Today marks the solemn anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation Day, a day of remembrance and reflection on the horrors of the Holocaust. On January 27, 1945, the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by Soviet forces, bringing an end to one of the darkest chapters in human history. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed and the resilience of those who survived. My grandmother was one of those resilient survivors.
Although she was not in Auschwitz, she endured unimaginable suffering as an Ostarbeiter, kidnapped from Ukraine and forced into slavery in Germany. Her story of survival is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. I had the honor of writing a book about her experiences, capturing her journey through the Holocaust and her enslavement. The book is scheduled to come out in May of 2025 to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
Eighteen years after her death, my grandmother came to me in a dream and told me that I should write this book. Since then, she has been guiding me throughout this process. Her story, like so many others, is a crucial part of our collective memory. It is through these personal narratives that we can truly understand the impact of the Holocaust and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
