MEETING A NAZI’S DESCENDANT

A meditation on the challenge of choosing life’s paths


In this last week edition of the Jewish Press, there’s an article by Elliot Resnick, a reporter staff who wrote about a challenging task that a Holocaust survivor took upon herself: Meet the daughter of a former Nazi commander called Goeth; as the daughter of the Nazi called Helen Jonas out that she desired to meet her.

Now, after 60 years of the horrendous Holocaust tragedy they met in Poland; the meeting is going to be portrayed as a documentary airing on TV. I’m not so sure how genuine the documentary is going to be, but if it really is – it’s probably a story that catches attention due to its implication.

I’m aware that there are few descendents of Nazi commanders that even converted to Judaism and happened to give speeches; but this seems a different case, the daughter whose name is Monika Hertwig was willing to meet Mrs. Jonas who was saved by the real famous hero Schindler ( Schindler’s list by Spielberg) during World war II.

What would cause a daughter of a Nazi look forward to meeting a Holocaust survivor who used to live in her father’s village? Would it be due to a sense of trying to distance herself from the image of her father? Mrs.Hertwig only found out about her father's past either at the age of 11 or 13.

I think the whole curiosity itself involving the story is the reason to film a documentary. Should we blame a daughter of a Nazi for the behavior of her father? Whatever one may conclude about the complexity of this fact; she probably has to bear the fact of being connected with her father.

Human beings in general are judged in society by our family branches, because we happen to carry their DNA, whether good or bad. Nevertheless, every individual has their personal “marks” and personality character – though there might be tendencies.

When, one’s ancestors are good loving people, we hope to see that their descendants are going to be good and hopefully surface their Mitzvot. Yet, throughout the whole Torah we see all kinds of mixed cases.

As Torah describes some brothers acted good and some bad to name a few: Cain vs. Abel (good), Jacob vs. Esau (wicked) and what about Korach’s sons that not only didn’t agree with their own father’s wickedness, even endured the shame of being Korach’s son and they totally separated themselves from their wickedness's influence and were able to compose inspirational Psalms (Tehilim) to G-d due to their desire to reach higher divine levels.

What about the opposite path of Absalom? Having as a father the righteous David HaMelech( king David) chose the wrong path.

Korach’s sons chose the right path, removing themselves from the evil influence of their father; so how much easier it should be for all of us to reach higher grounds and win the battle of evil we face?

In regards to Mrs. Hertwig, we should consider that the fact that she wants to dialogue with a Jewish survivor may proof that she’s trying to expel herself from the darkness of her father’s ideology.

In resume, whatever the case of a person might be there's a choice; in the case of the Jewish nation - we must emulate the ultimate goodness of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.


By Carine


The trailer of the documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGAJpE3LOhs

Jewish Press article about the encounter: http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/37366/Holocaust_Survivor_M.html

Ps: P.O.V will be streaming film until January at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2008/inheritance/fullfilm.html - if you click on the title you can be redirected to the streaming video.

DNA – CONFIRMS IBERIAN PENINSULA JEWISH ANCENSTRY

JEWISH DNA LIVES ON



Most Jewish people were already aware of the consequences of the inquisition, and that great part of the population of Spain and Portugal of the time who didn’t flee – had to convert or die.

The Jewish world is mostly composed by Sephardic and Ashkenazy Jews; we all know that most Sephardic origins come from families expelled from the Iberian Peninsula.

Now, many people from that region were probably unaware of their Jewish inheritance; actually a lot of them may have thought that since their families were there for hundreds of years – they were for sure native Spaniards and Portuguese…

Yet, for their surprise the genetic research lead by scientists Mark A. Jobling of the University of Leicester in England and Francesc Calafell of the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona reveals the truth that there was indeed a great level of “forced” conversion on the Jewish population that remained there.

The DNA study was based on the Y chromosome of Jewish men of several Sephardic migrating Jewish communities and it confirmed that this Chromosome Y remained from father to son.

Therefore, the scientists through this study reveal not only that 20% of the population of the Iberian Peninsula has Sephardic blood and only 11% of Moorish ancestry. It also confirms that the historical event of Inquisition wasn’t a Jewish invention. It really took place, hurting the Jewish nation as whole and leaving scars on those persecuted families that fled and some still lucky even “ converting” were able to disregard their forced conversion and pass on their Jewish heritage as a miracle.

In short, the Jewish nation has always undergone many challenges: exiles, inquisitions, persecutions, holocaust, anti-Semitism and recently terrorism. Yet, it has proved its strength to survive through it all. One example is that a lot of crypt-Jews are returning to its roots and that the Jewish DNA lives on.

Here goes a link of a video showing it - long before the scientist's confirmation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoeQtKzmZ1I&feature=related



By Carine Silberstein

OUR FREEDOM UNDER THREAT

THREATS WITHIN THE COUNTRY


We have just witnessed the cruelty of these trained terrorists who got into India by boat from Pakistan – ruining any sense of security for the people in India and its jewish people.

Now, what many people are not aware is that a lot of these terrorist minded people have immigrated to the USA, they marry just anybody in order to obtain permanent visas and right away become US. Citizens.

Most of Islamic terrorists have exploited every kind of Immigration visas from temporary, business, student, green card holders and full US. Citizens; they marry for obtaining visas and have relatives here, according to US Immigration.

So, how secure are we? How come these people always get whenever they want, and nobody stops them? They get here and have all the “human rights” protection and make demands. I wish it was just a bad nightmare fabricated from my mind, but, unfortunately it’s the bitter reality.

If you google it – you will be surprise to read some much information about it…Everyone knows that the 9/11 terrorist used “temporary visas”, yet there are many inside the US who are citizens…So, what can be done to undo this terrible harm?

Just now, as I checked Foxnews site channel – I faced an article there, which for many reasons doesn’t surprise me.

In Minneapolis area, USA, there are many of such people who are US. Citizens and are at this very moment being trained by terrorists agencies which I don’t want to even mention its name. The story goes that all of the sudden the men population of this area, disappeared! And now everyone is concerned that they are really training in Somalia!

They even took a picture of one of these “US citizens” men in the training camp, isn’t it outrageous? The fact is, what must the US do in order to keep its security, once the terrorist has gotten all excess?

They get into Israel, India the USA…everywhere in the name of “understanding” and that their religion is peaceful…I’m sorry I don’t buy it. If it were, then, there wouldn’t be one “religious” fanatic killing.

What can we do now, that’s the question? Is it G-d forbid only a matter of time? We must pray to G-d that the Government should open its eyes, and the West society should realize the threat within.


By Carine

sources:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/701154/posts#exploited
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,461865,00.html

GRIEVING FOR THE INNOCENT IN MUMBAI

Peril times

Few hours after I wrote about peril times and the importance of being together; the evil fanatic terrorists were acting on in India. It’s very sad to find out what was happening, and yet to see more and more disgrace. As soon as I found out the news I started praying; even before I knew what was about to happen in the Chabad house there I had passed e-mails for praying for the shluchim there.

It’s not surprising that terrorists do whatever they want anywhere and get it with a pass, as the Western society is sleepy. The terrorists attacked Indian citizens, Westerners tourists and aimed at Israelis and Jews – at this time, what was their excuse and what will the mainstream bias media blame?

It’s an unspeakable tragedy on India and its people. Yet, I doubt that much will be done against those who planned such attacks.

I spent the whole Thursday and Friday morning reciting Psalms (Tehilim) waiting for news and when the news came, it was a sad one. It saddens me tremendously to see that selfless people like Rabbi Gavriel Noach and his wife Rivka Holtzberg who were there to spread a meaningful life and light, happened to become martyrs.

We see that their lives will motivate more kindness and love towards everyone, yet, in my humble opinion, we should echo in prayers that the Western Society should awake from its sleep.

The truth is, that the West must acknowledge that it’s under threat, sure we must be good, and do more, pray more and ask G-d for wisdom at such peril times. I had written before the terrorists religion is growing despite all the horror.

So, first and foremost the West should become self-conscious and heed to G-d, instead of taking His name out of places, it should emphasize that in G-d we trust. Thus, in our daily lives we must keep on doing what’s good – refusing to give in to the evil in this World.

The first and foremost important thing is that we must unite and merit that G-d may heed our voices crying for redemption now! Then, all our opponents will be eradicated.

May the Almighty bring His Redemption.

Carine