World War II – K Heidi Fishman (Popje and Me)

Stuck

Like many writers, I have hit a spot where I am stuck. This isn’t writer’s block. It isn’t due to a lack of imagination or time or effort. I am stuck because I can’t quite fit together the pieces of history that I have unearthed. I have my mother’s memories and the stories she hasContinue reading “Stuck”

The Nazis Targeted the Disabled Too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8umFV69fNg The Jews were by no means the only victims of the Holocaust during WWII. The Nazis murdered physically handicapped people seeing them as useless and potential threats They were afraid that their genes would weaken the “master race.” Please watch this video. It shows mannequins made to match actual individuals with various physical differences.Continue reading “The Nazis Targeted the Disabled Too”

What’s in a Name?

I’m getting ready to go to The Netherlands to do research. Two days ago I suddenly thought of a place I hadn’t considered visiting yet. My mother and her family went into hiding for a short time during the war. My mother had told me that they were hiding in the attic of Bobby andContinue reading “What’s in a Name?”

Stolperstein and The Day of Judiasm

The Day of Judaism (January 17) is a day dedicated to Christian-Jewish reflection. The Roman Catholic Church in Italy started this day in 1990. I am not entirely sure of the history, but I believe it is intended to be a way for Christians to better understand the Jewish roots of their faith. In 1997Continue reading “Stolperstein and The Day of Judiasm”

Journey of the Ring

I caught this short story on NPR yesterday. Warms the heart! I think I know a bit of how Mr. Cox feels as I have had the same surprise and appreciation each time I encounter someone across the miles who puts a piece of my family’s WWII story together.

Connecting to Anne Frank

I was playing around on a genealogy website and I came across an interesting discovery: Anne Frank is my second great uncle’s uncle’s wife’s sister’s husband’s nephew’s wife’s first cousin once removed’s wife’s great-niece. Now, I wasn’t sure I believed this so I took out paper and pen and drew out the family connection. HereContinue reading “Connecting to Anne Frank”