Auschwitz…. 28/1/2025

80^th Anniversary of Liberation.

A request from son Lucas, that I write history of our family both the Rodino (me- Catholic) side of the family and the Lastman side of the (father-Jewish).

It seemed a strange request as this had not occurred before. He wanted some history so that when we his parents pass away, they would know something about the family and the three brothers Lucas, Nicholas and Jonathan (sadly Mark passed away 5 years ago) would know where they came from, as both of us, their parents come from different parts of Europe.

It seemed providential that this request was made 2 days before the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Jewish people from the horrors at the Auschwitz concentration camps and it seemed to be the ideal moment when I would be able to tell my sons a part of their history which has not been spoken about. This opportunity seemed to be to be God sent.

My sons on January 27^th January 2025 will mark the anniversary of the liberation of your grandmother Ruth and your grandfather Abraham from the concentration camp.   They hadn’t known each other before then and were part of Polish families who were part of those who were marched first into ghettos and then into concentration camp at Auschwitz, where unknown demonic horrors occurred.   Your grandmothers, both grandfathers, your aunt Judith, 13 yrs old, uncles on your grandfather’s side, all were shoved into sealed carts and taken to the camp and then separated some never to see each other and children again. Your father who has grown up with the story never forgets his story even for one day.  Your grandfather’s lasting memory even amidst the horrors was seeing a young mother holding her child (about 9-12 months) ripped from her arms and smash against wall.  That mother never spoke a word again and went willingly wherever she was directed even into the “showers” Her will had gone.

Your grandfather stood there and watched this without saying anything asked or spoke into the sky “where is God” and for the rest of his life (he survived) he never spoke of God again. He wasn’t angry even though he lost a large family of brothers, he never felt anything. When I asked him why he started wanted to celebrate the Passover and other Jewish feasts his reply “to honour my ancestors”    

Boys, your father and I have seen the tattoos (serial numbers) on their arms, (women on left arm, men on right) They were tattooed to dehumanise them. Make them less than human, beasts, easily disposable.  To make them a number and easily disposable. The images you’ll see on all news services on 27/1/2025 are real. World leaders have been invited to hear the story of the holocaust by victims, the last of the very few remaining alive. From their lips are told of the events which occurred to those who were taken to the death chambers.   Your young aunt Judith was stripped naked, hair chopped and was sent to have a Zyklon B shower. Gas shower. Separated, those sent to right for death, to the left munition factories.  Those incapable were disposed without exception, elderly, gypsies, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholic religions, disabled, and all considered undesirable were waste. “In those days men will seek death and not find it” (Rev 9:6)

Your grandmother was one of the ones who “sought death and couldn’t find it” and escaped death because she was of the working age chosen to work in munition factory. The condition of the camps as seen post war were more than deplorable, indeed unimaginable, the filth, the dysentery producing watery soups for meals, mould bread for so called strength to work, beatings, punishments for any little mistake, misdemeanour.  Threat of shooting if anyone tried to escape.   It’s a horror story which could not even be imagined and told in horror movies. 

The death of your aunt Judith appears an unfortunate accident.  Her sister, your grandmother, managed to hide her by moving her from small groups of prisoners to another and this was possible because there was always warning when an inspection of their quarters was announced but on a particular Sunday morning, an unexpected inspection was done and she was was found and immediately beaten and taken to chamber. We have a photo of her for you to remember as we have of Grandmother and Grandfather.

Your grandmother also managed to sew within the lining of her coat a beautiful mural which her own mother (great grandmother) had embroidered, of the tomb of Rachael in Israel.  Beautiful, on satin material and I hope to one day take it to Yad Va Shem, in Israel, to the Holocaust museum and also take Judith’s photo for the children’s museum where images of the known children victims and their names are called out day and night.  I have visited this place and didn’t not know the “how to” but hope I can return and do the things which need doing. As I entered in this place there is a sense of both empty but the photos of the children and their names bring life. The chamber where the photos are shown is designed in shape of night sky with what appears myriad of tiny lights and on entry the words of God to Abraham “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and I will give them all these lands and through your descendants all the nations of the earth will get a blessing through your descendants.” (Gen 26)

I also hope to take photos of your grandparents to be recorded in the book. Them and other photos of your grandmother and grandfather and the few details we have about them. These for the adult section of the museum.

The saving of this precious article, the mural, (now about 100 years old) was achieved by your grandmother who looking for the ugliest coat, stitching the mural within the lining and wearing it throughout her days working in munition factory. The reason for the ugliest coat?  so that no one would want such an old and ugly thing.

Your nanna lived all her life with diagnosed by psychiatrist) with severe PTSD and severe survivor guilt. Because she survived and her family had perished. she wanted to have gone too. She was afraid all her life. Even to use her surname, and this living in safe Australia. 

Luc/ Nic/Jon your granddad lost 8 brothers same way, gassed. Your grandfather and aunt Goshia his sister, were the only survivors of big family and they survived because he joined a Russian army, and she in munition factory until their day of liberation. And when in Australia chose not to talk about their experience except amongst themselves. Always silent. Even with us their family they remained silent. Your grandfather loved to play violin and loved classical music; he said its soothing. I was honoured to be with him when he passed away. Th night before I had prayed Psalm and Divine Mercy Chaplet(silently) for him knowing it wouldn’t be long.  His face was serene as if he’d reached those he had missed. No anguish just serenity.  I stayed with him while waiting for rest of family mother-in-law, son (my husband), and boys.  I knew I could not touch him after death, only Rabbi could close his eyes and remove his wedding ring and prepare for him to be taken to Chevra Kadisha (a holy group who will ensure that preparation of the dead is done perfectly) for preparation for burial ritual, which is usually one day later, and a very simple service.  The thing which remained with me till this day is the serenity in his face. No longer tight almost like he’d seen something beautiful. Grandmother passed away a few years later and she became quieter and quieter and towards end refused to eat, she wanted to go. Her sister “is” waiting. And so, she did.

My sons, your great grandparents were Rabbis, uncles owned businesses, soap factories, and other businesses (some in Germany) which were stolen from them and never recovered. There was and is the fear to return to Poland. 

The most important thing is that the Shoah is never forgotten. As George Santayana once said “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it”

Today as we look around the world and see the horrors being committed again against the Jewish people, we can say that we haven’t learned from history and words of Eie Weisel “It all happened so fast. The ghetto. The deportation. The sealed cattle car. The fiery altar upon which the history of our people and the future of mankind were meant to be sacrificed.” Seem to re-echo.

Today is 80th anniversary of the Jewish liberation from the camps at Auschwitz. It’s a day to remember the Shoah. And it’s time that history which again becomes a subject of study so that young who become adults will remember.  “When language fails then violence becomes the new language” (Elie Weisel) we are seeing this. Wars, rumours of wars, riots, hatred, we are seeing the new language, violence. This, because humanity has not learned that there is terrible sin which walks amongst us. 

In Memoriam of all those who perished during the holocaust.

 And throughout all wars.