CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
ROBERT AND JANET:
NOWY TARG (POLAND) HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Last year, on my birthday, I both lost a friend and gained a friend.
I was privileged to meet Robert (Reibeisen) Mendler, the last Holocaust survivor in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. I was privileged to write an article on him in the Westmoreland County Historical Magazine and to continue his story on this blog.
I was privileged to spend the afternoon of December 8, 2009, in his company (see link at end of post).
I was also privileged to be the person who informed him that he was not the only survivor of his hometown, Nowy Targ, Poland. The survival of Janet Applefield, also a Nowy Targ, Poland, Holocause survivor, was a revelation to him.
Thus, enroute to his funeral, I made an impromptu decision to try to speak.
I asked my husband, Monte, who was with me, if I should do this. After all, I knew nothing about Jewish funerals—this was my first experience. I did not have the time to consult with Janet, on whose behalf I wanted to speak. Somehow, though, I felt that she wouldn’t mind.
When I arrived at the synagogue I fear I made myself obnoxious, asking different persons if I could speak. Even so, I was given permission, and I was invited up to the podium during the service.
Here is what I shared at Bob’s funeral:
Everyone here is (more…)
Robert and Janet: Nowy Targ Holocaust Survivors
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CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
ROBERT AND JANET:
NOWY TARG (POLAND) HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Last year, on my birthday, I both lost a friend and gained a friend.
I was privileged to spend the afternoon of December 8, 2009, in his company (see link at end of post).
Thus, enroute to his funeral, I made an impromptu decision to try to speak.
I asked my husband, Monte, who was with me, if I should do this. After all, I knew nothing about Jewish funerals—this was my first experience. I did not have the time to consult with Janet, on whose behalf I wanted to speak. Somehow, though, I felt that she wouldn’t mind.
When I arrived at the synagogue I fear I made myself obnoxious, asking different persons if I could speak. Even so, I was given permission, and I was invited up to the podium during the service.
Here is what I shared at Bob’s funeral:
Everyone here is (more…)