The ninety-three Bais Yaakov girls of Cracow: History or typology

Abstract

Jewish martyrdom during the Holocaust is a tragic and emotionally charged issue for anyone examining Jewish life under Nazi rule. During the past generation, a number of accounts of both physical and spiritual martyrdom have metamorphosed into much more than stories of bravery in the face of adversity. With the passage of time, the historical events have become symbolic parables woven into the tapestry of Jewish heroism and have taken their place in the historical legendary chronicles of the Jewish peoples. One such episode is that of the alleged martyrdom of 93 young women, students of the Bais Yaakov school for girls in Cracow during the summer of 1942. Few precise historical facts are known about this incident; yet, within months of its alleged occurrence, it, became a prime example of exalted and laudable Jewish behavior in the face of Nazi persecution. (from Introduction)