Finkelstein: It is true that Rutherford at the time of Hitler's control over Germany wrote a letter to him of acceptance of his regime but that was to done so to help the WTS operate without condemnation or intrusion from Hitler and his political ideology.
Well...you can color it that way. Rutherford was not against Hitler's ideology...as long it it served to benefit Rutherford.
In reality, the letter was an attempt to get the WTS printing presses in Germany released back to the WTS. When Hitler came to power in 1933, the very first thing he did was take control of ALL press, including seizing the WTS printing presses.
"...to help the WTS operate without condemnation or intrusion from Hitler and his political ideology" is not correct. Rutherford tried very hard to align himself and his new religion, the Jehovah's witnesses, with Hitler's ideology. He wanted his money maker, the WTS, to operate freely and spread whatever propaganda they wanted. Hitler didn't want that - he wanted control of ALL propaganda.
Rutherford employed the help of the US government in getting his precious printing presses released under terms of the Versailles Treaty. When the presses were seized for a second time...that was when Rutherford came out against the Nazis...if he had been allowed to keep his printing pre$$e$, the stance of the JWs in Germany would have been radically different.