What role did the Jewish council play in the deportations?

The role of the Jewish council during the deportations was primarily to serve as an intermediary between the Jewish community and the German authorities. This often involved communicating important information regarding the impending deportations to the community. By informing people about what was happening, the council aimed to prepare them for the realities they were facing, even though the information was sometimes limited and did not always ensure the safety of those involved.

In the context of the time, the Jewish councils, known as Judenräte, were tasked with various administrative duties under Nazi rule, which included the dissemination of information. While they had a difficult and often fraught role, their efforts were primarily geared towards informing the community rather than organizing resistance, collaborating fully with the Germans, or attempting negotiations for more favorable terms. The complex dynamics of their position put them in a challenging place between the pressures of the occupying forces and the needs of the Jewish population.