This section features the true experiences of Holocaust Survivors we see and visit today. This is to fulfill their requests,
“Remember us! Tell others of our experiences so we are not forgotten!”
(Caution: True accounts, as related by the Survivor, may be difficult to read)
~ Chaim ~
Chaim was born in Poland. He and his family were forced out of their home in 1939 by the Nazi army. He fled from there to Russia, in Ural. He studied in Ekaterinburtg, Russia.
After the war in 1946 he came back to Poland to find his family but most were killed and few remained, destroyed by the Nazis.
From 1946-47 he was trained by those who came from Palestine to help prepare to build Israel. His goal was to help Jewish people in Poland. He had already been helping Jewish orphans who were hidden by Christians during the war, and they survived. As he made trips to Israel he brought many orphans along with him.
In 1948 he made Aliyah to Israel from France. When he returned to Israel he was immediately drafted into the new formed Israeli army. Chaim has one brother who survived the war and also moved to Israel and lives in the Kryot. Chaim worked for the water company here for 30 years as an engineer. He has many documents and pictures with prominent figures in the history of the formation of Israel.
In 2007 Chaim published his biography “From Zolkiewka to Israel” in Hebrew, English and Polish. A copy has been placed in the Washington DC Holocaust Museum. He hopes people will read his story so they will not forget and it will never happen again.
Chaim was surprised to meet Gentiles who love Israel and the Jewish people. He commented he will now write a letter to a Jewish friend in Poland to say he met Gentiles who love Jews!
Editor’s postscript:
Chaim attended our Sukkot BBQ 2016 along with his daughter, granddaughter and caretaker. They expressed amazement that Gentiles would do such a thing as honor those from the Holocaust just to show them our love. Chaim, unfortunately, is suffering from Alzheimers. It was wonderful to see the dedication of his family. It was also incredible to see him when he arrived, as someone who was used to greeting crowds of people interested in his history. He greeted everyone graciously and spoke to anyone he shook hands with. In spite of his illness, he rose to the occasion and was a consummate host to all.
