Long Time - No Blog

Deb, Graziella and Nicola

I came home sick from Europe this past November. It took from Thanksgiving to Christmas for the doctors to figure it all out. I'm happy to report they did and I now have the medication I need for my stomach. The holidays have come and gone and now January has almost gone and I still haven't blogged. Time to break the ice here and start my blogging again ...

I cannot believe it was a year ago already when I sat in a restaurant meeting a new friend who told us stories about the monks in Assisi Italy saving Jewish families. It just so happened our son Nicola (exchange student from Italy) was there with me and he was so drawn to the stories. Nic was a semester student so he was here for the fall semester of 2009/2010. When he went home at the end of January, he was determined to find a Jewish survivor from Assisi. Well, he accomplished it! He found Graziella Viterbi who now lives in Rome.

He made contact with her and she was thrilled as the prospect of his taking her story and writing it in a children's book format. First he needed to write a bio on her life so he interviewed her over the phone and ordered books from various places throughout Italy that shared bits and pieces of her story. When he finished the two page bio, he translated it into English and forwarded it to me to review.

Then he began the process of writing the children's book. Let me just say now ... most of the young authors are handed the bio so Nicola has gone above and beyond what any other young author has done in this program. I'm so proud of him. His book was great and once finished, we forwarded it to Patilynn Lowery of Bettendorf, Iowa to illustrate. Patilynn's family is involved in student exchange so this is how we met.

My work with student exchange just "happened" to take me to Rome in November of 2010 so I was able to see Nicola and together we took Graziella advanced copies of her book. She was so thrilled and thankful to both students who made this book possible. She has very young grandchildren and the book was a perfect way for her to tell them about her childhood of running from the Nazis. This was the first time I had met a Holocaust survivor on European soil and it was wonderful. She is a gracious woman who has a heart for education.

My husband was not able to travel with me on this trip so a friend went along as my traveling companion. We visited friends in Germany and one friend took us to a small village in France. As we crossed the border, I saw we were the Region called Lorraine - which my mother was named after. That was very special to me as my mother was my very best friend. Unfortunately, the shops were not open because it was their Memorial Day. We got to see a special service in their Cathedral and heard a young singer who had a voice like an angel. I couldn't tell if the singer was male or female and they sang in French but it was so beautiful. I've never heard anything like it before and I will never forget it.

My next stop was Cologne Germany where I met four of my former exchange students and two of them are young authors for the program. Sergiu from Romania and Barbara from Germany both wrote stories and accompanied me to Dokumentationszentrum - which is a former Gestapo prison in Cologne. The prison is preserved in its original state and it a terrifying reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. The Nazi in charge allowed torture and murder right there on the second floor. When I walked through looking at pictures of those who had perished there, I could almost hear their screams. It was a heart stopping moment for me. The area's gypsy population were also gathered there and murdered as well.

I've not yet gone to a concentration camp so this was the first experience I've had of being in a place where those thought inferior died at the hands of the Nazis. I'll never forget the rainy day in Cologne when we visited this place.

The projects moves on ... we have completed projects coming in, some being worked on now and some just starting. We should have over 50 stories collected in the A BOOK BY ME format by the end of the year. The young authors are excited and so am I.

I'm so happy because this project has become more than I could have ever dreamed. May 2011 be a year of great prosperity for you and GOOD HEALTH along with your dreams coming true!

Blessings,
Deb

War Hero Saul Schiff

I just got off the phone with a principal of a Christian school in DeWitt, Iowa. In 2009, her students raised money to put up a stone in remembrance of Esther Schiff in their school yard. Esther and her husband Saul were very touched by this memorial.

Just a few weeks ago, Saul and I talked about his being an American soldier during the war. He was on the beaches of Normandy. He was a handsome American hero!

He also experienced the horror of Dachau. I've known Saul for many years but he has never told me about this before. He explained with tears in his eyes what it was like for a young American soldier (who happened to be Jewish) to witness the horror of a concentration camp.

I told him I had to find a young author to tell his story! He said he didn't think it was worth telling but I disagree!

This morning Principal Chris Meyer from St. Joseph school in DeWitt agreed with me! She is organizing her staff and her students to tell Saul's important story.

I'm going to arrange to take my computer to the Schiff's apartment and have him visit class via Skype. The wonders of modern technology!

The hardest part will be explaining Skype to Saul & Esther! They admittedly are computer "illiterates" and they like it that way!

I love it when things fall in place to have an important story told by my young authors! I've never felt so blessed!

God Loves Us All

I have worked with exchange students from all over the world since 1999. Most of my students are from Europe, Asia, and South America but for the first time, last year, I participated in a Middle Eastern project called YES which started right after 9/11/2001. The purpose of the YES scholarship students is to bring greater understanding between the predominantly Muslim nations and the USA.

Some of the students I brought to the Quad Cities were hosted by Muslim families but some were hosted by Christian families. I think all my YES students had the experience of their lifetime and they taught us so much about their traditions and their cultures. They were amazing volunteers and touched many lives through community projects, feeding those in need programs, boy scouts, church projects, projects at the mosque, etc.

I'm happy to report, last year six of my eight students from the Middle East participated in the A BOOK BY ME writing project documenting stories from Europe (mostly from Albania) during the war. The King of Albania was a honorable man (a Muslim) who encouraged his people to save the Jewish families under Nazi occupation in his nation. As a result, many Muslims risked their own lives to save Jewish friends or neighbors. They were successful and because of them, many Jewish people were able to live and immigrate to Israel after the war.

I think these stories are awesome and deserve to be recognized. The stories, I feel, give us HOPE for a brighter tomorrow.

As I read these stories on http://www.eyecontactfoundation.org/, I was so encouraged.

I'm just naive enough to believe that perhaps if we teach our children all lives have great value, there will be a brighter tomorrow. Therefore, after copyrighted, these books will be printed and put schools in across the nation and all around the world.

Stories were written in the A BOOK BY ME children's book format by students from Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zanzibar and two boys from Yemen. The following story was documented by Ahmed Al-Kply of Yemen:

Basri Hasani
In his own words …

I am an orphan. I have lived all my life in Mitrovica, Kosovo. I have been the City Administrator for many years. Our town is known as Red Mitrovica because we have seen so much bloodshed. We suffered under the Nazis from 1941 to 1945. We experienced the Serb ethnic cleansing and NATO bombing in 1998 and 1999. I lived through it all. I know the history and suffering of the families, and especially of the Jews.

Before the war there were 11,000 inhabitants of Mitrovica. There were Turks, Serbs, Jews and Albanians. All citizens worked together and respected the individuality of all.

The Rubenovic brothers were my next door neighbors. There was Rakamin, Aron and my best friend Moshe. Moshe’s uncle was the Rabbi of Mitrovica. The Jewish families of our town were all religious and prayed at the synagogue. Most of the Jews were traders.

In 1941 the Nazis occupied our town. Rakamin’s shop was closed because he was Jewish. The leaders of our city organized an escape for the Jews. They were hiding in surrounding mountain villages. We also helped to shelter Italian soldiers whom the Nazis were killing.

The Nazis captured both Rakamin’s and Aron’s families. We never heard from them again. Moshe joined the partisans in 1941 and fought the Nazis throughout Albania and Kosovo. He came back as a captain of the partisans and I sheltered him in my home while he and his band fought the Nazis in our town.

In 1945 Moshe left for Israel and then I think he settled in America. I don’t really know as I have lost all contact with my friend. Forgive my tears, but Moshe was such a good friend during those years. I long to be reunited with him.

I do not go to the mosque, but I am a true Muslim. The Holy Koran is in my genes. I say my prayers each evening. My door is always open to anyone in need.

Eugene - A Hometown Hero

Picture: Eugene with a young author who will write and illustrate his story for the next genereation.

I have been thinking about Eugene the past couple of days. In fact, I put a picture I had taken with him as my profile pic on Facebook. He is a "typical" older gentleman from Iowa but he is a hometown hero his work during WWII. He was one of the vets honored at the music festival a few weeks ago. He was tickled pink to get a hero medal from a Jewish survivor. I thought his wife was going to bust her buttons - she was so proud of him.

It's men like Eugene who have keep our country free. He was willing to give it all for us ... still is, I think. If his 94 year old bones would move a little better, I could see him giving those terrorist what for. I am so honored to call him my friend. God bless Eugene and all the others out there like him!

Here is his story:

As a young man, Eugene Parmer lived in Bettendorf, Iowa. Just before he joined the military he moved 40 miles north to the quiet town of Maquoketa, Iowa.
He joined the 92nd Signal Battalion who furnished communications for the United States Army. While serving in Europe during WWII, Eugene was ordered to join American soldiers liberating a concentration camp called Dachau. He was to investigate the camp's communication equipment and report to his officer.
When he arrived at Dachau, Eugene didn't want to park his weapons carrier at the main gate so he drove around the side of the camp. There he located railroad tracks with parked coal cars leading out of the camp.
Parmer's curiosity got the best of him so he climbed up the ladder. There was no coal in the cars. Eugene was not prepared for what he witnessed. Shock hit him hard. The train cars carried human bodies. Then he looked in the second car and there were more. It made him physically sick.
Eugene then approached the gate and shot the lock off with his revolver. Immediately, a prisoner who spoke English yelled don't open the gate. This man told other prisoners to stay back but then disappeared. The prisoners didn't listen and came towards Eugene. They began to mob him and he fell to the ground. The American soldier assumed they were after his rifle. But the prisoners did not want his rifle. They did not want to harm him. All they wanted was American flags lapel pin which was the Signal Corps insignia. All they wanted were the flags.
The English speaking prisoner quickly returned with something to secure the gate. He wanted that gate shut! Eugene removed his flag pin and gave it to the man. The others backed away. The frightened soldier was relieved.
“Do you have some spare time?” asked the prisoner, “Follow me.”
As they walked passed buildings, Eugene saw more death. The horrors of this war were everywhere. Then the prisoner suggested Eugene get his rifle ready. What was going to happen?
They uncovered a German guard who hid when the camp was liberated. It wasn't safe for the guard to be surrounded by angry prisoners. There was another guard hiding in a 55 gallon container used to store human waste. When they tipped it over, the guard fell out. His life was also in danger. The German guards had been cruel. Now the prisoners wanted revenge.
Eugene needed to stay focused and asked the English speaking prisoner to show him the signal equipment and he did. Finally, his simple yet dangerous mission was accomplished. The young soldier returned to his regular duty.
Those horrible memories of war stayed with Eugene his whole life. Years later at an event recognizing veterans, Eugene listened to a grateful Holocaust survivor speak to the audience. While she spoke about her memories, Eugene felt sick all over again - just like he felt during his time at Dachau.
Eugene returned to and lives today in historical Maquoketa. When Eugene is asked what message he'd like to say to children, he replies:
“Children should see pictures and realize what can happen if we lost our freedom. I have no words to express my feelings towards these people. If I hadn't seen it, I don't know if I'd believe it. It happened.”

Richest Woman on Earth ...

Picture:

Back Row: Saul Schiff (Jewish American Soldier - eyewitness to horrors of Dachau), Esther Schiff (Jewish Survivor) Dic Henneman (Liberated Mossberg)

Front Row: Eugene Parmer (Shot lock off gate of Dachau), Roy Kouski (Liberated Jewish Work Camp); Dr. Paul Hauk (Eyewitness Nordhausen) and Jess Crawford (Liberated a Jewish work camp)

I got a voicemail from Jewish survivor Esther Schiff yesterday. She was thanking me for making copies of pictures of the Labor Day event and dropping them off at her house. She couldn't thank me enough for making the arrangements for her to officially "thank" the local WWII heroes. Her last words on the message were "I don't think I can ever repay you for what you have done."

The truth is ... I can't thank her enough for coming into my life and giving me such a rich understanding of this period of history. Because of my love for her (along with Esther Avruch and Esther Katz) I've met so many others who survived this horrific period of history.

Now, I've met several of the "boys" who have blessed me richly as well. The WWII vets who have told me their stories firsthand. I have to admit, I've lost sleep thinking about the horrors they have witnessed. Their stories have gotten deep into my spirit and it's my greatest honor to find young authors to share their stories.

Although I have done this work as a volunteer, I feel like the richest woman on earth when I look at this photo of some of the wonderful people I've met. Esther's account is paid in full.

Assisi - My Safe Haven

I scanned a new children's book today. It's always exciting to get a new book ready for young readers.

It's about a Jewish family in Italy who learned they would be kept safe by the monks in Assisi if they could get there in time. Thankfully, they did arrive safely - a father, mother, and two daughters. They were all saved thanks to the bravery and goodness of the Monks in Assisi.

The young author is Nicola dalla Torre from Italy and a young artist from Bettendorf, Iowa did the illustrations - her name is Patilyn Lowery.

One day it will be in schools in both America and Italy. The exciting thing is I get to meet Graziella - the young girl in the story. She lives in Rome and I'll be there in November. I can't wait to see her face when she looks at this children's book about her life. Nicola will be there as well and he is excited too. I just wish Patilyn could come with us!

I'm looking for more great young authors and illustrators. Step on up, kids!

Blessings,
Deb

Righteous

Photo - 2005 Quad Cities Yom Hashoah
Jewish Survivor Esther Katz with Righteous Gentile Yanina Cywinska whose Catholic father insisted the family help the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto.


Last night there was a speaker from The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous at St. Ambrose University. Stanlee talked about the fears during WWII all across Europe but especially in Eastern Europe. The punishment for helping a Jew meant your life in some cases or going to a concentration camp in other cases. It makes Christians wonder "what would I have done if I had lived there during this time?" I know I've wondered many times.

Stanlee challenged the audience last night. She said each of the Righteous Gentiles she has met (Christians or Muslims who gave aid to the Jews risking their own lives). One of the responses she got hit my heart like an arrow hitting dead center. She said one person told her "sometimes God's laws are above man's laws and you just do what is right".

This is my challenge today - for myself and for you too. Do what is right. It sounds so simple and yet it can be so hard, right?

The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous - http://www.jfr.org/

Here is a story of a Righteous Gentile named Irena Sendler. A young author / illustrator from Germany by the name of Barbara Schlozen wrote her story for A BOOK BY ME a few years ago.

Irena Sendler
Warsaw, Poland... 1942 – On October 12, 1940,Yom Kippur, the Germans issued a decree calling for the establishment of a ghetto in Warsaw. About 400,000 Jews from the city and the surrounding region were forced to move into an area of 1.3 square miles. In mid-November, the ghetto was sealed. On account of the cramped conditions, poor sanitation, and very limited food and medicine, disease and starvation claimed thousands of lives each month.
In July 1942, mass deportations of Jews from the Warsaw ghetto began. Most were sent to Treblinka. Horrified by the Germans’ persecution of the Jews, a group of Polish citizens formed an underground organization called the Council for the Aid to Jews, or Zegota, in September 1942. Irena Sendler became the head of Zegota’s Children’s Bureau. She obtained documents that allowed her to enter the ghetto, and she began to smuggle children out.
Irena and the members of Zegota led some children out through the underground corridors of a courthouse and through a tram depot. They sedated some infants and carried them out in potato sacks or coffins. A church located on the edge of the ghetto also became useful. It had two entrances, one inside the ghetto and one on the Christian side of Warsaw. With Zegota’s help, some children entered the church as Jews and exited as “Christians.”
In addition to smuggling children out of the ghetto, Irena Sendler found safe places for them to hide – often with non-Jewish families in the Warsaw area. Children were also sheltered in convents, hospitals, and orphanages.
The Germans learned of Irena’s activities. On October 20, 1943, she was arrested by the Gestapo and taken to the Pawiak prison. Irena was tortured brutally, but she refused to give any information about Zegota or about the children she had placed in hiding. She was sentenced to death. Members of Zegota bribed one of the Gestapo agents, and on the day Irena was to be executed, she was permitted to escape. She had to go into hiding for the remainder of the war but continued to coordinate her rescue work. By January 1945, when Warsaw was liberated by Soviet troops, the Children’s Bureau of Zegota had assisted more than 2,500 Jewish children.
Irena Sendler died in Warsaw, Poland on Monday, May 12, 2008 at the age of 98.

Have a blessed day and do what is right!

Deb

P.S. There have been ten children's books written for the series thus far about Righteous Gentiles. I would love to see more in the future. The titles of those written are:



CYWINSKA, Yanina; Yanina Ballerina; Christian who protected Jews (Righteous Gentile); Author Julia Headley of Davenport, Iowa
GOLEMI, Ismail; A Daughter's Pride; Muslim who protected Jews; Author Alya Al-Balushi of Oman
HANSANI, Basri; Basri's Door is Open; Muslim who protected Jews; Author Ahmed Al-kply of Yemen
KAZAZI, Ali & Nadia; For the Heart There Is No Color of Skin; Muslims who protected Jews; Author Anila Shaheen of Pakistan
PASHKAJ, Ali Sheqer; A Simple Piece of Melon Saved One Life; Author Ahmed Al-Katheri of Yemen
SENDLER, Irena, Yolanta and Her 2,500 Kids; Christian who protected Jews (Righteous Gentile); Author Barbara Schlozen of Germany
SINANI, Abaz & Zade; We Are All Human; Muslims who protected Jews (Righteous Gentile); Author Aisha Haji of Zanzibar
TEN BOOM, Corrie, Corrie ten Boom - A Holocaust Hero; Christian who protected Jews (Righteous Gentile); Author Kelly Schultz of Iowa
VESELI, Hamid & Xhemal; A Simple Story of Saving a Life; Muslims who protected Jews (Righteous Gentiles); Author MD Tazin of Bangladesh
ZABINSKI, Antonina & Jan; Hidden Jews in the Warsaw Zoo; Christians who protected Jews (Righteous Gentiles); Author Amanda Leslie of Eldridge, Iowa