For Dr. Jason Lantzer, Assistant Director of the University Honors Program, history is not just about recounting the past but understanding its enduring influence. His latest book, Dwight Eisenhower and the Holocaust: A History, examines President Eisenhower’s response to the Holocaust and the long-term effects of that experience on his leadership and legacy. The work combines Lantzer’s passion for uncovering untold stories with his commitment to helping students engage deeply with history.
The idea for the book began with a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum during Butler University’s Washington, D.C., Semester program. Accompanying a student conducting Holocaust research, Lantzer encountered a quote from Eisenhower prominently displayed at the museum’s entrance, documenting the General’s reaction upon seeing the Nazi concentration camps. The moment stuck with him.
“As a historian, it really bothered me that no one seemed to have explored how this experience shaped Eisenhower beyond that famous quote,” Lantzer said. “He saw these atrocities as a general, but what impact did it have on his presidency and foreign policy? That question became the driving force behind the book.”
Lantzer’s research took him on trips to Germany, where he followed Eisenhower’s footsteps and uncovered new insights into the complex relationship between World War II, the Holocaust, and the post-war world. “Walking those paths and visiting museums added layers to my understanding that I could never have gained from reading alone,” he said.
Supporting Holocaust Scholarship at Butler
Lantzer’s work aligns with Butler University’s growing engagement in Holocaust research and education. Thanks to the Bruce & Lucy Gerstein Holocaust Education Fund, students from all majors have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate research on the Holocaust. This endowed fund, established by Dr. David Gerstein in honor of his parents, supports travel and projects related to Holocaust studies, enabling students to explore topics with both depth and firsthand experience. Dr. Gerstein, passionate about fostering diverse uses of the fund, hopes it will inspire meaningful research and learning across disciplines.
“The Gerstein Fund has opened doors for students to engage with Holocaust studies in meaningful ways,” Lantzer said. “It’s a phenomenal resource for undergraduate research and highlights one of Butler’s greatest strengths: personalized, impactful learning experiences.”
Lantzer also collaborates with colleagues like Graham Honaker, whose work with Dr. Alex Kor has further enriched Butler’s connection to Holocaust studies. Dr. Kor, the son of Holocaust survivors Eva and Mickey Kor, carries his parents’ remarkable legacy through education and advocacy. Eva Kor and her twin sister survived the inhumane experiments of Dr. Josef Mengele at Auschwitz, while Mickey endured years of forced labor at Buchenwald before escaping with the aid of U.S. troops.
Dr. Kor’s book, A Blessing, Not a Burden, offers a poignant account of his family’s resilience and the lessons they passed down. Proceeds from the book support the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center and the Eva Mozes Kor Scholarship at Butler University. Together with the Gerstein Fund, these resources underscore Butler’s dedication to Holocaust education and the vital need to preserve its memory.
“Having two books closely tied to Holocaust studies emerge from Butler in the past six months is an exciting moment for the University,” Lantzer said. “We’re not a center for Holocaust studies, but we’re building a strong foundation, and I’d love to see us capitalize on this momentum.”
Engaging Students in History
This fall, Lantzer accompanied a student award recipient to Germany to explore how Kristallnacht is remembered in the U.S. versus Germany. “Walking through history with students and giving them the tools to engage critically with these topics is incredibly fulfilling,” he said. “It’s not just about the research—it’s about seeing history through their eyes and helping them connect it to the present.”
Through partnerships with organizations like CANDLES and opportunities like the Gerstein Fund, Butler is creating spaces for students to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust while fostering broader conversations about memory, resilience, and justice.
Preserving Memory in Modern Contexts
Lantzer’s research also resonates with pressing contemporary issues, from the rise of antisemitism to the ways societies remember and respond to atrocities. “As a historian, I feel a responsibility to preserve these stories and explore how they resonate in modern contexts,” Lantzer said. “Understanding the decisions and limitations of the past can help us navigate today’s challenges.”
The upcoming publication of an edited volume, featuring insights from a workshop at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, represents Lantzer’s continued commitment to exploring the Holocaust’s impact on Eisenhower and his soldiers. At the same time, his teaching and collaboration with students ensure that this important work remains alive for future generations.
For Lantzer, history isn’t just about understanding what happened—it’s about learning from it. His work on Eisenhower and the Holocaust, alongside his other scholarship, serves as a powerful reminder of how the past continues to shape the present and inspires others to explore the complexities of memory, leadership, and resilience.