Journeys of courage
Our grandparents did not all have easy lives. They may have traveled at happy times, but also at challenging and even devastating times. Their stories point to their courage and strength, and carry messages of hope and light.
Candlesticks
Jerusalem
grandmother
This pair of candlesticks holds a very special meaning for me and my family. The candlesticks were purchased at a market in Jerusalem in 1967 the time of the Six Day War in Israel. My great grandmother had promised my grandmother a pair of candlesticks as a souvenir of her first visit to the holy city. Little did my great grandmother know that she would find herself in the middle of the Six Day War. As you can imagine it was a time of incredible stress and fear for her as her Israeli grandsons were drafted into the war. Thank G-d they were kept safe and returned home safe and sound.
This pair of candlesticks is a symbol of my great grandmother courage and bravery as she made the trip into Jerusalem a war zone to fulfill her promise of returning back to South Africa with the candlesticks from Jerusalem. These candlesticks take pride of place on our dining room sideboard as a reminder of the holiness of Shabbat as well as our holy city Jerusalem.
German stick grenade
Germany
My Dad
This German stick grenade was used against the Jews in World War II. My Dad bought it at an auction.
It is significant because it was used against the Jews and it is part of our history.
It is so important for us to remember our history. We need to discuss the miracle of our survival, as well as things we can do to make sure that the Holocaust will never happen again.
I hope that one day this stick grenade will be mine.
Stained wallet
Poland - Radomsk
My Gran
This wallet belonged to my great granfather's brother. His entire family died in the Holocaust. He survived and this wallet survived with him. The money is stained with blood.
This wallet is a reminder to us that the Holocaust happened and we must never forget! It symbolizes the pain of our past and our mission to move forward no matter what!
Diary
Ponevez
Grandmother, Gertrude M.
This is a diary written in Yiddish by Eliezer M. At the age of 17, he left his family in Ponevez and boarded a ship going to South Africa in search of a better life. This diary records his courage and feelings from the time he receives his tickets to come to South Africa and the journey on the ship, until he arrives in Cape Town on 17th October 1924. Eliezer's daughter-in-law, Gertrude M., had the diary translated from Yiddish into English.
This diary is precious to my family as it gives us insight into this special man's character and the sacrifices he made so that his family could all live a better life. It makes me feel proud to be Jewish and proud to be Eliezer M's great grandson.
Photo of Jewish People in WWII on their way to the Assembly Point
Europe during WWII
This very special book called The Yellow Star is handed down from my family. Many Jews in Europe were gathered to an Assembly Point, where they were selected and put on different trains and sent off to labour/death camps.
One must NEVER EVER FORGET what happened in World War II. It is our duty to educate every generation and all our children for years to come as the Jewish People are one big family. I love being Jewish and I am very proud that I'm here to tell the story on behalf of my brethren who did not survive the war.
Passport and emigration paper
Plunyan, Lithuania
My great aunt, Rose G.
My great, great grandmother, Chaya B., lived in Plunyan, Lithuania. She had 6 children: 4 girls and 2 boys. Her husband emigrated to South Africa 20 years before she did. Then all 6 of the children came to South Africa. She was the last to come. She came with a goat which was her pet. She came with the last quota of Jewish people on the boat via England. My great grandmother Helen was one of her children. Chaya was born in 1875 and came to South Africa in 1920.
These papers are part of my inheritance, teaching me about my ancestors and the generations before me. They teach me about how my family was formed and where they came from. They give me information on how they lived in those times and inspires me to live in a way that would make them proud.
Photograph
Frankfurt, Germany
My grandpa
In 1939, my anscestors left Germany. This picture was taken on a boat from Germany. The only country that would accept Jews at the time was Swaziland. They were very poor in Swaziland and lived in a tin shack with no electricity, water or roilets. Life was very hard at that time. Swaziland was a British protectorate.
This picture of my grandpa with his mother tells their story of escape and freedom. My grandfather and his parents left Germany to continue their family life in Swaziland and later in South Africa. My grandfather met my granny in 1960 and 9 years later my mother was born. Had he not escaped from Germany, I would not be alive today.