World War 2
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Last week, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Mehak Burza. Although I was suffering from a bad cold at the time, I went ahead with the interview because the message was too important, and I wanted to honor Dr. Burza’s generosity in making time for me. We spoke about her studies and how the…
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In the summer of 1943, Suze Arts, a young unmarried mother, got a job as an SS Aufseherin (female guard) at Camp Vught. She followed a six-week ‘training course’ at the notorious Ravensbrück women’s camp and became one of the most notorious female guards of Camp Vught. Susanne (Suze) Arts was born as the middle…
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Most people will have heard of the Nuremberg Trials, but few have heard of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) or the Tokyo War Crimes Trial. The Nuremberg trials are often criticized because of the low number of convictions of Nazi War criminals. The conviction rate of the International Military Tribunal for…
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y When I write about Holocaust victims, I always try to write it from their point of view. I put myself in their shoes, so to speak, But I find it increasingly difficult to do; it physically affects me. In the case of the Polak family, I decided to just stick with the raw data…
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This grave is of 1 Lt Alvin X Zeidenfeld on Plot O Row 22 Grave 17. Netherlands American Cemetery.Margraten, Netherlands. He was one of the 8301 soldiers buried there. A few years ago, we were allowed to scatter our Father’s ashes on this hallowed soil. Lt Alvin X Zeidenfeld was a First Lieutenant with the…
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Rywka Lipszyc was a young Jewish girl who wrote a poignant diary during her time in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland during World War II. Her diary provides a personal and intimate glimpse into the life and thoughts of a teenager living under the extreme conditions of Nazi persecution. In I945, Rywka’s diary was found…
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A few years ago, I was asked to give a speech at my eldest son’s high school graduation as a representative of the Parents’ Council. I ended the speech with a quote from Margot Frank. “Times change, people change, thoughts about good and evil change, about true and false. But what always remains fast and…
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The Doctors’ Trial, officially known as United States of America v. Karl Brandt, et al., was the first of 12 subsequent Nuremberg Trials held after World War II. These trials were conducted to bring Nazi war criminals to justice for their roles in the Holocaust and other war crimes. The Doctors’ Trial specifically focused on…
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I am always in awe of the brave men and women who risked their lives to save the lives of strangers—the Unsung Heroes of World War II. Kees Zwaans was such a hero. Kees Zwaans was a notable figure in the Dutch resistance during World War II. The Dutch resistance was a diverse movement that…
History of Sorts 