"Pope Pius fought to save Jews behind the scenes, Benedict says" by Victor L. Simpson, Associated Press | January 18, 2010
ROME - In a synagogue visit haunted by history, Pope Benedict XVI and Jewish leaders sparred yesterday over the record of the World War II-era pope during the Holocaust and agreed on the need to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations.
Both sides said the visit to the seat of the oldest Jewish community in the diaspora was an occasion to overcome what Benedict called “every misconception and prejudice.’’
Signs of the Jewish community’s tragic history were abundant....
Why is theirs so special?
Many Jews object to....
What don't they?
"Stolen sign returned to Auschwitz" by Associated Press | January 22, 2010
WARSAW - The infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei’’ sign stolen last month from Auschwitz and broken into three pieces was returned to the museum at the site of the Nazi death camp yesterday.
Police, who had quickly recovered the damaged sign after its theft, gave it to museum officials at a brief ceremony in Krakow. It was then taken to the museum 50 miles away, where preservation specialists examined the three dark steel pieces of the sign, whose cynical Nazi slogan means “Work Sets You Free.’’
Thieves had cut up the sign at the site of the death camp the night of their heist to make it easier to transport. Five Polish suspects have confessed to stealing it on Dec. 18. Officials, however, are still seeking a suspected neo-Nazi from Sweden who is believed to have ordered the theft, possibly for a collector of Nazi memorabilia, prosecutors said.
The sign has been examined in recent weeks by police forensic specialists for evidence, and the museum’s specialists will assess the damage and determine how to repair it, said Pawel Sawicki, Auschwitz spokesman. “It’s a very long process,’’ Sawicki said, stressing that the sign would not be returned any time soon to its original spot above the main entrance at Auschwitz - if at all.
Sawicki said officials must decide whether to put back the sign or leave up the replica. Rabbi Andrew Baker, a member of the International Auschwitz Council, said that the group hasn’t met on the matter but that he believes the original sign should be returned to maintain the historical authenticity of the site.
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