K Heidi Fishman

I have written before about Lloyd Miller. He is the US Army sergeant that helped my family when they were Displaced Persons in Pilsen/Plzen Czechoslovakia in June 1945. I have two pictures of him. I asked my mother how she got them, and she remembers that he gave them to her. She also told meContinue reading “Stories Behind the Old Photos”

University of Hartford Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies Awards Evening

Monday night I attended the University of Hartford Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies Awards Evening. It was an evening of acknowledgment for hard work, academic rigor, teaching and learning, and appreciation for the donors who made it all possible. Avi Patt and Matthew Rubin presented the Joseph Zola Memorial Holocaust Educator Award to meContinue reading “University of Hartford Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies Awards Evening”

Missing a Generation

I belong to a few Facebook groups for 2Gs. A 2G is a child of a Holocaust survivor. Since my mother and her parents survived, I am both a 2G and a 3G. Yesterday someone from one of these Facebook groups posted a very simple question: Did any of your grandparents survive the Holocaust? HeContinue reading “Missing a Generation”

Writer’s Block (Or How I Got Stuck but Am Finding My Way Back)

Recently I hit the wall. I got stuck. I contracted a case of writer’s block. All of that is an excuse for the simple fact that I lost confidence. I wanted to make my manuscript better, and I didn’t know how. So, instead of buckling down and working harder, I turned my back on theContinue reading “Writer’s Block (Or How I Got Stuck but Am Finding My Way Back)”

Margret Brave

European Mother and Child 1962 Edna Hibel Two weeks ago my daughter had the flu. It was mild, but enough to keep her home and in bed for a week. I did everything I could for her. I brought her hot tea, fresh OJ and toast with jam. I set up the humidifier in herContinue reading “Margret Brave”

Reading of the 102,000 Names

Right now, in a small forgotten corner of The Netherlands, people are gathering and reading the names of the 102,000 people who were deported from Holland and murdered at the hands of the Nazis. Please spend a few minutes on the live stream and listen. You don’t have to understand Dutch to appreciate the enormityContinue reading “Reading of the 102,000 Names”

48 Amazing Hours

Two days ago I heard from the granddaughter of the man who helped to save my family. Here is what she sent.: Hello, the man who arranged the (false) passports was my grandfather. As I met Margret and Heinz several times … I remember several related stories. Here and there the facts are a bitContinue reading “48 Amazing Hours”

Well Here’s Another Fine Mess I’ve Gotten Into*

I have been trying to edit my manuscript and get it in the best shape possible. There are typos and redundancies and places that need a bit more pep. And then there are the more important issues – like historical accuracy and avoiding plagiarism. I have one chapter that begins with my grandfather listening toContinue reading “Well Here’s Another Fine Mess I’ve Gotten Into*”

Under My Nose the Whole Time

While I was visiting my parents recently I took a few minutes to look at the bookshelf in their living room. There is a section on sailing for dad and The Complete Works of Shakespeare. There are atlases and dictionaries and several art books of the great masters. And then there is The Holocaust shelf.Continue reading “Under My Nose the Whole Time”