YAD VASHEM - A Man of Vision and Action Avner Shalev Retires as Yad Vashem Chairman (4-9) - American Society for Yad Vashem
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YAD VASHEM
Vol. 94, Winter 2021
JERUSALEM
A Man of Vision and Action
Avner Shalev Retires as Yad Vashem Chairman (4-9)
A Man of Vision and Action
Avner Shalev Retires as Yad Vashem Chairman | 4-9
International Holocaust Remembrance Day | 10-15
“My Lost Childhood”
New Online Exhibition on Children’s Homes
for Holocaust Survivors | 16-19
Starting Anew
The Rehabilitation of Child Survivors of the Holocaust
in the Early Postwar Years | 20-21
In Their Own Voice
CONTENTS
The Djurin Orphanage Testimony Project | 22-27
International Book Prize
Awarded to Publication on Child Labor | 28-29
Rescue by Jews During the Holocaust | 30-33
New Exhibition and Stamp Honor
Jewish Rescuers | 34-35
“For the Sake of My People”
Efforts by Jews to Rescue Other Jews in the Face of
Total Annihilation | 36-39
Closing Circles
Online Information and Reference Services Help
Family Discover New Information | 40-43
Dilemmas and Morality Among Jews During the
Reality of the Holocaust | 44-45
10 16 36 46
Golda Maria
Winner of the 2020 Avner Shalev Award | 46-49
Poetry and the Holocaust
New Free Online Course Reflects on Literary Works
of Jewish Authors | 50-51
COMMEMORATION ONLINE RESCUE COLLECTIONS Graduate Spotlight: Belarus | 52-54
News | 55-61
INTERNATIONAL “MY LOST “FOR THE SAKE GOLDA MARIA Sheldon Adelson (1933-2021)
Loyal Friend and Patron of the Mount of
HOLOCAUST CHILDHOOD” OF MY PEOPLE” WINNER OF THE 2020 Remembrance | 62-63
REMEMBRANCE NEW ONLINE EXHIBITION ON EFFORTS BY JEWS TO RESCUE
AVNER SHALEV AWARD Friends Worldwide | 64-70
DAY CHILDREN’S HOMES FOR OTHER JEWS IN THE FACE OF
HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS TOTAL ANNIHILATION
Do you have
?
On the cover: anything you
Avner Shalev in the Hall of would like to say
Names, Holocaust History
Museum. 4-9
about this edition
Please click here
NEWS
A MAN OF Avner Shalev:
“Our visitors
are inspired by
individual narratives
of the Holocaust.”
VISION AND
ACTION
AVNER SHALEV RETIRES
AS YAD VASHEM CHAIRMAN
I
n 1993, Shalev, a former IDF Though Shalev was born in educator at heart, I understood that
Brigadier General and then 1939 in Jerusalem to parents who our most important mission was in
Director General of the Culture had emigrated from Poland, his the area of education. Though Yad
Authority in Israel’s Ministry family did not emerge from WWII Vashem had already assembled a
Avner Shalev has long been the public face of Yad Vashem, welcoming
of Education and Culture, was unscathed. “Some of my aunts very impressive archive and held
popes, presidents and prime ministers to the Mount of Remembrance. approached by Dr. Yitzhak Arad, and uncles were murdered in the important memorial ceremonies,
Chairman of the Yad Vashem Shoah, together with their children. including the annual State
Yet Shalev is far more than a master of ceremonies. For the past 27 Directorate, who suggested My family, just like all Jewish families Opening Ceremony for Holocaust
he take over the position. “The who lost relatives and friends Remembrance Day, I knew that we
years, he has been the driving force behind the numerous changes and idea was not mine,” says Shalev during the Holocaust, mourned needed to foster teaching about
candidly, “he tried to convince their death until their last days.” the Holocaust in order to reach the
advancements that have secured Yad Vashem’s status as the world’s
me, unsuccessfully.” Finally, Prime next generations.”
leading source of Holocaust remembrance and education. Minister Yitzhak Rabin urged him New Leadership, New Direction First on the agenda was the
to accept the offer. “At that point, I Shalev recalls his first major decision creation of a global educational
couldn’t refuse.” as Yad Vashem Chairman. “As an center, providing the necessary
04 NEWS NEWS 05
NEWS A MAN OF VISION AND ACTION
AVNER SHALEV RETIRES AS YAD VASHEM CHAIRMAN
tools to ensure that the Holocaust
would remain a relevant topic to
the Jewish people and humanity
for future generations. It is for this The International School for Holocaust Studies
reason that he established the
has developed an exceptional multidisciplinary
International School for Holocaust
Studies, “in order to attract educational philosophy, teaching the Holocaust in an
educators, community leaders
and opinion shapers from Israel age- and culturally-appropriate manner
and all over the world to view Yad
Vashem and its distinct approach
to the Holocaust as an invaluable
educational and remembrance Educating about and researching and active network of partnerships
resource.” the Holocaust, notes Shalev, is far and agreements with institutions,
Each year the International School more than speaking about the cattle friends and donors from all over the
trains thousands of educators to cars, the death camps, and forced world, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.” Surrounded by delegates to the International
Youth Congress, January 2008
teach the history of the Holocaust, labor. Of equal importance, he
develops pedagogic and didactic says, is learning how the Jews lived, Memory for the Sake of the
tools, and conducts educational particularly in the years prior to the Future
workshops for hundreds of Holocaust. “In order to understand The development of a modern
thousands of youth and soldiers. what the world and humanity lost, it museum complex on the Mount of Vashem’s core tasks. To that end, “We believe that it isn’t enough Yad Vashem is using technology in
It has developed an exceptional is essential to study what was once Remembrance that complements the institution has continued to to just fight the spread of hate- the area of testimony as well. “We
multidisciplinary educational there. We must recognize the rich Yad Vashem’s endeavors was expand and develop its collections, filled lies,” Shalev adds. “It is also are endeavoring to assemble all of
philosophy, teaching the Holocaust and deeply rooted lives the Jews of also undertaken under Shalev’s including the Central Database of incumbent upon us to bolster the the visual testimony in the world,
in an age- and culturally-appropriate Europe and North Africa led before direction, and tells the complete Shoah Victims’ Names, survivor presence of the facts and truth, including from other collections,
manner. the destruction of the Shoah – story of the Holocaust from the testimonies, artifacts, artworks and ensuring that this information is which together number more than
In addition to fundamental their creativity and contribution to point of view of its victims – Jewish documentation from the Holocaust accessible to each and every person, 130,000 interviews,” says Shalev.
Holocaust education, Yad Vashem’s local and general culture as well men, women and children. “The period. Yad Vashem preserves and in as many languages and on as many What is key, he emphasizes, is knowing
renowned International Institute as their influence in many aspects Holocaust History Museum [which catalogs its unparalleled assets platforms as possible. In addition, we how to utilize visual material. “Every
for Holocaust Research promotes of technological advancements of Shalev curated] is the cornerstone from the Holocaust era, scans offer online courses and lectures year, we teach how to integrate
academic investigation of the the twentieth century. Yad Vashem of much of the activity here in millions of archival documents about the Holocaust and antisemitism these testimonies into courses for a
Holocaust through a myriad of therefore encourages academic Jerusalem. Each year [save for each year, and makes them in order to help understand, identify range of learners, both in the formal
angles, holds international study and teaches students and during the COVID-19 pandemic], accessible online. Many are and deal with the phenomena in it and informal spheres. I believe that
conferences and workshops for educators about the lives of the the museum attracts some one available on the Yad Vashem many varied forms.” our expertise in knowing how to
novice and veteran scholars, and Jews in prewar Europe, North Africa, million visitors, to learn from and be website, currently in eight languages, Shalev notes that despite the use the video testimony of survivors
publishes dozens of academic and the Balkans. It is an integral inspired by individual narratives of as part of online exhibitions new technologies continually being will continue to have an impact on
papers and publications every part of the story that we tell.” the Holocaust, including firsthand and databases, thus harnessing introduced, there is no substitute for millions of lives around the world.”
year. “Free and impartial research Of course, he adds, “the testimonies from the survivors.” modern technology in the service of face-to-face contact in communicating Certainly, these types of videos
is the very basis of our educational implementation of Yad Vashem’s Indeed, preserving the memories Holocaust remembrance for future a message or idea. Nevertheless, as were used in the permanent
efforts,” clarifies Shalev. vision is bolstered through a strong of the Holocaust is one of Yad generations. the survivor generation dwindles, ‘Shoah’ exhibition in Block 27 at the
06 NEWS NEWS 07
NEWS A MAN OF VISION AND ACTION
AVNER SHALEV RETIRES AS YAD VASHEM CHAIRMAN
In the current period of political to cultivate and uphold basic moral friendships; they chose to live and
In early 2020, Shalev
instability, Shalev expressed values. After all, it was one of the to love.”
welcomed over 50 world his willingness to assist Ronen most advanced modern societies
leaders to Yad Vashem
for the Fifth World Plot, Deputy Chairman of the in the world that caused the This interview is based on an article
Holocaust Forum.
Directorate, to the full extent complete collapse of those intrinsic that appeared in “The Jerusalem Post.”
necessary during the period of values during the Holocaust.” In
his service as volunteer Acting contrast to this stark warning,
Chairman. “I deeply appreciate that Shalev’s second message is one of
Ronen willingly consented to take hope. “We should draw strength Farewell Event Recalls Three
this responsibility upon himself, from the example of Holocaust Decades of Achievements
and wish him much success.” survivors. Despite everything they and Challenges
Shalev concluded his interview went through, the vast majority of On 28 February, an online
with two messages. The first, that them chose life; instead of plotting event was held for friends,
“humanity must always remember revenge or absenting themselves colleagues and supporters
that alongside technological from society, they chose to marking almost three
advancements, we must continue build families, communities and decades of Avner Shalev’s
role as Chairman of the
Yad Vashem Directorate.
Eleven distinguished guests –
including Israel’s President
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. history, and the world continues to Facing the Future H.E. Mr. Reuven Rivlin, Prime
This powerful new multimedia see its relevance as a beacon – for As Avner Shalev retires from the Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
installation, created by Yad Vashem in understanding the consequences institution he has guided for close German Chancellor Angela
2013 and curated by Shalev, displays of leaving any form of racism or to three decades, he voices his Merkel, Chairman of the
key insights regarding the Holocaust xenophobia unchecked.” hope that it will remain a place of Jewish Agency Yitzhak Herzog,
while exposing the public to the On the matter of the messages of consensus for the entire Jewish Chairman of the Yad Vashem
prewar Jewish world; to the one-and- the Holocaust, he continues firmly: people and stay above any political Council Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
a-half million children murdered in “I wish once and for to all shatter debate. “During my tenure and the and Natan Sharansky – spoke
the Holocaust; and to documenting the erroneous impression that leadership that preceded me, Yad at the event, and five film clips
the victims in the unique Book of there exists a paradox between the Vashem ensured that Holocaust highlighted Shalev’s most
Names. Jewish significance of the Holocaust remembrance remained relevant memorable achievements
Despite all of this remarkable and the wider meaning it has for and important to the Jewish people during his tenure. On behalf of
progress, Avner Shalev suggests all of humanity. The understanding and the whole of humanity, and was Yad Vashem, Director General
that the work is far from over. of the unique implications of the led in accordance with the research- Dorit Novak presented Shalev
“Our challenge is to make sure Holocaust for Jews as well as its based historical narrative alone. Throughout his tenure with a replica of House in the
as Yad Vashem Chairman,
that the significance and meanings universal humanistic value are This is the only way to maintain its Shalev received many
Sun, Entraygues-sur-Truyère
of the Holocaust are preserved neither contradictory nor sit on standing and acceptance on the international awards, by León Weissberg. The
for generations to come, so that opposite sides of the spectrum; national and international stage, and including the medal original piece is housed in Yad
of the Spanish Order
the Jewish people continues to rather, they are both interconnected allow it to fulfill its missions in the of Civil Merit
Vashem’s Art Collection.
understand its importance in its and intertwined.” coming decades.”
08 NEWS NEWS 09
COMMEMORATION
INTERNATIONAL
HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY
While the most of the world remained under lockdown due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic, Yad Vashem held a wide variety of commemorative
and educational activities to mark the UN-sanctioned International Day of
Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, 27 January 2021.
On Wednesday 27 January, Yad at Yad Vashem’s International 90 diplomats and broadcast on
Vashem held its annual event for Institute for Holocaust Research Yad Vashem’s Youtube Channel,
foreign diplomats in Israel, this gave a lecture entitled “The Paths was moderated by Yossi Gevir,
year online. After opening remarks from Mass Shootings to the “Final Director of Governmental and
from the President of the State Solution.” The participants then External Affairs at Yad Vashem.
of Israel H.E. Reuven Rivlin, Yad viewed the filmed testimony of
Vashem Director General Dorit Holocaust survivor Max Privler, This year’s IRemember Wall, a
Novak, and Ambassador Gil Haskel, who was one of the torchlighters unique online commemorative
Chief of State Protocol at Israel’s during Holocaust Martyrs’ and project run by Yad Vashem to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Heroes’ Remembrance Day 2017. mark International Holocaust
David Silberklang, Senior Historian The event, which was attended by Remembrance Day, was available
10 COMMEMORATION COMMEMORATION 11
COMMEMORATION >> INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Partnering with Facebook, the IRemember Dina Porat to Google senior staff in
Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Wall reached a vast international audience, The talk, entitled “Defining and
with over 160,000 participants from some 242 Monitoring Antisemitism: Current
Challenges,” was part of a virtual
countries and territories around the world learning-focused speaker series on
racial equity, ethnic injustice, and
commemorating Holocaust victims in their the unique history and challenges
across the region currently being
own languages developed by Google. The event
concluded with a question and
answer session for the participants.
in six languages — English, over 160,000 participants from
Hebrew, French, Spanish, German some 242 countries and territories In the framework of their
and Russian. Each participant around the world commemorating ongoing “Zoom into Research”
who joined the wall was randomly Holocaust victims in their own online lecture series, the
linked to one of the names in languages. Each of the participants International Institute for Holocaust
Yad Vashem’s Central Database became “ambassadors of memory,” Research also conducted an
of Shoah Victims’ Names, which responsible for disseminating online event analyzing two Nazi
today includes the identities of the voices of those who were photo collections – the one
4,800,000 Jewish men, women murdered. discovered at a satellite camp
and children murdered in the of Auschwitz by 18-year-old
Holocaust. Participants could Yad Vashem launched its new Holocaust survivor Lilly Jacob that
also choose additional names of virtual tour of the “Shoah” illustrated the selection process at
Holocaust victims from the Names multimedia exhibition at Block 27 the infamous extermination camp.
Database to commemorate on in the Auschwitz-Birkenau State The so-called Auschwitz Album is
the Wall. Those who joined were Museum. The tour explores the now displayed in the Yad Vashem confirm the findings of Israeli Yad Vashem’s website in English “he Representation of the Shtetl in
encouraged to share the stories central themes of the Holocaust, Holocaust History Museum; and archeologist Yoram Haimi and his and Hebrew. The environment, Jewish Art: Between Reality and
on their social media platforms, and offers insights into the rich the one donated last year to the Polish partner Wojciech Mazurek developed by the International Fantasy.”
including Facebook, Twitter Jewish life that existed prior to United States Holocaust Memorial at the death camp. School’s e-Learning Department,
and Pinterest. For the second 1939, the world of children during Museum by the grandson of includes an animated film about the With the generous support of the
consecutive year, Yad Vashem the Shoah and the monumental Johann Niemann, Sobibor’s deputy Among the educational topic; an interactive presentation Genesis and ICHEIC Foundations,
partnered with Facebook in order Book of Names. commander, who was the first initiatives of the International centered on the Gambin shtetl an online international conference
to encourage global awareness officer killed by Jewish prisoners School for Holocaust Studies, as an example; an interview with for Russian-speaking educators
and outreach of this meaningful Special online presentations during the 1943 uprising. a new interactive learning Israeli Yiddish expert Prof. Avraham around the globe was held, entitled
project. Through this important by Yad Vashem experts for The “Sobibor Perpetrator environment on the subject of the Nowersztern; a lesson plan on “The Meanings of the Holocaust in
partnership, the project reached audiences worldwide included Collection” depicts different Eastern-European “shtetl” before the topic of yizkor remembrance a Changing World.” The conference
a vast international audience, with a lecture by Chief Historian Prof. scenes and camp guards that the Holocaust was uploaded to books; and an academic article on was attended by Yad Vashem
12 COMMEMORATION COMMEMORATION 13
COMMEMORATION >> INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY
From Yad Vashem’s Yad Vashem held online events, conducted
new online learning
environment on the
Eastern-European
educational programs and displayed exhibitions
shtetl
around the world
Invitation to
the finale of the
“Reading Together”
international
educational project
Switzerland; and Belgian students
produced an interactive photo
album and timeline that combined
the life of the individual in the
Holocaust with the general events,
and extracted the facial features
of the victims through photos and
archival documents. The three
projects were presented to all
participants in the presence of
representatives from Ehud Loeb’s
graduates – teachers, museum staff, teaching the Holocaust in an era schools met to read Bamastor family, and an interactive learning
academics and informal education of advanced technology. Another (Hidden) – the fascinating memoir environment based on Bamastor
professionals from Lithuania, focus of discussion touched on for young readers written by was uploaded to the Yad Vashem
Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus, tools and methods that may Holocaust survivor Ehud Loeb website in French.
Russia, Moldova, the United States encourage creative teaching and z”l. Each class then designed a
and Israel. During the conference, meaningful learning in the field commemorative project around Yad Vashem exhibitions were
world-renowned scholars, of the Holocaust against the the story: Spanish students created displayed around the world,
participants, and facilitators from background of a challenging and an interactive map with the help of including North America, Europe,
the International School discussed complex reality. digital applications, in which they Taiwan and the UAE. Topics
in-depth questions, such as the followed Loeb’s wanderings during included general information
educator’s place in the digital In anticipation of International the Holocaust; Greek students about the Shoah, children in
age, the possibility of empathizing Holocaust Remembrance Day, a generated a family tree with the Holocaust, women in the
with Holocaust victims despite unique project called “Reading three branches – his biological Holocaust, Muslim rescuers,
distance learning, and pedagogical Together” took place, in which family in Germany, his rescuers in Holocaust art and the Auschwitz
and moral boundaries for three French-speaking European France and his adoptive family in Album.
14 COMMEMORATION COMMEMORATION 15
ONLINE
“MY LOST
CHILDHOOD”
NEW ONLINE EXHIBITION
ON CHILDREN’S HOMES FOR
HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Yona Kobo
”
“I emerged from the death camps after enduring the most terrible experience ever
recorded in history, damaged in body and spirit. After indescribable losses – my family,
my childhood and my friends – I was overwhelmed with emotional and physical pain. Eight-year-old “Lolek,” Israel Meir
Lau (later Chief Rabbi of Israel and
The ‘Kinderheim’ [children’s home] in Blankenese restored part of my lost childhood to Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council)
on deck at Marseille in the arms of
Simone Chaumet, who came to bid
me. It became my home. My teachers and the other girls I met became my friends and farewell to the “Buchenwald boys”
she had taken care of in Écouis
my family.” before their journey to Eretz Israel
Yad Vashem Archives
16 ONLINE ONLINE 17
ONLINE >> “MY LOST CHILDHOOD”
NEW ONLINE EXHIBITION ON CHILDREN’S HOMES
FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
S
o stated Renee Kochman The children’s home in Zabrze, extremely rare for a child to agree them orphans. The idea to bring
(née Renia Baaf), who lived at Poland, which housed children to leave… Even when they had the children there was the initiative
a children’s home established who had been removed from been badly treated, they didn’t of the Jewish Agency’s “Youth As survivors themselves, the caregivers could identify
by the American Jewish Joint Christian homes and monasteries, want to go.” Aliyah” project in partnership
Distribution Committee (Joint) in is also included in the exhibition. Like many other Jewish refugee with the Joint and Dutch Jewish with the children’s pain, comprehend what they had
a formerly Jewish-owned estate Yishayahu Drucker, a chaplain children, Drucker’s charges public organizations, and with the
on the banks of the River Elba in in the Polish Army, was charged were no strangers to extreme consent of the Dutch Government. endured, and restore their faith in humanity
Blankenese, a suburb of Hamburg, with “redeeming” the children and suffering. The smiling faces in Zehava Hellman (née Goldie
Germany. bringing them to Zabrze. Drucker photographs displayed in the Kaufman) was thirteen years old
The estate in Blankensee was encountered many obstacles, exhibition inspire joy and hope, when she came to Ilania. “After the
one of many children’s homes including sometimes removing but mask profound depths of hell of the camps in Ukraine and What they lacked in experience Collections, “My Lost Childhood”
established to take care of tens the children by force against their pain, trauma and grief. Some one- the institutions in Romania, the they made up for in empathy. tells the story of a total of seven
of thousands of Jewish children wishes and those of the Poles and-a-half million Jewish children Netherlands was like paradise for As survivors themselves, they children’s homes established
who had survived the Holocaust, who had sheltered them at great and teenagers were murdered me,” Hellman recalled. “We were could identify with the children’s after the war for child Holocaust
against all the odds. It is featured personal risk during the war. “In during the Holocaust. Like the not regular children, but rather pain, comprehend what they had survivors in Poland, Hungary, the
in “’My Lost Childhood’: Children’s most cases, child survivors living adults, children experienced Holocaust refugees, plagued by endured, and restore their faith Netherlands, Germany and France.
Homes for Holocaust Survivors” – with Poles didn’t want to part from the Holocaust in all its brutality: fears and nightmares. At night, in humanity. Some operated for just a few
a new online exhibition uploaded these Polish families,” testified in ghettos, in camps, in hiding, the children would cry and scream Shmuel Rat, a Gordonia youth months, others for several years.
recently to Yad Vashem’s website. Drucker many years later. “It was wandering from place to place, and in their sleep… How comforting it movement counsellor at Ilania, The children were placed there
on the death marches. They were was to know that a night nurse was recalled the challenges of looking in an endeavor to rehabilitate
the victims of abuse, humiliation, sleeping at the end of the corridor. after the 6-16 year-olds: “It wasn’t them, return them to their people
forced labor, starvation, neglect, As soon as she heard cries or clear to me if we were really equipped and religion, and to restore their
and in some cases, even medical screams – she would materialize to shoulder the educational childhood and youth after the
experimentation. Most of them like an angel and soothe us, even responsibility for children who horrors they had endured. The
The smiling faces in lost their loved ones and were without speaking our language… had been separated from their homes were established both
photographs mask
profound depths of pain,
robbed of their childhood. Now, I blossomed there, and I think my families and relatives, orphans who at the initiative of individuals,
trauma and grief. once again, those who had sadness abated.” had personally experienced the and by youth movements and
miraculously survived suffered the The majority of the caregivers horrors of the Holocaust. My fellow childcare organizations seeking
anguish of parting and separation. and teachers in these impromptu counsellors and I had experience to provide them with warmth,
They were literally torn between homes were young adults aged 17- in organization and guidance love and education until the time
their new Polish families and their 25, sometimes only a year or two within the youth movement, but came to continue their journey –
biological parents, distant relatives older than their protégés, and most now a different kind of work was either to Eretz Israel or reunited
or Jewish organizations, all of them had little or no experience caring expected of us – to be entrusted with relatives in the United
claiming rights over the child. for children – though many were with the children’s day-to-day States, Latin America, Canada and
The “Ilania” children’s village former counsellors and members problems, and to be their only other destinations.
was situated on the site of a of Jewish youth movements. At address, replacing their parents
former Jewish psychiatric hospital their own initiative, they found or relatives.” The author is a researcher and
in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. and collected the children, Through a range of photographs, Online Exhibition Coordinator,
Children from across Romania established the homes, and gave documents and video testimonies Digital Department, Communications
were brought there – most of their charges hope for a new life. almost all from Yad Vashem’s Division.
18 ONLINE ONLINE 19RESEARCH
STARTING
children’s voices into Holocaust
research. “In the post-survivor age,”
she stated, “child survivor voices
are by no means relevant only for
Holocaust research and Jewish
history. Rather, they also open up
the possibility of cross-cultural
ANEW
comparisons between experiences
T
he publication, edited by and survival strategy in other cases
Prof. Dalia Ofer, the Hebrew of mass violence, displacement
University of Jerusalem, and genocide, and offer a window
and Zborowski Center Director into the rights and wrongs of
Dr.Sharon Kangisser Cohen is the post- traumatic rehabilitation and
amalgamation of research papers recovery.”
originally presented in July 2017 at Dr. Simone Gigliotti, Royal Holloway
a scholarly workshop hosted by the (University of London), presented
THE REHABILITATION OF Zborowski Center of Yad Vashem’s the fascinating six-month journey
International Institute for Holocaust of Polish-Jewish photographer
CHILD SURVIVORS OF THE Research.
The book examines the process
David Seymour (Dawid Szymin, aka
“Chim”), documenting child refugees
of rehabilitation of child survivors of in postwar Europe on behalf of
HOLOCAUST IN THE EARLY the Holocaust in several European
countries and North America. A
the newly established UNICEF.
“Humanitarian photography, and
POSTWAR YEARS range of scholars researched crucial
issues, such as the medical, physical
its practitioners, such as Chim,
attempted to visualize… the infliction
and psychological assistance of serious bodily and mental
provided to child refugees, the chronology, themes or geography, they learned to trust adults and harm [caused by state-sponsored
return of Jewish children from non- but that “ultimately each individual institutions again; how they lived conflict], and that children were
Jewish families and institutions, and article, and the collection, mirrored the remainder of their lives; and overwhelmingly its first victims,” she
In November 2020, a new research study, the placement of child survivors how incoherent this time had been,” – perhaps most importantly after argued. “Photographic odysseys
through various frameworks to as well as the “bewilderment and decades of scholarly investigation such as Chim’s were a necessary
Starting Anew: The Rehabilitation of Child
ensure adequate accommodation disbelief” in the mind of survivors.” into the topic – whether this kind witness to the psychology of
Survivors of the Holocaust in the Early and their physical and psychological Postwar Europe, she concluded, of research may be used to better destructive genocidal nationalism
wellbeing. “should remain one of disarray and the situation of child survivors of and its global response.”
Postwar Years, was launched in an online Duringan online symposium to confusion.” traumatic experiences today. Dr. Kangisser Cohen concluded
mark the book’s launch, Prof. Ofer Nevertheless, the publication This idea was discussed by guest that both scholars brought novel
symposium under the auspices of the Diana discussed how the two co-editors endeavors to answer major speaker Prof. Laura Jockusch, perspectives to the topic, and will
had tried to make sense of the questions concerning how child Brandeis University (Massachusetts, help continue the conversation into
and Eli Zborowski Center for the Study of the
somewhat perplexing mix of papers survivors could begin to understand USA), who gave a comprehensive new fields of research in studies of
Aftermath of the Shoah. offered by the authors in terms of normative behaviors in society; how overview of the integration of the postwar period.
20 RESEARCH RESEARCH 21COLLECTIONS
IN THEIR
File kept by Dov Harth of
his students at the Djurin
Orphanage in Transnistria
Yad Vashem Archives
OWN VOICE I
n the fall of 1941, over 150,000
Jews from Bukovina, Bessarabia
and northern Moldova in
Romania were deported to
Transnistria – the area between the
southern Bug and Dniester Rivers,
annexed to Romania in return for
aid to the German army during
THE DJURIN ORPHANAGE
its war with the USSR. They were
concentrated there, under terrible
conditions, in ghettos, camps and
far-flung communities, and lived
TESTIMONY PROJECT as refugees – with no source of
income, exposed to persecution,
abuse and exploitation by the
Romanian army and the local
population.
Ofer Lifshitz Under these circumstances, the
orphanage in the Djurin ghetto, in
the Vinnytsia county of Ukraine,
was established. The institution,
which was opened in October
1943, came to address – albeit
The papers of Dov Harth, the Director of the Djurin Orphanage partially – the plight of orphans
in the ghetto. What did it mean to
in Ukraine, reveal the sophisticated and creative way he run an orphanage in Transnistria
found to document his protégées’ experiences as deportees to during WWII?
Life at the orphanage and the
Transnistria – through a seemingly innocent writing exercise. challenges of its management
are revealed through a copy and
translation of the papers of its
director, Dov Harth, which were
recently submitted to the Yad
22 COLLECTIONS COLLECTIONS 23COLLECTIONS >> IN THEIR OWN VOICE
THE DJURIN ORPHANAGE TESTIMONY PROJECT
Pages from the responsibility for the needs –
original essay written
in Yiddish by Perl
material, educational and mental –
Postelnik of dozens of young girls and boys Dov Harth allowed those in his care to
Yad Vashem Archives entrusted to his care. Harth had to
take care of discipline and hygiene describe what he himself could not officially
– he even personally picked lice out
record: the reality of life in Transnistria for
of the heads of the children. The
presence of family members (or the deportees
one parent), in some of the cases,
only added to the complexity of
the situation for both Harth and
his charges. He operated under they were living, carrying them on the reality of life in Transnistria for
dire budgetary constrictions, with his back for miles. the deportees. Harth’s diary and
a very limited personnel – and even Harth’s diary – essentially an official the children’s file, along with the
then, was compelled to give up report to the ghetto authorities children’s essays, were preserved
staff members, when requested, on the conduct of the orphanage, by Moshe Salomon, who conducted
to forced labor. and thus written in Romanian and the orphanage choir and taught
Yet despite the difficult state then, after liberation of the area music at the institution. All of these
of the student population, Harth by the Red Army, in Ukrainian – is materials were submitted to Yad
insisted that the orphanage hold written in a matter-of-fact, task- Vashem by Salomon’s heirs.
orderly classes – which, despite oriented tone. Attached to the A small group of nine students
the inherent danger, included diary is a file used to keep track of participated in the writing project,
Hebrew and Jewish studies the children’s history, behavior and in which they were encouraged to
lessons. Yiddish became the whereabouts. The file expresses describe their lives before they had
that Harth found to document language of instruction. Under Harth’s devotion to the children, been admitted to the orphanage.
his protégées’ experiences as Harth’s direction, the institution his perceptiveness and attention The project was led by Dov Katz,
In shaky language and a variety of styles, the deportees – through a seemingly even held events and activities to the slightest aspects of their a young medical student and an
innocent writing exercise. for the general community, and characters, and his rigor in relation idealist, who, besides working
authors share shocking and traumatic experiences: When the 34-year-old Harth, managed to raise funds. to the circumstances of their lives. in the orphanage, took part in
one of the deportees from Harth was completely devoted In his official diary, Harth had assisting the ghetto hospital’s
from their difficult living conditions as refugees to Rădăuți, Bukovina, was asked to to his charges: He accompanied to choose his words carefully and medical staff as well as in the
exposure to abuse, severe violence and death take over the management of the some of the children home his observations concerning the production of local underground
orphanage in the Djurin ghetto, he after they were permitted to children’s hardships thus could newspapers circulating through
did not think twice. Though he was return from Transnistria; and not be fully expressed. This is the ghetto. (Katz survived the war,
no educator, he ran the institution embarked on a rescue mission why, according to the translator, completed his studies and worked
Vashem Archives through its The translator’s comments provide with great resourcefulness, of two orphans, a brother and he initiated a writing project. In as a physician in Israel.) The essays,
national Gathering the Fragments the context for understanding and for no payment, for some a sister, after receiving alarming this way, Dov Harth allowed those written in Yiddish in the format of
campaign (the originals are in the the documents and reveal the six months, until May 1944. A information about the difficult in his care to describe what he short autobiographies, present
Ghetto Fighters’ House archives). sophisticated and creative way lawyer by profession, Harth took conditions in the institution where himself could not officially record: the experience of deportation to
24 COLLECTIONS COLLECTIONS 25COLLECTIONS >> IN THEIR OWN VOICE
THE DJURIN ORPHANAGE TESTIMONY PROJECT
Transnistria in all its severity and Jewish children in the
orphanage in Djurin,
extremity, from the point of view of Transnistria, 1943
young girls. In shaky language and a Courtesy of the Photo
Archive, the Ghetto Fighters’
variety of styles (depending on the
In her testimony to Yad Vashem, Perl related House Museum - Beit
background, abilities and writing Lohamei Haghetaot
skills of each girl), the authors how precious and significant her composition
share shocking and traumatic
experiences: from their difficult folder was to her, and how much she was
living conditions as refugees to
exposure to abuse, severe violence, moved and touched by writing about her life
death – and the loss of their loved
ones.
Encouraging the students to
express their experiences as However, we did not agree.” one [from the orphanage] ever
testimony allowed their voices to be Perl’s short story – one page, asked me, ‘Where are you taking it?’
heard and their personal stories told, condensed, and filled with intense Not once.”
and exemplifies the extraordinary and disturbing events – presents the Perl loved the orphanage. In her
humane and educational very essence of a refugee family’s testimony she recalled, in tears, a
sensitivity of both Harth and Katz. fight for survival: the destruction song in Yiddish that she had studied
Furthermore, it demonstrates their of the fabric of family life and the there 55 years before, under the
acute documentary and historical reversal of roles between parents guidance of Moshe Salomon. “Here,
awareness, which are not be and children. I have been rescued from torture
taken for granted considering the Of the orphans from Bukovina and dirt,” she wrote at the end of
existential conditions to which the and Bessarabia staying in Harth’s her essay. “I am clothed. I receive
staff of the orphanage itself, and institution, Perl is the only one instruction, food... [but] all this does her life. “Since then, I always wanted complex, tragic story of the family members in their homes
the ghetto community as a whole, who chose to remain there, even not make me happy, since I know to write, [although] life did not allow deportation to Transnistria. in accordance with Health
were exposed. after they were given permission, that Father is still suffering. It is me to.” That simple, spontaneous Ministry directives, in order to
Twelve-year-old Perl Postelnik in February 1944, to return to their unbearable to me, but I cannot save recollection reveals so much about Since the “Gathering the gather Holocaust-era personal
from the Chernivtsi region of districts of origin. She probably him.” The fate of Avraham Postelnik, the power of writing, even in the Fragments” campaign began items. To schedule a meeting
Bessarabia was one of the girls who did so in order to take care of her Perl’s father, remains unknown.. most difficult circumstances, for the a decade ago, 14,000 people in Israel: +972-2-644-3888 or
took part in Harth’s writing project. father, who had found shelter in a After the war, Perl studied medicine human spirit. have donated some 315,000 collect@yadvashem.org.il.
In her file, Harth characterized synagogue in Djurin. Perl’s special and worked in a Ukrainian hospital. Dov Harth, his wife and items, including 185,000 Yad Vashem runs the “Gathering
Perl as “intelligent, talented, with a connection to her father did not go In the early 1970s, she and her daughter survived the war and documents, more than 120,000 the Fragments” campaign with
distinct writing style.” Her biography unnoticed by Harth. “Deep affection husband immigrated to Israel. immigrated to Israel in 1948. photographs, 5,500 artifacts, the support of Israel’s Ministry
opens with a shocking dilemma of for her father,” he notes in her file. In her testimony to Yad Vashem, He kept in touch with his former 785 works of art and some 200 of Jerusalem and Heritage.
existence and rescue: “A farmer’s Indeed, Perl saved precious food to Perl related how precious and students for many years, and did original films. Even during the
wife kidnapped my five-year-old sustain her father. In her testimony significant her composition folder much to preserve the memory pandemic, representatives of The author is a researcher in
sister, and wanted to adopt her. to Yad Vashem, she said, “I always was to her, and how much she was of the Rădăuți community Yad Vashem continue visiting the Collection and Registration
We were almost starving back then. took two slices of bread. And no moved and touched by writing about and to further document the Holocaust survivors or their Section, Archives Division.
26 COLLECTIONS COLLECTIONS 27RESEARCH
INTERNATIONAL BOOK PRIZE One of the two winners of Yad Vashem’s International Book
Prize for Holocaust Research focuses on the lesser explored
AWARDED TO PUBLICATION topic of slave labor of Jewish children during the Shoah.
ON CHILD LABOR “E ven though the event of
the Holocaust is already 75
years behind us, its enormity
continues to cast a large shadow that
Prof. Steinert’s study is not restricted
to one country or region, but is broadly
conceived. The largest number of
Jewish children subjected to forced
invokes new research on aspects labor came from the territories of
hitherto hardly studied,” wrote the occupied Poland and the Soviet Union, various media – about 500 postwar
A child working in a judges for the 2020 Yad Vashem and to a somewhat lesser extent from testimonies that were collected in
metalworks, Kovno, Lithuania
Book Prize for Holocaust Research Hungary; most of them ended up in the first postwar years – and archival
Yad Vashem Archives
in memory of Benny and Tilly Joffe Germany, but some also in Poland. documentation from archives in
z”l. “Prof. Johannes-Dieter Steinert’s The book consists of an introduction Europe, North America, and Israel,
book Holocaust und Zwangsarbeit: and four parts, which cover an overall including Yad Vashem, and a long
Erinnerungen jüdischer Kinder historical view of German occupation list of relevant, scholarly literature
1938–1945 (Holocaust and Forced in the areas covered in the book; the in many languages,” concluded the
Labor: Memories of Jewish Children general contexts of forced labor in judges. “This innovative, extremely
1938–1945 – Klartext Verlag: Essen, the ghettos and in the camps of the well-written work sheds light in a
Germany, 2018) is one of these war industry (especially weapons most vivid and sensitive manner on
innovative studies. It draws attention and ammunition); “experiences and many aspects of child forced labor,
to the segment of society that is always memories,” the most comprehensive a topic hitherto hardly touched upon
seen as bearing hope and vitality: section of the book, which provides and definitely not depicted in such a
children. Although research on Jewish a “multi-dimensional picture of the comprehensive way.”
and non-Jewish children during World life experiences of these children”;
War II and the Holocaust has been a and “End of the War and Liberation,” The second 2020 International
topic that has come into focus in the which addresses the labor that the Book Prize winner was Dr. Alan
past two decades, and to which Prof. children were forced to carry out – Rosen, for his publication, “The
Steinert has contributed considerably cleaning rubble, debris, and the like Holocaust’s Jewish Calendars:
in various ways, the topic of the fate of – as well as the aspect of the loss of Keeping Time Sacred, Making
tens of thousands of Jewish children their parents or family members, and Time Holy” (Bloomington: Indiana
who became forced laborers of the the Allied liberators’ first encounters University Press, 2019). An article by
Third Reich in the decisive years with surviving children. Dr. Rosen on the subject appeared
1938–1945 has hitherto not been “This study is based on a breathtaking in volume 76 (February 2015) of the
explored systematically.” mastery of testimonial sources in “Yad Vashem Jerusalem” Magazine.
28 RESEARCH RESEARCH 29RESCUE
RESCUE
BY JEWS
DURING THE
HOLOCAUST
Montage of Jewish
Rescuers during the
Holocaust
I
n 1941, Yoshko Indig (Josef Itai), shores of the Eretz Israel at the end as remarkable as it is inspiring. As
a young madrich (counsellor) of the war. Several other Jewish in the past, Yad Vashem continues
in the Hashomer Hatzair youth rescuers were involved in this to collect and publicize these
movement, set out with a group remarkable rescue story. Two of personal accounts on its various
of orphaned Jewish children them, Aron Menczer and Goffredo platforms: through its museum
from Germany and Austria on Pacifici, were later murdered in exhibitions, historical narrative
The annals of heroic Jews who ignored relentless life-threatening Nazi a courageous and dangerous Auschwitz. All of them risked their and numerous online exhibitions,
rescue journey. The passage took lives to save the children. as well as in conferences, lectures
persecution in order to save their fellow brothers and sisters have been the group through Yugoslavia and Indig, Menczer and Pacifici, along and educational activities at its
featured and explored extensively at Yad Vashem for decades as part of the Italy, where additional children with Gisi Fleischmann, Anna Braude Jerusalem campus and abroad.
joined the group, nearly doubling Heller, Luba Bielicka Blum and These numerous stories and
wider theme of Jewish responses to the Shoah. The subject is often referred their number, and into neutral countless others, worked selflessly testimonies detailing compelling
Switzerland, until Indig and most and tirelessly to aid their fellow Jews examples of Jewish solidarity during
to as Rescue by Jews during the Holocaust. of the children finally reached the during the Holocaust. Each story is the Shoah range from discrete acts
30 RESCUE RESCUE 31RESCUE >> RESCUE BY JEWS DURING THE HOLOCAUST
of personal kindness to organized because of that, and due to the
attempts to safeguard the lives of extreme nature of the persecution
Jewish men, women and children. The study of Jewish solidarity during during the Holocaust, when the
Over the years, Yad Vashem’s majority of the Jews faced a daily
the Holocaust has always been a central
International Institute for struggle for self-survival and
Holocaust Research has published dimension of Yad Vashem’s mission therefore were in a situation
dozens of survivor memoirs, where it was practically impossible
research books and articles for them to assist others, it would
detailing firsthand accounts of be both unfair and unwise to judge
how Jews aided fellow Jews, and their actions particularly given the
detailing histories of resistance in The topic has been regularly objects of persecution and rescue extraordinary circumstances into
Jewish communities under Nazi highlighted as part of the activities initiated by non-Jews, which they were forced. Members of the “Nasza
rule. For example, in 1997, Yad Holocaust Remembrance Day’s but strove to find ways of coping, Following lengthy and thorough Grupa” together with
members of “Hanoar
Vashem Publications released the State Opening Ceremonies, as did not give up human and Jewish consideration of this matter, there Hazioni” from Hungary,
Hebrew version of Nechama Tec’s well as at other commemorative solidarity and whenever possible is a general agreement among Yad Budapest, 1943
book Mishpachat Anshei Haya’ar activities and events at Yad were active in confronting the Vashem’s experts, researchers and Yad Vashem Archives
(The Family of the Forest People), Vashem throughout the years. In Nazi scourge, thus revealing the educators – as well as survivors
based on the English version of 2020, Yad Vashem’s central theme resilience and steadfastness of – that the process of singling out
her book, Defiance: The True Story for Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Jewish individuals and groups. Jews for such an official award
of the Bielski Partisans (Oxford Remembrance Day was Rescue Thus, the study of Jewish would likely create an unhealthy
University Press, 1993). The book by Jews during the Holocaust: solidarity during the Holocaust and ultimately divisive atmosphere postwar notion that Jews seemingly founders of Yad Vashem, many
described the renowned Bielski Solidarity in a Disintegrating has always been, and continues of competition within Jewish behaved passively, as “sheep being of them Holocaust survivors, to
brothers more than a decade World. The six Holocaust survivors to be, a central dimension of Yad communities and among families led to the slaughter.” Establishing mandate as part of its binding
before the acclaimed eponymous chosen as torchlighters for the Vashem’s mission and an integral of victims and survivors. Instead of an awards program of Jews mission the goal of recognizing the
Hollywood feature film was opening ceremony shared a component of its research, promoting worthy efforts to learn rescuing Jews would likely work Righteous Among the Nations.
released. In 2014, Yad Vashem common theme: They recounted educational and commemorative and identify with the “choiceless against that achievement, and Rather than confer titles, as
published the Hebrew-language their personal stories in which activities. choices” of the multitudes of Jews in lead to discriminating evaluations seen above, Yad Vashem has
Aleh Iti Begorali (Jews Rescuing Jews assisted one another during Given this record of Yad Vashem’s the Shoah, as Yad Vashem indeed and biased judgments about the consistently nurtured awareness
Jews in the Holocaust), featuring the Holocaust. Yad Vashem commitment, why doesn’t the does, such an award program majority of the murdered and and knowledge regarding the
a collection of stories regarding devoted the 2020 Remembrance World Holocaust Center formally would engender superficial, and surviving Jews. issue of Jewish solidarity during
efforts by Jews to save other Jews Day symposia, online lectures and recognize these heroic figures by essentially unfair, categories of Conversely, the rescue of Jews by the Holocaust, including its crucial
during the Shoah. educational activities for security presenting them, or their families, behavior, and risk disparaging the non-Jews in the Holocaust, when component of rescue by Jews.
Similarly, stories related to this forces and other groups to the with official medals, decorations many Jewish victims who had no Jews had been almost universally While grappling with the multiple
topic are included in Yad Vashem’s theme of Jewish solidarity. By and titles? opportunity to act beyond their expelled from the normative dimensions of this subject, and
Holocaust History Museum emphasizing this important topic, The answer is clear. own desperate personal battles circle of social responsibility and ensuring that it is responsibly
permanent exhibition, such as the along with other aspects of Jewish In Jewish tradition and throughout for survival. Through its long-term aiding them was punishable by explored in its authentic historical
famous account of Rabbi Michael resilience and reactions to the Jewish history, the imperative that scholarly and educational activities, death, was as extraordinary as context, Yad Vashem is deeply
Dov Weissmandel and the semi- ever-worsening persecution, Yad Jews act on behalf of the welfare Yad Vashem has succeeded in it was courageous, and certainly committed to perpetuating this
underground “Working Group” in Vashem continuously highlights and security of other Jews in need largely erasing from much of merits special recognition. This fundamental dimension of its
Slovakia. the fact that Jews were not just has been ever-present. Precisely public discourse the denigrating understanding motivated the activity in order to enlighten,
32 RESCUE RESCUE 33RESCUE
NEW T
he exhibition, prepared in a
ready2print format for easy
local production, tells the
unique story of Jews during the
EXHIBITION Holocaust whose lives stood on
the very precipice, but, contrary
to any basic instinct of survival
AND STAMP
that demands one takes care of
oneself and one’s family first, found
the inner strength and chose to
risk their false identity or give up
HONOR
proposed asylum in order to help
other persecuted Jews. Some even This image is for illustration alone. Courtesy Israel Post Philatelic Service
paid for the act with their lives.
The exhibition consists of 20 panels,
The Israel Post’s Philatelic
JEWISH
with three introductory sections and the graphic designer Rotem
Service is creating an official
and 17 rescue stories, which took Sharir, the stamp production process
stamp based on the winning
place between the years 1938- is expected to be completed in the
poster in the “Designing
1945, when the rescuers operated spring of 2021. A first day cover,
Memory” competition for
RESCUERS
in the Reich territories, and in the special cancellation and explanatory
Holocaust Remembrance Day
German-occupied and annexed leaflet will accompany the stamp
2020, on the theme of Rescue
regions throughout Europe – with distributed around Israel, as well as
by Jews during the Holocaust.
a determined spirit that stems from for collectors in Israel and abroad.
In cooperation with Yad Vashem
the fierce belief that rescue comes
above all.
The exhibition presents the
stories of well-known figures, such
as the Bielski brothers, whose
In accordance with the solitary partisan unit in the forests
of Belarus provided refuge for Michael Dov Weissmandel and establishment of an aid project,
Central Theme for Holocaust hundreds of Jews who had fled the other Jewish activists devised a through which he sent - at times
surrounding ghettos. Their family grandiose plan aimed at preventing openly and at times in secret - over
Remembrance Day 2020, camp, which the partisans called the deportation of Jews from 5,000 kilograms of food, medicine
“Jerusalem of the Forests,” was the Europe to Poland, in exchange for a and clothing to Prague deportees
Yad Vashem’s Museums Division Nazi-demanded ransom. sent to various ghettos and camps.
largest refuge of its kind during the
recently completed a new war. Alongside the more familiar
Another renowned figure in the stories, the exhibition introduces The exhibition is available in
exhibition, entitled “Rescue by exhibition is Gisi Fleischmann, lesser-known figures to the general three languages, English, Hebrew
leader of the “Working Group” in public. One of them is 16-year-old and French. To order, please
Jews during the Holocaust.” Slovakia, who together with Rabbi Heinz Prossnitz, who initiated the click here.
34 RESCUE RESCUE 35You can also read
