of the XXV National Assembly, re-signed by 42 members of parliament and addressed to prime-minister Bogdan Filov against the expulsion of the Jews from Bulgaria. Sofia, March 17th, 1943. Central State Archivess
- Протестно писмо от Димитър Пешев, подпредседател на ХХV Обикновено народно събрание, приподписано от 42-ма народни представители до проф. Богдан Филов, министър-председател, против изселването на евреите извън границите на България. София, 17 март 1943 г. ЦДА A protest letter by Dimitar Peshev, deputy chairman of the XXV National Assembly, re-signed by 42 members of parliament and addressed to prime-minister Bogdan Filov against the expulsion of the Jews from Bulgaria. Sofia, March 17th, 1943. Central State Archives
- A protest letter by Dimitar Peshev, deputy chairman of the XXV National Assembly, re-signed by 42 members of parliament and addressed to prime-minister Bogdan Filov against the expulsion of the Jews from Bulgaria. Sofia, March 17th, 1943. Central State Archivess
- Dimitar Iosifov Peshev, Bulgarian politician and public figure (1894-1975), minister of justice (1935-1936), deputy chairman of the ХХІV and ХХV National Assembly (19338-1943). Central State Archives, Fond 1335K
- Stefan (1878-1957) – Bulgarian Exarch (1945-1948). Archimandrite (1911), Bishop (1921), Sofia Metropolitan (1922). A defender of the Bulgarian Jews during WWII. Central State Archives
- Kiril (1901-1971) – Bulgarian Patriach (1953-1971). Historian, doctor of theology (1927), academician (1970). Stobian bishop (1936), Plovdiv Metropolitan (1938), patriarch and Sofia metropolitan (1953). In 1943, he supports and defends his fellow-citizens Jews who are from Plvodiv. He sends a telegram to tsar Boris ІІІ with the following content: “In God’s name I sincerely plead Your Highness for mercy for the Jews!” Central State Archives
- Assen Suichmezov, a participant in the Kyustendil delegation. A righteous man of the world. State Archives – Kyustendil, Fond 278К
- Ivan Momchilov, a participant int eh Kystendil delegation. A righteous man of the world. Archives State Agency, Library
- Vladimir Kurtev, a participant in the Kyustendil Delegation. A righteous man of the world. Archives State Agency, Library
- Petar Mihalev, member of parliament to the ХХVth National Assembly and a participant in the Kyustendil Delegation that visited Dimitar Peshev, deputy chairman of the National Assembly. Archives State Agency, Library
- Georgi Kenderov, a member of parliament of the XXVth National Assembly, one of the 43 members of parliaments, who signed the protest letter to Bogdan Filov. State Archives – Pazardjik, Fond 779