How did the Jews in the Caucasus survive the Holocaust and how they outwitted the Nazis (THREAD).

In July 1942, the Nazi German army began to occupy territories in Northern and harmed the Jewish communities living in this area.

Some of the Caucasian Jews, also known as Mountains Jews were taken to Bogdanovka concentration camp and were massacred.
When several wealthy families were shot and the situation of the Jews began to worsen, the Jews tried to ward off the danger.

They convinced the Nazis that they’re not Jews but a Caucasian tribe. They enlisted the help of the Caucasian Muslim population, the leader of the council of one of the republics turned to the Nazis and said that they’re of Caucasian origin and not of a Jewish descent.

The Jews began an operation of concealment, they hid all their holy books, treasures, costumes, anything that could imply that they’re Jewish they had buried underground. The Nazis interrogated them about their religion, language, costumes and traditions.

Known case was when they had to take away and hide the Torah scrolls and Jewish articles from a synagogue, so they staged a funeral and forged a plague. The Nazis didn’t suspect and fear the plague, they didn’t accompany the funeral and so the Jews buried the holy books safely.

Although the Caucasian Jews did suffer from harassment, some were murdered, shot, robbed but thanks to their sophistication and cleverness many of them also survived and evaded the racist regime.