For several years I have been visiting elder friends in homes for the aged, it was my way of giving back to society for the good life I had, this of course was up until the Corvid 19 Pandemic arrived almost 18 months ago, and my visits had to be put on hold.
Due to the Pandemic, two of the people I visited, passed away, one 87 and the other 91, I was very sad, that I could not say good bye.
One of the old ladies was Jewish, her name was Olga, her son Duane invited me for dinner, with his wife and two children, whom I felt I knew, having been told so many proud stories about them from Olga.
Over Dinner, Duane told me stories of the Holocaust, where is mum and dad where incarcerated in 1941 to 1945, he showed me a manuscript and lots of old photographs, Olga had intended writing a book about her experiences, but it was a task that never got fulfilled, but there was lots of useful information and interesting stories, so I volunteered to write the book to the best of my ability, this is my first chapter, that follows.
Few events in human history were as evil and as powerful as the Nazi holocaust, but hiding among the horror stories were pockets of resistance, and humanity’s refusal to give in. It’s heartening to know that one of the best things of which we are capable “love” can survive and flourish even under the worst circumstances.
Holocaust survivors are dwindling, and through books like this we will not forget, we can share their stories of history, hope, survival and resilience with generations long into the future, with books like this will bring the voices of survivors and their stories to life, allowing future generations to have an authentic and meaningful experience of survivor written testimony.
It is my belief is that books like this and this article will continue to inspire future generations to learn from the Holocaust and to take a stand against intolerance of any form, in the hope that history will never repeat itself.
The Holocaust survivors and their families for sharing their incredible stories. It’s heartening to know that one of the best things of which we are capable—love—can survive and flourish even under the worst circumstances, Olga the lady in this story, found romance in the Concentration camp.
We can’t let testimonies fade into oblivion. It’s important for people to learn about history from those who experienced it. There will come a day when there are no longer Holocaust survivors alive to tell their stories. History will always be available to read in textbooks, some will be produced as movies, but the memory of witnesses is more exact than the history written by those who were not there.”
“Their stories of survival are unique and diverse, yet many women and men share many things, incredible bravery in telling their stories, and unshakable dedication to do all they can so others can learn from what happened to them and their families.” This book provides incredible opportunity to preserve these important histories for posterity, it makes for an incredible read.
The story of Olga and Meyer Korenblit was described by their son as a miracles. They were two Jewish teenagers in love when the Nazis began rounding up people in their Polish town of Hrubieszow. At first, they were placed in ghettos, but they were later carted away to a concentration camp. By the end of the war, 98 percent of the town’s Jewish population had been killed by the Nazis.
The lovers went to the same camp, Budzyn. Meyer would sneak to the fence between the men’s and women’s sections to talk to Olga, and it was there they made a promise. Once everything ended, if they both survived, they would return to their hometown to wait for each other. They were separated shortly afterward and spent the next three years in 11 different camps.
When they were liberated, they weighed 64 kilograms (143 lb) combined. That’s less than the average weight of a single European adult today. Meyer had escaped a death march from Dachau concentration camp and hidden on a farm before Americans found him. Manya was the first to make it back to Hrubieszow. She had to wait six weeks, not knowing Meyer’s fate—but he made it home to her.
Just a few months later they married, and in 1949 they had an opportunity to emigrate to Canada, Where Duane and his sister Olga was born, to read the notes of this love story, brought me to tears, love prevails, even in the most horrible location and appalling conditions.
BIO:
Dr Bill Pomfret; MSc; FIOSH; RSP. FRSH;
Founder & President.
Safety Projects International Inc, &
Dr. Bill Pomfret & Associates.
26 Drysdale Street, Kanata, Ontario.K2K 3L3.
www.spi5star.com pomfretb@spi5star.com
Tel 613-2549233