“The Nazis killed my parents, and there isn't a memorial to them." My father's words to the docent at the Holocaust Museum (which I wrote about last week) resonated with a painful truth for him but also encapsulated the complexity of Poland's wartime and post-war history.
The latest chapters of your family story have left unable to comment. Suffice to say i admire your courage and fortitude in writing it in such an eloquent and clear manner. I look forward to reading your mother’s story.
Thank you for unpacking some of that complexity to the experience of Polish people during this period. It puts current events in Poland into a broader historical context and illuminates how easy it has been been to forget what happened. Great writing.
Alice, the articulation of these stories by those who lived through it, and their ancestors is so important to the rest of us too. These are stories remind us what hate can generate. The reminders are history's guardrails for the future. Thank you, truly.
I am both horrified, and in truth, shocked, by what I read here Alice. As a Jewish woman, I am humbled by what I learn from you about the extent of the slaughter of non-Jewish citizens of Poland. As keeper of your parents' histories, you honor them deeply by what you write. And you honor us by sharing it. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment Jinks. Holocaust historians might say I am naive. All of the Polish Jewish community was lost. 10% of the non Jewish community. I am not comparing anything. I am telling my parents stories, as you point out. And the reason such stories are not widely known. One day I would like the story of the two communities to be told together. That is closer to the story of what happened.
I find your writing very courageous. As a Jewish person, I'm very aware of the reluctance my community maintains with regard to recognizing the suffering of other communities.
We are all guilty of not recognizing the extent of the suffering of others. Researching this book has made me aware how little has changed in the world. It profoundly saddens me.
Thank you for turning on another light.
Once again, by telling your parents' stories, you are bringing to light history that has not been well known about or understood. Thank you, Alice.
The latest chapters of your family story have left unable to comment. Suffice to say i admire your courage and fortitude in writing it in such an eloquent and clear manner. I look forward to reading your mother’s story.
Thank you Alice; again, your father's voice, his words at the end of the museum tour.
Hard to put into words the power of your continuing story. So important, so well done.
Thank you
Thank you for unpacking some of that complexity to the experience of Polish people during this period. It puts current events in Poland into a broader historical context and illuminates how easy it has been been to forget what happened. Great writing.
Alice, the articulation of these stories by those who lived through it, and their ancestors is so important to the rest of us too. These are stories remind us what hate can generate. The reminders are history's guardrails for the future. Thank you, truly.
Thank you for reading my stories. The guardrails seem precarious at the moment. I think about it all the time.
I am both horrified, and in truth, shocked, by what I read here Alice. As a Jewish woman, I am humbled by what I learn from you about the extent of the slaughter of non-Jewish citizens of Poland. As keeper of your parents' histories, you honor them deeply by what you write. And you honor us by sharing it. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment Jinks. Holocaust historians might say I am naive. All of the Polish Jewish community was lost. 10% of the non Jewish community. I am not comparing anything. I am telling my parents stories, as you point out. And the reason such stories are not widely known. One day I would like the story of the two communities to be told together. That is closer to the story of what happened.
Thanks, Alice, for bringing to the light, the horrors of Poland for ALL people from Hitler forward. I look forward to reading your mother’s story.
Beautifully written. Deeply moving.
I find your writing very courageous. As a Jewish person, I'm very aware of the reluctance my community maintains with regard to recognizing the suffering of other communities.
We are all guilty of not recognizing the extent of the suffering of others. Researching this book has made me aware how little has changed in the world. It profoundly saddens me.
These past posts have been so moving, so well articulated and so informative. Thanks Alice for your generosity to bring us along on your discovery .