Holocaust...never forgotten.
I have a million and one papers to write (ok, maybe just 3...but their total word count requirement is over 5.5k), but I wanted to post a comment about a guest speaker at work today. I was honored to be an audience member to Rabbi Berkowitz, author of the book "The boy who lost his birthday."
Rabbi Berkowitz told his story about living through the holocaust, living thru several concentration camps. I can't imagine the horror he saw...in fact, the parts that were surely terrifying even the Rabbi didn't recall. I'm guessing that's a defense mechanism on his behalf. He was only 16 years of age when he was deported from Hungary by train into the largest German concentration camp, Auschwitz. Although the Rabbi saw the stacks and smoke from the crematoriums located on-site, he told himself they were bakeries. He saw the Roma (gypsy) population daily, and saw the day all the Romas suddenly disappeared (later to find out they were killed). As a little boy, he dreamed of walking along sidewalks vs. marching in the middle of the street with an armed soldier. As a prisoner, he envied birds flying in the sky because of their freedom. As smart kid, stuck in horror & torture beyond belief. The survivor of such a horrific event had several great reminders and value-adds to my toolbox of information:
Rabbi Berkowitz told his story about living through the holocaust, living thru several concentration camps. I can't imagine the horror he saw...in fact, the parts that were surely terrifying even the Rabbi didn't recall. I'm guessing that's a defense mechanism on his behalf. He was only 16 years of age when he was deported from Hungary by train into the largest German concentration camp, Auschwitz. Although the Rabbi saw the stacks and smoke from the crematoriums located on-site, he told himself they were bakeries. He saw the Roma (gypsy) population daily, and saw the day all the Romas suddenly disappeared (later to find out they were killed). As a little boy, he dreamed of walking along sidewalks vs. marching in the middle of the street with an armed soldier. As a prisoner, he envied birds flying in the sky because of their freedom. As smart kid, stuck in horror & torture beyond belief. The survivor of such a horrific event had several great reminders and value-adds to my toolbox of information:
- Material things don't matter... only family and friends have true value.
- The kindness of strangers has astonishing and long-lasting power.
- Everyone seeks and deserves their dignity, its human nature.
- We should honor God and although he gives mankind the choice in life, we must use our blessed life for good.
I can't describe how breath-taking it was to hear the tale of the during and after holocaust story by Rabbi Berkowitz. The sweet man is 87 and accomplished many things in life. I was touched by his upbeat attitude and dedication to see the beauty in life, even after seeing such horror. He didn't loose hope in humanity, in fact it grew and now he inspires others.
Ahhh-mazing story!
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