America First

The Story of Sol Bloom, the Most Powerful Jew in Congress During the Holocaust

"Concise, deeply-researched, readable, and clearly-argued."
— Edward Shapiro, PhD, professor emeritus of history, Seton Hall University

"Elliot Resnick’s consideration of Sol Bloom in America First has forced me to reexamine my opinion of the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee…. I had previously all-too-easily accepted the cliché’s portrayal that he was too timid and meek, either afraid or unwilling to advance Jewish interests at the most important time in our people’s history. Resnick has proven these opinions wrong and Bloom emerges as a far more complex character, more deeply as a caring proud Jew."
— Michael Berenbaum, PhD, renowned historian, project director
overseeing the creation of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

He helped thousands. He even saved the Gerrer Rebbe's life. But he never berated President Roosevelt for failing to rescue more European Jews from the Nazi inferno.

Sol Bloom – a colorful character who introduced the Ferris Wheel to the world in 1893 – chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives during World War II and valiantly steered both Cash-and-Carry and Lend-Lease through Congress. Yet, he disappointed Jewish rescue activists. For while Bloom was a proud Jew, as a high-ranking congressman he felt obligated to put the interests of his country – as he understood them – above all else. And that meant supporting Roosevelt as he led America against the greatest threat mankind has perhaps ever known.

Bloom's life is a unique prism through which to examine the question that continues to haunt so many: Why didn't America do more to save Jews during the Holocaust?

Hardcover | 226 pages