Dear friends,
When I went to visit my dear friend and holocaust survivor George Pal yesterday, as I do regularly, I didn't expect the personal discovery that I was about to hear.
After George graciously invited me in and offered me a cup of coffee, he pointed to a pile of paper on the table and said "I think you will find it interesting..."
"Last week I was searching for a live interview with Prof. Elie Weisel, and I got on to the website of the Claim Conferance.
In the homepage of the site they featured a picture of the selection in Auschwitz. I looked at the picture and right in front I saw myself, at the age of 17, arriving at this death camp!"
George lifted up the picture and it was very clear that it was him, standing at that famous tragic line before facing Josef Mengele, now known as 'The Angel of Death'.
George told me of his last encounter with his grandfather, who was taken to the gas chambers. I had heard the story before, but when George was holding that picture in his hand - it sounder more real than ever.
And the message, to me, was also very real. I'm pleased to share it all with you:
George Pal wrote...
Shalom Shabbat
Yosef
Joannie wrote...
Mr. Pal can recall what happened to him and his family almost moment by moment. How painful that must be for him, yet through his memory we understand it how fortunate we are to live as free Jews. His very being is a blessing. G-d should bless him with health, happiness and prosperity.
Susan Ruth Date wrote...
They shall never be forgotten.
inna Smolov wrote...
As one french writer put it : " ...so many have suffered and perished... our memories are their only grave....".
These are the words written on the Holocaust Memorial wall in the heart of Venetisn Ghetto.
[email protected] wrote...
Thank you, George, for sharing this heartbreaking and horrendous experience with us. May your precious Uncle Poldi's memory be a blessing to you and all Israel. I am sure that his tears cleansed what he thought his sin was......it was not his sin.....it was the sin of those who chose evil instead of good and forced their will on others. His adherence to and love for the mitzvot was the goodness that shone from him and maybe encouraged others as they were suffering as you did.
Thank you for your ever courageous sharing of your life.
May Hashem bless you with health and joy.
Lindy Shortt