Remembrance, Rescue, & Recovery: Going Home to Poland

REMEMBRANCE, RESCUE, &
RECOVERY:
Going Home to Poland
By Warren J. Blumenfeld
warrenblumenfeld@gmail.com

Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld is available to
come to your campus or community
organization.
Contact: warrenblumenfeld@gmail.com

Social Construction of “Race”

CARL LINNAEUS
(1707-1778)
Born Carl Linné
Swedish Botanist, Physician, and
Zoologist.
“Father of Modern Taxonomy”
Book: Systema Naturae
“Linnaean Taxonomy”: System of
Scientific Hierarchical Classification.
Kingdoms; Classes; Orders; Genera
(Genus); Species.
(Wikipedia)

CARL LINNAEUS (1707-1778)
He is also known as “The Father of
Scientific Racism.”
Five levels under Homo sapiens, based
initially on place of origin, then on skin
color:
Europeanus
Asiaticus
Americanus
Monstrosus
Africanus

CARL LINNAEUS (1707-1778)
Europeanus: sanguine, pale, muscular, swift,
clever, inventive, governed by laws.
Asiaticus: melancholic, yellow, inflexible, severe,
avaricious, dark-eyed, governed by opinions.
Americanus (Native Americans): choleric, copper-
colored, straightforward, eager, combative,
governed by customs.
Monstrosus (dwarfs of the Alps, the Patagonian
giant, the monorchid Hottentot): agile,
fainthearted.
Africanus: phlegmatic, black, slow, relaxed,
negligent, governed by impulse.

POST-LINNAEUS TAXONOMY
Later European scientists separated Homo sapiens
in six different categories:
1. Caucasoid: Europe, North Africa, Southwest
Asia
2. Mongoloid: East Asia, Siberia, the Americas
3. Polynesians:
4. Native Americans:
5. Australoid: indigenous Australians
6. Negroid: Central and Southern Africa
(Ramon)

Late 19th Century
Jews & Homosexuals
Scientific Community
Distinct “Racial” Types
Social Construction of “Race”

Simon (Szymon) Mahler
Maternal grandfather
Krosno, Poland.
13 siblings.
Wolf & Bascha Mahler.
Butcher shop.
Simon left Krosno for U.S.,
1912
10
Szymon & sister
Fannie

Ashkenazi Jewish Tradition
Child named in honor
of deceased relative.
Great-Grandfather
Wolf Mahler
Hebrew name Ze'ev,
means “wolf."
11

Identity
5 years old
I learned from
Szymon our family
history
Direct relationship
to German
Holocaust
12

Szymon returned to
Krosno 1932 with
grandmother, Eva
(Schoenwetter)
Mahler
Brought early home
movie camera
13
Szymon Mahler & Eva
(Schoenwetter) Mahler, Wedding
Picture, New York City, 1921

Simon & Eva’s 1932 Film
Muzeum Podkarpackie (Subcarpathian) w
Krosnie
14
Wolf, Szymon, Bascha Mahler, 1932

Poland
Krosno
Southeastern Poland
River Wislok
Carpathian Mountain
region
Galicia
16
*KROSNO
* *Krosno

Krosno, Poland
Founded in 1324.
Developed on weaving industry.
“Krosno” means “pimple” in Polish.
Krosno is on a hill in the Subcarpathian region
like a pimple on the earth.
Early Krosno behind heavily fortified stone &
mortar walls.

Krosno, Poland
January 1, 1900, Galicia governor granted Krosno
Jews right to organize their community (kehillah).
Jewish stores opened: butcher shops, fish stores,
and bakeries.
1906, two baking families: Selig Findling and
Chaim Oling.
Three Jewish slaughterhouses owned by Fulka
Breitowitz, Moses Breitowicz, and Wolf Mahler.”
William Leibner, http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/holocaust/0030_KrosnoCompilation.htm

Wolf Mahler & Family,
Butcher Shop

Population Growth in Krosno
YEAR POPULATION CATHOLIC JEW ORTH CATHOLIC
1870 2132 2100 26 6
1880 2461 2318 113 (127) 30
1890 2839 2454 327 (567) 58
1900 3276 2664 567 (961) 45
1910 4353 3329 961 (1559) 63
1914 5521 3893 1558 70
1921 6287 4490 1725 72
•Rapid growth of Jewish population
•1870 (26); 1921 (1725)
•Outpaced overall growth
•Oil discovered in the area
•1884, railway linked Krosno with Europe
•Industries developed
•Especially weaving & glass making
•Jews kept moving to Krosno.

Rabbi Shmuel Fuehrer of Krosno
1904, Kehillah hired Shmuel Fuehrer
first and only Rabbi.
Fuehrer earlier served as rabbi in
Milowka and Krakow.
Also head of Jewish judicial council,
Krosno.
Consecrated Krosno’s Jewish
Cemetery.
Filmed by Szymon Mahler in 1932
Photo by Alexander White

Nazis in Krosno
German troops invaded Poland
1 September 1939
Bombed Krosno same day
Small military airport & railway station
Entered Krosno, 9 September 1939

Krosno strategic target
Oil fields for Germany.
German troops fortified area.
Trenches around town.
Fortified rock houses as
machine-gun stations.
Barricaded streets with stone &
logs from demolished buildings.
Mined other stone buildings and
city approaches.
Bill Tarkulich
http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/military__carpatho.htm

Nazis in Krosno
Adolph Hitler &
Benito Mussolini met
in Krosno
Planned strategy for
war on eastern front.

Nazis in Krosno
Nazi proclamation, 1939
Jews must leave Krosno
Many Jews hid in city or countryside
Others crossed river to area German army left free
Slowly Jews reappeared in Krosno
Ordered to wear white arm band with blue star
Forbidden to enter parks or public institutions

Nazis in Krosno
http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~alb/ugly/naziSoldiersBrutalizeJewInPoland.jpg

NAZI “RACIAL” PHILOSOPHY
“Racial” arguments
cornerstone of
persecution of Jews
(as well as most
people of color and
people with
disabilities).
Jews and others
descendants from
inferior “racial
stands.”

Hitler said he was inspired
by U.S. Indian reservation
system.

NAZI “RACIAL” PHILOSOPHY
Nazis asserted Jews
polluting “Aryan
race.”
Jews forced to wear
Yellow Star of
David patches, sign
of “race pollution.”

Nazis in Krosno
Nazis occupied center of
Jewish Quarter
Krosno’s Market Square,
troops referred to as
“Horse Square”
Merchants brought goods
to open-air markets on
Square in horse-drawn
carts
31
Market Square, Krosno, Poland
Simon & Eva Mahler’s 1932 film

Nazis in Krosno
June 1941, Nazis ordered creation of list of Jewish
population of Krosno.
Contained 2072 names.

Nazis in Krosno
9 August 1942, Nazis hung posters
Jews to appear next day, 9:00 a.m. Targowa railway
station.
Limited to 10 kilo suitcase
Assembled, 12 August 1942
Selection held:
Young and able bodied spared
2100 taken to forest and shot
600 placed in Krosno ghetto

Nazis in Krosno
Nazis searched city for hidden Jews.
Shot Jews on the spot
Nazis created small ghetto, 600 Jews
Kept until 1 December 1942
All shipped to Rzeszow or Reishe ghettos
Eventually to Auschwitz & Belzec
Some Jews remained in area in labor camps
Krosno clear of Jews, except for few who hid in
Polish homes.

Nazis in Krosno
127 Jews rounded up
Shot in mass grave
Photo by Warren J. Blumenfeld

Nazis in Krosno
Nazis converted
Krosno
Synagogue
Leveled between
1945 & 1946

Nazis in Krosno
Rabbi Fuehrer taken
from synagogue and
shot

Nazis in Krosno
Photo by Warren J. Blumenfeld

END OF WWII
Allies liberated Krosno
Krosno became a center for assembling Jewish survivors
Then went to Rumania and sailed to Palestine
This semi-legal base operated until Palestine borders closed
by British.
Jewish officials left Krosno
Krosno’s Jewish survivors never returned
Anti-Semitism from many non-Jewish residents
Jewish presence ended to this very day.

END OF WWII
Estimated 6 million Jews
murdered: equal to two-thirds
of European Jewry, and one-
third of the entire world-wide
Jewish population.

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
44

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
Sunday, July 6, 2008

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
Lucas and
Director,
Dr. Jan
Gancarski,
tour
Lucas over the River Wislok holding a picture
of Wolf Mahler’s butcher shop

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
Exhibition March - May
2008 documenting
Krosno’s Jewish
Community, titled
“Ocalic Od
Zapomnienia” (“Never
to Forget”).
From “Ocalic Od Zapomnienia”

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
Assistant Director, Katarzyna Krepulec-Nowak
Historic oil lamps, art, furniture, glassware,
documents, and other archives
Ancient fortified
wall from 14th
Century C.E

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
History book of Krosno, in Polish and
English.
Special “Letter of Appreciation” singed by
Director Gancarski.
The letter was written in Polish, and Lucus
translated it for me:

LETTER OF APPRECIATION
The Sub-Carpathian Museum in Krosno sends
heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Warren J. Blumenfeld
for providing an unusually valuable material in the
form of an historical film depicting Krosno in the
year 1932. The Sub-Carpathian Museum in Krosno
is happy to acknowledge this fruitful cooperation
and hopes to continue it in the future.
With Respect,
Director of the Sub-Carpathian Museum in Krosno,
Dr. Jan Gancarski
Krosno 7.07.2008

Lucas & Katarzyna
Jewish Exhibit, September 2010
Katarzyna (Kasia) & Lucas organized Jewish
Exhibit at Museum, September 2010 profiling
Mahler family, film as its cornerstone.
52

53
Local students from Subcarpathian region

In their continuing effort to recover and preserve
Jewish history and to reconcile and heal from a tragic
past, Kasia organized, aided by Lucas and Museum
director, Dr. Jan Gancarski, their “Jewish Day”
Exhibit.
Kasia extended gracious invitation to me to present
at this historic event.
54
Brochure: Jewish Day Exhibit, Sunday, 16 January 2011

55
Cousin Bernard (Bert) Cohen at Logan
Airport in Boston Thursday,
13 January 2011

56
Lavender fields and sounds of song birds
Restroom Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris
Friday, 14 January 2011.

57
Cousin and Rabbi Gary Tishkoff, from Israel
Krakow, Poland Airport.

My brilliant, personable, compassionate, and
exceedingly attractive cousins,
Gary Tishkoff (Israel) and
Bernard (Bert) Cohen (New Hampshire)
58

59
Krakow:
Graffiti on apartment building.

60
Early Saturday, 15 January 2010 , Krakow bus
station, boarded small van/bus to Krosno.

61
I realize that it isn’t kosher, but since we were in
Poland, en route to Krosno, we became real hams.
Okay, no more puns. I promise.

63
While Polish anti-Jewish attitudes still endure in the larger
Polish society, many Poles see that their homeland culture has
been diminished, and that it is not as rich and full with so few
Jews remaining in Poland.

64
This graffiti has a very complicated meaning
(coming from a sports team rivalry)
Visible example of tensions in Polish society

65
Parts, including the Star of David, written in red and later
painted over in black states “Come Back Jews”

66
Many Polish young people working to ensure a brighter future
for Jews. Pawel, not Jewish, worked a few years at Jewish
Museum in Krakow because motivated to learn about Polish
Jewish history and culture.

70
Jewish synagogue, neighboring Rymanow.

71
Hasidic Jews, New York City, financing renovations

73
Ruin, synagogue, Dukla, where Wolf Mahler
resided during his youth.

74
I couldn’t help but feel Wolf’s presence
on this hallowed ground.

77
Kasia discovered Mahler family’s Apartment and
Butcher Shop directly off Krosno’s Market Square.

82
Professional-Class Ropes Course
(Photos taken January 2011)

83
Krosno Glass factory outlet store

84
Former apartment building and butcher shop of Mahler family.
Photo by Katarzyna Krepulec-Nowak

Original
Mahler
Building
(lower right)
before
renovation
following
WWII.

87
Current owner of building.
Her father and his two partners rented the space to Mahler family.

88
Owner granted us permission to enter the upstairs apartment where
Mahler family resided.

89
My heart seemed to pound out of my chest as we
entered the building where my family once lived.

90
Following World War II, fire damaged upstairs apartment, but
restored close to original condition.

91
Currently serves as offices for a law firm.

99
Courtyard behind Mahler family apartment and shop,
depicted in Simon & Eva’s 1932 Krosno film.

101
Today, former Mahler family Butcher Shop
serves as Candy Shop.

102
The current proprietors graciously gave us a
tour around the shop.

THE JEWISH
CEMETERY
(Cmentarz Zydowski)
of Krosno
104

Cmentarz Zydowski
Following German
invasion of Krosno
Polish citizens, fearing
Nazis would vandalize &
demolish grave stones,
Entered Jewish Cemetery
Hid grave stones,
Returned them after
German troops retreated
105

Cmentarz Zydowski
Jews no longer reside in Krosno
Cemetery fell into disarray.
2002 local Krosno students, under management of
Grzegorz Bożek (local teacher and ecology activist)
Restored cemetery.
107Photos by Tomasz Okoniewski

MARKET SQUARE
&
THE FORMER JEWISH
QUARTER
113

118
Former Jewish ghetto, 1942
600 Jews forced into 12 small buildings,
located directly below.

“Jewish day”
Krosno, poland
16 January 2011
120

MUZEUM PODKARPACKIE
w KROSNIE
121

122
Krosno “Jewish Day” Flyer
Photo by Bert Cohen

123
Afternoon of event, Bert, Gary, and I met with
Kasia in her office to go over logistics.

127
Translater, Kasia Nowak.
Photo by Bert Cohen

130
Here with this remarkable woman who is working to have us all face
our past and who to me is living Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s words:
Photo by Bert Cohen

131
“If you want peace, work for justice.”

T
132
“There is much evil here, and as a mother of a three-year-old,
I must do what I can to work for a better world for my son.”
Photo by Bert Cohen

Jewish tenet of Tikkun Olam:
the transformation, healing, and repairing of
the world so that it becomes a more just,
peaceful, nurturing, and perfect place.
133

134
“Jewish Day” exhibit area.
Photo by Bert Cohen

136
Wolf Mahler & Family, Butcher Shop
Displayed in Krosno “Jewish
Day” exhibit area.

137
Synagogue
Displayed in Krosno

138
Moses, David, Simon Mahler
Displayed in Krosno

139
Brother ? Mahler, Fannie Mahler, Simon Mahler, Dinah Mahler
Gertrude Mahler (David Mahler’s Wife), Saul Mahler, Philip Mahler,
David Mahler, Beatrice Mahler, New York, c. 1915
Displayed in Krosno
“Jewish Day” exhibit
area.

140
Simon, Eva
Eva, Simon
Charles, Blanche, Jack
Eva
Scott, Simon, Warren,
Abby, Debra, Curt, Susan
U.S.A. Displayed in Krosno “Jewish Day”
exhibit area.

141
“History of the Mahler
Family”
Displayed in Krosno “Jewish Day” exhibit area.

142
“Oldest Film of Krosno”
Explanation of Simon & Eva
Mahler’s 1932 family film of
Krosno.
Displayed in Krosno “Jewish Day” exhibit area.

143
Nazi troops transported a number of Krosno Mahlers to Korczyn
(once called Rzegocin) where they murdered them: Haya Rivka,
Eliazar, Hersh, Raphael, Moshe, Sarah, Yanka, and Wolf Mahler.
http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/korczyna/Kor447.html

144
SUBCARPATHIAN MUSEUM OF KROSNO
Presents
Krosno Jewish Day
… And Your Brother …
16 January 2011, 17.00 [5:00 p.m.]

146
Though the Museum auditorium holds125, an estimated 650 people
attended the “Jewish Day” event. Sadly, over 500 people had to be
turned away.

147
Dr. Jan Gancarski, museum director, “Jewish Day” established in
1997 and celebrated annually in January. Falls on eve of Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity.

• He quoted Fr. Archbishop Jozef Michalik:
"The Community of prayer, a better
understanding of their faith, honoring the
memory of Jews who were part of Polish
history and the Poles who have brought
their faithfulness in difficult times, is the
most important fruit, which brings Jewish
Day."

“It is reminded that Christians and Jews believe in one
creator of heaven and earth, giver of the
commandments, whose observance is a way of life….
It's time for another of our culture - an older, original
- [and for us] to let go of prejudices and stereotypes, a
genuine chance of understanding and reconciliation. It
is an opportunity for dialogue, and what we really
need is a moment of mutual understanding and
respect, a fraternal conversation….
In Krosno, we can not on this day talk about the
descendants of our older brothers who once lived here.
None of the Krosno Jews who survived the Holocaust
settled here after the war, so we only remember our
neighbors. We can only look at them in the faded
photos… which have been left here, memorabilia
preserved in the museum.” Dr. Jan Gancarski
149

150
Fr. Waldemar Janiga led the assembled in a
prayer of religious understanding and unity.
Photo by Bert Cohen

151
Photo by Bert Cohen
To introduce the Mahler film, Kasia led the
audience through a guided visualization
developed from her extensive genealogical
and historical research. Here is an English
translation of Kasia’s address:
* * * * *
Our exhibition is called “Brothers,"
[neighbours] and it is not an exhibition
about the death of people. It is about their
lives.
Along with our neighbours, we created the
world, far from perfect, but our own. This
exhibition is an invitation to walk through
pre-war Krosno.
Have you liked the "Old Movies" series
that used to be on the national television
channel every Sunday? I loved it and I
didn't miss even one.

Let's imagine a world from this kind of black and white movie. Let's
imagine black and white Krosno.
It is September of 1932. Our town really blossoms this time of year.
Someone left a copy of the New Journal on a small bench down by the
river bank. Mr. Dym's shop has its advertisement on the second page.
One can see the new, popular gloves for ladies.
On Pilsudski Street you can smell the rolls from the second baking in the
bakery of Izrael Breitowicz. The people from Linas Chojlim are already
giving out the soup for orphans from Korczyńska Street.
And here it is again, a large line to Mahler's butcher shop. Little Mannis
Mahler is helping his grandfather. He is a beautiful, sweet little boy.
Doctor Still had a sudden call from the shelter in the synagogue. He looks
very worried. Chairman Akselrad is taking his daughter to the piano
lesson. I heard she's great.
152

Our Market Square is filled with sunlight, teeming with life.
Mr. Englander from the Aguda Party is having an argument
with Mr. Wiesenfeld over Zionism. After they finish, they will
both go to Chanie Plater's restaurant to put on the nosebag
[eat], and perhaps later, they will go to the taproom on
Franciscan Street.
And we? Shall we go to Ider's Inn on Staszic Street? Their
meals are marvelous!
This kind of dream-walk is about to materialise here tonight
thanks to the very special movie that we received from a very
special man.
But I would like him to tell his story in his own words.
Ladies and gentlemen -- Dr. Warren Blumenfeld.
153

154
Simon’s antique Tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) and embroidered
Kippah (Jewish skull cap)
“Letter to My Great-Grandparents of Krosno, Poland.”
Photo by Damian Krzanowski

155
Dear Great-Grandfather Wolf and Great-Grandmother Bascha,
Though I have never written to you, I have carried your image and felt
your comforting presence ever since that first day when your son [my
maternal grandfather, Simon Mahler] told me about you….
Photo by Bert Cohen

One day, when I was very young, I sat upon Simon’s
knee. Looking down urgently, but with deep affection, he
said to me, “Warren, you are named after my father,
Wolf Mahler. I lived in Krosno, Poland with my father,
Wolf, and my mother, Bascha, and 13 brothers and
sisters, and aunts, uncles, and cousins.”
Simon talked about all of you with pride, but as he
told me this, he seemed rather sad. I asked him if you still
lived in Poland, and he responded that his father,
mother, and most of the rest of his family were no longer
alive. When I asked him how they had died, he told me
that they had all been killed by people called Nazis. I
questioned him why the Nazis killed our family, and he
responded, “Because they were Jews.”
Those words have reverberated in my mind, haunting
me ever since….
156

157
As you know, according to Ashkenazi [European heritage]
Jewish tradition, a newborn infant is given a name in honor of a
deceased relative. The name is formed by taking the entire name
or just the initial letter of the name of the ancestor being honored.
I had the good fortune of being named after you great-
grandfather Wolf. As it has turned out over the years, you not
only gave me my name, but you, Bascha, and Simon also gave me
a sense of history and a sense of my identity.
Simon left Krosno in 1912 bound for New York City, leaving
you and most of his siblings. His older brother, David, who
traveled to the United States in 1911, returned in 1912 to bring
Simon, and three of his sisters, Fannie, Sadie, and Dinah back
with him. As they left Poland, a series of pogroms targeting Jews
had spread throughout the area. Simon often explained to me that
they could only travel by night with darkness as their shield to
avoid being attacked and beaten by people who hated Jews.

They arrived in the United States on New Years’
Eve in a city filled with gleaming lights and
frenetic activity, and with their own hearts filled
with hope for a new life.

Simon returned to Krosno with my
grandmother, Eva, in 1932 to a joyous
homecoming. This was the first time he had
seen you since he left Poland. He took with
him an early home movie camera to record
you on film. While in Poland, he promised
that once back in the United States, he
would try to earn enough money to send
for his remaining family members who
wished to come to the United States, but
history was to thwart his plans. During
that happy reunion, he had no way of
knowing that this was to be the last time he
would ever see you and those others he left
behind alive. Just seven years later, on 1
September 1939, the Nazis invaded
Poland….
159
Kasia
Nowak
translatin
g into
Polish
Photo by Bert Cohen

Simon never fully recovered from those
days in 1939. Though he kept the faces and
voices from his homeland within him
throughout his life, the Nazis also invaded
my grandfather’s heart, killing a part of
him forever. My mother told me that Simon
became increasingly introspective, less
spontaneous, and less optimistic of what
the future would hold….
Great-grandfather Wolf and great-
grandmother Bascha, you would have been
proud of Simon. He was a loving and
caring father, grandfather, and great-
grandfather. He gave me so much: my
enjoyment for taking long walks and sitting
in quiet solitude, pride in my Jewish
heritage, and most of all, my ability to
love.
160
Photo by Bert Cohen

161
I then talked about the righteous rescuers of those tragic times, and of those of the
modern day. I concluded my remarks by acknowledging the great work of the
“rescuers” of Jewish history and Jewish culture today in the complete absence of
Jewish people: Grzegorz Bożek and the volunteers who have restored the Jewish
cemetery in Krosno…
Photo by Bert Cohen

162
…and the good people of the Muzeum Podkarpackie w Krosnie, especially
Lucas Klopot, Katarzyna Krepulec-Nowak, and Dr. Jan Gancarski. “They and
all of their colleagues work tirelessly to rescue and restore a vital part of history
in keeping memories alive and in educating new generations. They are my
heroes, and I will forever hold them in my thoughts and in my heart.”
.

163
Gary then recited and Kasia translated Kaddish, the traditional Jewish
prayer for the dead. Before the prayer, Gary eloquently explained this
tradition and added personal reflections about what this prayer means
to him.
Photo by Bert Cohen

164
Simon and Eva Mahler’s 1932 film portrayed the town of
Krosno, and in particular, the Mahler family. This rare film is
the oldest film of the town known to exist.
Jews arrived in Krosno in the fifteenth century CE, and by 1938
numbered 2700, or 18.5 percent of the town’s population.
Prior to the Nazi invasion, the Jewish population in Poland
numbered around 3 million. Today, only about 10 thousand
Jews reside in Poland.
Lucas ran the film for the audience.

165
Members of the audience sat
transfixed as they witnessed
the sights of their town
during a time long passed.
Some pointed to familiar
landmarks.
Others spotted
possible relatives
in the old Market
Square. Some were
visibly moved, tears
streaming down
their cheeks.

Great-Grandparents, this night I fulfilled a life-
long dream of bringing you, your children, and
your grand children home to a happy reunion.
With love forever, Warren
166

167
The program came to a stirring conclusion with the brilliant clear sounds of
the Rzeszow Klezmer Band
as Lucas ran the Mahler family film one final time.
Kamil Siciak
Mateusz
Chmiel
Jacek
Anyszek Marcin
Mucha
Wojciech
Jajuga

168
Bert, Gary, and I had our picture taken with Museum Director Jan
Gancarski and Krosno Mayor Piotr Przytocki.

169
I was particularly touched when two students asked to take a picture with me.
Kasia Krepulec-Nowak translated that they are currently writing their thesis
paper focusing on the Mahler family of Krosno.
Photo by Bert Cohen

170
At the conclusion of an emotional and memorable day, we relaxed,
unwound, and processed at a fabulous restaurant in a former wine cellar
beneath Krosno’s Market Square.
Photo by Bert Cohen

171
Unfortunately, all good things must end, and we said “good bye” to our good
friend, Kasia (Kate), and her husband Matthew (whom I referred to as “Mr.
Kate”). We are seen here at the Krosno bus station ready to board our bus back
to Krakow, Monday, 17 January 2011.

Going back to
the united
states
172

173
Leaving Auschwitz back to Krakow on the bus, Bert took some pictures from the
window. During the bus ride, we had a chance to talk and reflect not only on our
time at the concentration camps, but also on the events of the past week…

174
…about Krosno, and the
friends we made…

175
…about the places we had
been…

177
…about the
wonderful and
new foods we
enjoyed...
Photos by
Bert Cohen

178
… about the emotional impact all of
this had on us…

179
…and how we had grown closer as family.
Since Gary was scheduled to fly back home to Israel
that evening, soon after arriving back at our hotel in
Krakow, we hugged and said good bye to Gary as he
left in a cab for the airport.

180
The following day, Bert and I woke early, ate breakfast, and took a cab
to the Krakow airport. Our flight to Prague had been cancelled, but we
were fortunate to catch another flight directly to Paris in time for our
Paris to Boston flight that evening.

181
Though we were exhausted from an exciting and emotional week, we also felt
the energy of knowing that though we were returning to the United States, in
some ways, we had been transformed, and knowing that we will never be the
same.
Photo by Bert Cohen

Remembrance, Rescue, & Recovery: Going Home to Poland

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (16)

En vedette

En vedette (10)

Similaire à Remembrance, Rescue, & Recovery: Going Home to Poland

Similaire à Remembrance, Rescue, & Recovery: Going Home to Poland (20)

Plus de Warren Blumenfeld

Plus de Warren Blumenfeld (20)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

Remembrance, Rescue, & Recovery: Going Home to Poland