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FAITH IN CRISIS Investigating the Evolution of Jewish Spirituality During the Holocaust and Its Aftermath

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Holocaust, a period of profound Jewish persecution from 1942 to 1945, has presented one of the most significant challenges to Jewish faith in modern history. This study aimed to clarify the religious responses to the Holocaust and their relationship with the psychological outcomes of survivors. By exploring how religious practices influenced mental health and assessing changes in faith post-Holocaust, the research sought to provide an in-depth understanding of modern Jewish identity and faith challenges. The research employed a qualitative thematic analysis, focusing on pre-recorded narratives and memoirs from Holocaust survivors. These sources provided first-hand accounts of how the Holocaust impacted their faith and spirituality. The study population consisted of Holocaust survivors whose experiences and expressions of faith were analyzed to identify recurring themes and patterns. The literature review revealed a duality in survivor memory and faith. Some survivors maintained or even strengthened their faith, attributing their survival to their religious beliefs. Others, however, experienced a significant decline in faith, struggling to reconcile their traumatic experiences with their religious beliefs. The analysis of memoirs and narratives highlighted this spectrum of responses, from those who adapted religious practices to survive to those who abandoned their faith altogether. The study found that the Holocaust significantly influenced the worldviews of survivors, with changes in faith occurring at various points during and after their internment. For some, faith provided a source of resilience and survival, while for others, the horrors they witnessed led to a profound crisis of faith. The thematic analysis revealed that the psychological outcomes of survivors were closely linked to their religious and spiritual beliefs. Those who retained their faith often reported better mental health outcomes, while those who lost their faith experienced greater psychological distress. In conclusion, the Holocaust had a complex and multifaceted impact on the religious and psychological lives of Jewish survivors. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the role of faith in coping with trauma and the diverse ways in which individuals respond to such profound crises. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between faith, trauma, and identity among Holocaust survivors, offering valuable insights for future studies on the long-term effects of extreme trauma on religious beliefs and mental health
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19817326
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7155803277
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