Some books become part of us

 By Sheila Orysiek

Sheila Orysiek
Sheila Orysiek

THE FAMILYSAN DIEGO — As I’ve gotten older, I have found it more and more difficult to read about the Holocaust – it is simply too emotionally overwhelming.  But something about The Family: Three Journeys into the Heart of the Twentieth Century, by David Laskin, (Viking-Random House, 2013),  caught my eye – and then my heart.  Perhaps it was the picture on the front cover.  A mother, a father, two young children – their innocent faces – that could very well be a picture of my family; anyone’s family.  Those faces really do belong to all of us.

David Laskin’s story begins with his ancestor, Shimon Dov Hakohen (b.1835), who was a Kohen (descendant of the Temple priests) and a Torah scribe, married to Beyle Shapiro, and lived in the Belarus town of Volozhin.  As the years pass they and their descendants survive the vicissitudes of pogroms, wars and revolutions but as the storm of the Second World War gathers, the family splits into three parts – each taking a different road.  One road leads to Palestine/Israel as determined pioneers in the Land, the second to America with hard work leading to life and abundance, but the third family group chooses to stay in Europe hoping for better days.  That is a road with a dead end.

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From the Jewish library
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Laskin brings each family member to life with an honest, but tender eye.  Living in the shtetles (small towns) of Eastern Europe – the bustle of the market – the quiet of the Sabbath – hopes, dreams and tragedies.   He follows those who emigrated to Palestine/Israel, the difficulties of being pioneers; the relentless work of wresting a living from an unwelcoming environment.

Those who went to America also encounter the usual tribulations of immigrants but they were successful – some spectacularly so.  The question of why this family group with all the means at their disposal did not do more to help those behind in Europe remains an open question.   Though the group in Europe was reluctant to leave, still the reader can’t help but come to the conclusion that the American branch, with one or two exceptions, did not perceive itself as having any familial responsibility to help.

When the author comes to the inevitable description of the demise of the family group caught in the Nazi nightmare, he does not spare the reader, but he does not play for emotion; the factual picture is enough to do that.  In some way that factual account is even more devastating and I admit to looking at those faces in the pictures and then reading of their horrific end through blinding tears.

The story swept me up and held me.  Laskin’s writing is both gripping and elegant.  It  became part of me and the story of my family.

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Orysiek is a freelance writer who specializes in arts and literature.  Comments may be made in the space provided below this article or sent to the author at sheila.orysiek@sdjewishworld.com

2 thoughts on “Some books become part of us”

  1. Sheila Orysiek is obviously a tender-hearted person. I have heard similar comments from others who felt that they should read books written by Holocaust survivors and at the same time were somewhat afraid of reading these books.

    And then there are Holocaust survivors like me whom it took many years to confront memories with which they did not how to live. It took me 60 years before I decided to put my memories on paper and publish them. But once this process started it proved to be real catharsis and I could not wait to write FINIS and get the heavy load off my chest. It took me another six years before publishing an expanded version of my memoir.

    At the same time many Holocaust survivors were never able to verbalize and talk about their memories and in many cases took these to their grave. As a survivor of six German concentration camps I can tell you that essentially you never get over your experiences.

    Peter Kubicek
    Author of ” Memories of Evil — Recalling a World War II Childhood”

  2. Following is an author-reviewer exchange:

    Dear Sheila, Many thanks for sending this — you really capture the
    spirit of the book. I love San Diego and I had a warm reception at a
    reading I did last September at Warwick’s in La Jolla. Best, David

    On Sun, Jan 18, 2015 at 8:42 AM, wrote:
    > Dear Mr. Laskin:
    >
    > I thought you might be interested in my review of your book: “The
    > Family……” which has been published on SanDiegoJewishWorld.com.
    >
    > Here is the link:
    >
    > https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2015/01/18/books-become-part-us/
    >
    > In addition, as the chair of the Library Committee, I am purchasing it for
    > our Temple library.
    >
    >
    > Sheila Orysiek

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