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The Jewish Virtual Library on the internet describes the Jewish community of Kromeriz among the oldest of Europe, beginning in 1322 when one Jew as allowed to settle in the town. Moving ahead to 1940 when anti-Semitic laws flourished ending with the an attempt by the Nazis to blow up the synagogue , the community deported in l942 and the “ synagogue equipment” sent to the Central Jewish Museum in Prague.
In our gorgeous sanctuary in picturesque Ridgefield, CT with a remnant, perhaps the most important physical remnant and reminder of that small historic community of Jews in Kromeriz, we honor our Holocaust torah. As we remember the community of Kromeriz, I’d like to share my thoughts from a recent experience at Chapman University in April of this year.
I have been a student of Prof. Elie Wiesel since his first class at Boston University in l976. My fascination and interest in our Holocaust history is sparked by my own family history- the two brothers and three sisters my grandfather, Cantor Adolph Katchko left behind when he was sent to America in the l920s. I viewed every Holocaust story, film, history through the eyes of a family member who perished- Meeting my cousin Cantor Leopold Szneer 5 years ago who thought all 70 members of his father’s family perished has been as my cousin puts it, “ a nes min hashamayim” a miracle from heaven. Seeing photos of these relatives, hearing names his father mentioned has brought them some measure of dignity and life in my mind. They indeed existed and here is someone who remembers them, even if it is only a memory of a name mentioned.
Cantor Leopold Szneer is an active member of the 1939 Club of Los Angeles, comprised of Holocaust survivors and extremely active and charitable in keeping the Holocaust history as a lesson for all of us. Chapman University in Orange County, California has been in the forefront by establishing a Center for Holocaust Education, a Chair for a professor in those studies, and an amazing Holocaust Memorial Library.
I had the privilege to visit the library and experience an evening honoring my cousins, Leopold and his wife Isabelle whose Holocaust stories have been shared with countless students at Chapman University, inspiring many essays, meetings, and honors. The community wide evening of Holocaust Remembrance was called, Metaphors of Memory A Witness Through the Arts. Over one hundred Holocaust survivors traveled to this unique evening of remembrance. I don’t believe I will ever have that opportunity again, being in a room with one hundred elderly Holocaust survivors, many in their 80’s,90’s and upwards.
The students chose three stories and created music and dance sections after each story was told by the survivors on a large screen, with a documentary film created for this event. After each vignette, the students danced the story with a string quartet and clarinet accompanying the dance. The program notes explained, “ The Holocaust strained relationships in ways that can never be fully described. While some relationships shattered, many more endured. Relationships, even when individuals were far apart, were the source of hope and the strength to survive. Sometimes in the most horrific of circumstances, new relationships of love and care were forged that gave life renewed meaning and purpose.”
The three stories were extraordinary, but one stood out. Even my cousin, Isabelle who has attended many Holocaust related commemorative events, said it was the most moving story she ever heard. She told me about it on the way to Chapman and seated at the table next to us, were the subjects of that story.
Let me share it with you-
Leon Weinstein was born in l911 in the shtetl of Radzymin, Poland. Hasidic Jews, they numbered almost 90 members. At age 12 Leon left his home to seek work in Warsaw against his parent’s wishes. Only his grandfather gave his blessing and supported his decision, saying Leon represented the future of Jewish life. This blessing helped give Leon strength in the years to come.
Leon fought on the front lines when Germany invaded Poland in Sept. 1939. Captured, he managed to escape walking 500 miles back to Radzymin. The the ghetto there, he joined the underground, smuggling arms to the resistance. Alerted by a German officer’s offhand remark, Leon fled with his wife Sima and infant daughter , Natasha Leya ( Natalie) born in l940, just before the ghetto was liquidated and its Jews sent to the death camp Treblinka. Of his large family of 90 members, only Leon survived.
The couple now focused all their efforts on saving their child. A gentile, paid handsomely to hide Natalie, refused to risk his own family’s safety in the face of ominous Nazi threats. Homeless and with no money, Leon and Sima acted on a bold plan, abandoning Natalie in order to save her. They dressed Natalie in a heavy coat and placed a cross around her neck with a sign pinned to her stating she was the daughter of a war widow who could no longer feed her. They left her on the steps of a police station and waited around the corner watching to see if she would be discovered.
A police officer took her inside.
While Sima went into hiding, Leon returned to the Warsaw ghetto fighting in the heroic uprising. He was among the few to escape through the rat infested sewars. He never learned what happened to his wife.
At the war’s end, his only hope was to find Natalie.
For six months Leon traveled across Poland on his bicycle, searching convent orphanages. He met hundreds of pleading children, but none was his Natalie.
At last, he saw a tiny hollow-eyed little girl whom he recognized as his own. Natalie was 4 and a half years old and was left on the police station steps when she was 17 months old.
Seated at the next table from me, was the 101 year old Leon Weinstein. He was anxiously looking for his daughter who was a few minutes late. I went over and immediately began crying, saying it was an honor to meet him and I was hoping to meet his daughter as well. When she arrived minutes later, this vivacious and gorgeous woman, I again burst into tears. I asked her how her father knew it was her after so many years and not seeing her since a 17 month old baby, and then 4.5 years old? She said she had a birthmark on her hip, and remembers a nun taking her into an office and pulling down her pants to check. She said her father remembered her eyes and the birth mark- It was a miraculous reunion- and a story I will never forget.
My visit to Chapman University will remain in my heart and mind. Upon visiting the Holocaust Library, my cousin Poldy was anxious to show me the items he had donated along with Isabelle that were displayed elegantly in glass cases. When I walked in the first thing I saw was a bust of Elie Wiesel- I knew this was a special library, but now it felt just right. My cousins had three large glass cases- one with a SHabbos Apron belonging to Isabelle’s mother, another with a gorgeous parochet- Torah ark curtain that Poldy’s uncle had saved from a synagogue destroyed by the Nazis, and a tallit from Poldy’s father, Moshe Aron, whose mother was my grandfather’s sister. Our family connection was right there- the beautiful tallit with a silver atarah displayed – I had the feeling I was as close to my Holocaust family as possible, with Poldy there, his father’s tallit in front of me, and the very next glass case, holding items donated by Elie Wiesel.
I often believe there are no coincidences in life- sometimes things are bashert. It felt spiritually and emotionally connected to be viewing this family heirloom next to my mentor’s Holocaust history- the reason I wanted to search for years for my own family was due to my classes with Prof. Wiesel and here they were next to each other.
The power of relationships as shown by the devotion of Leon Weinstein in searching by bike through Poland as a survivor who wanted to put his life back together and find his daughter can inspire all of us to never give up our hopes and our dreams.
My inspiration and strength comes from learning and studying from Elie Wiesel who experienced the worst man has to offer and devotes his life to sharing our memory through the generations as well as creating forums for world leaders and other Nobel Prize winners to explore issues of hatred, and prejudice to improve our world. His Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity sponsors essay contests each year for talented youth to express words of hope and humanity for a better world.
At age 82 he continues to travel the globe sharing his passion for learning, memory, peace and humanity between peoples. He continues to fight injustice wherever it occurs in the world.
My dearest cousin, Cantor Leopold Szneer inspires at almost 90 years old with a powerful voice, a presence of learning and wisdom, humor and humanity. He is revered in the survivor community and at Chapman University where he and his wonderful elegant wife Isabelle share their Holocaust stories with students often, even though it is difficult to keep bringing these memories back to the surface. They believe the toll it takes on themselves is a worthy sacrifice to share the lessons of the Holocaust with the mostly non-Jewish students at Chapman University as they were both rescued several times by righteous gentiles, underground resistance members during those dark and terrifying years of the Shoah.
May all these memories continue through us as
” whispers within our souls which will guide our lives. “ *
· from the Program notes of An Evening of Holocaust Remembrance at Chapman University April 28, 2011
· Story of Leon Weinstein from “ Holocaust Survivors” The Indestructible Spirit
Prof. Marilyn Harran
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