Articles
Never Again
This page offers a collection of deeply personal and historical resources, including reflections from second-generation survivors whose parents rebuilt their lives in the United States, and insightful information about Chevra Kadisha and Jewish burial traditions. These stories and resources honor our past, preserve our heritage, and connect us to the resilience of our community.
A Hidden Child’s Story
by Menahem Lowy
The true story of a young boy's desperate fight for survival during the Holocaust. Separated from his family and forced into hiding, Menahem Lowy's incredible journey takes him through Nazi-occupied Belgium, where one wrong move could mean capture and certain death. With the help of a Belgian friend who risks everything to protect him.
The Green Mumu
by Ruth Chevion
A mother recounts her extraordinary experiences during World War II. As she reads a book about Stalingrad, she's compelled to share her own story of survival and cunning, revealing a side of herself that's both surprising and inspiring. A daughter listens in awe, and discovers the remarkable strength and resilience of her mother.
I Acknowledge
by Ruth Chevion
As the child of a Holocaust survivor, Ruth Chevion shares a personal journey of grappling with forgiveness and forgetting, and finds a sense of closure through Germany's reparations program, discovering a new side of the country and its people.
A Thank You Note
by Ruth Chevion
A powerful and personal collection of stories from the child of Holocaust survivors, Ruth Chevion highlights the bravery and kindness of anonymous heroes who risked everything to help Jews during World War II. From a stranger who saved the her mother on a train to a Polish couple who kept silent to protect those in hiding, these stories of resistance and love are a testament to the human spirit.
A Holocaust Survival Story
by Ruth Chevion
Two brothers in Nazi-occupied Poland devise a daring plan to save their father, using a secret kayak meeting to discuss their escape strategy. They use courage and luck to survive and ultimately escape to Israel.
In the Ghetto
by Ruth Chevion
A poignant exploration of a family's experience during the Holocaust, focusing on a 24-hour period in 1943 when the author's uncle escaped the Tarnow ghetto, and the emotional debate that ensued about identity, community, and survival.
Honoring D-Day
by Ruth Chevion
A personal connection to D-Day: the author's mother, in hiding in Poland, received the news of the Allies landing on her birthday, June 6, 1944, from her brave Polish rescuer, Alicia Moskalska.
Escape from the Tarnow Ghetto
by Ruth Chevion
An account of Ruth's uncle Alex's daring escape from the ghetto in 1943, where he had to think and act like a Pole to survive. Alex mastered the art of blending in, suppressing his Jewish identity and emotions to avoid detection. A testament to his resourcefulness and determination, Alex's story is a powerful tribute to the human spirit.
Alias Jan Bogusz, Part 1
by Ruth Chevion
A chance encounter reunites the Ruth's father, Janek, with a man from his past, sparking memories of his bravery and cunning in the Polish resistance during World War II.
How Shabbat Candles Saved my Family during the Holocaust
by Ruth Chevion
A powerful story of faith and resilience during the Holocaust, as Miriam insists on lighting Shabbat candles despite the danger, and her bravery ultimately helps her family escape detection and survive.
The German Solider and the Rose Garden
by Ruth Chevion
A mother finds herself separated from her family. A pivotal night in a rose garden had a profound impact on her life, shaping her journey and survival.
A Love Story
by Ruth Chevion
A heartwarming and humorous account of a romance that blossomed between the Ruth's parents in 1939, just before the war. The story takes a poignant turn as when there is a chance encounter between the two during the war, and the reasons behind their brief separation. A big, ugly fur coat plays a surprising role in the tale, but there might be more to the story than meets the eye.
He Came to Her in a Vision
by Ruth Chevion
The remarkable tale of how Ruth’s mother received a warning from an unexpected source, which ultimately saved her from danger. This account explores the idea of a sixth sense and the power of love.
The Old Man and the Blessing
by Ruth Chevion
Herta, despite living in a war-torn ghetto, never went hungry thanks to a blessing from an old man. She shares what little food she has with others, creating a sense of hope and connection in a desperate time.
Thelma and Louise
by Ruth Chevion
This story tells the tale of how Herta and six other family members escaped from the Lvov ghetto with the help of two brave women, Fela and Ala, who risked their lives to provide them with false identities and Nazi-issue ID papers.
My mother prayed to the Virgin Mary
by Ruth Chevion
This story is a personal account of a woman's experience during World War II, where she faked an identity to escape the Lvov ghetto. Her journey is marked by intense moments of danger and resilience. The story explores the long-lasting impact of her experiences.
Escape to the Tatra Mountains
by Ruth Chevion
This story continues the account of a woman's experience during World War II, where she assumed a new identity to escape the Lvov ghetto. After a narrow escape from the Gestapo, she must use her wits to uncover her employer's true intentions, and then hides in the Tatra mountains with the help of a network of people.
Ossies Bracelet
by Ruth Chevion
This story tells of a poignant moment between a young woman and her brother Ossie during WWII, when he gives her a bracelet he found on the street, a small act of kindness amidst grim circumstances.
June 6 - D-Day
by Ruth Chevion
This story recounts Ruth's mother's experience on D-Day, June 6th, 1944, which was also her birthday. She received the news of the Allies landing in Normandy from a friend, and the reflections on the significance of this day and the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers.
The Post Office
by Ruth Chevion
This story highlights the lengths people went to in their fight for survival during the war. It details a harrowing escape from a post office when four Gestapo agents were sent to track her down, emphasizing the meticulous planning and desperation that characterized efforts to resist oppression.
Aunt Fela sings Olyn Pripechick
by Ruth Chevion
Fela, a Polish-Jewish woman who had a comfortable life before the war, used her song "Olyn Pripechick" during the Holocaust to comfort children in hiding. The song became a powerful tool for resilience and tradition among those she was protecting.
The Bounty Hunter
by Ruth Chevion
A young woman recounts a harrowing experience of being almost caught by the Gestapo in Krakow, but is rescued by a bounty hunter who lets her go without harming her. As she struggles to come to terms with the encounter, she reflects on the complexities of her mother's past and the motivations that led to this pivotal moment.
I Will Take Her
by Ruth Chevion
As war breaks out in Europe, two women form an unlikely bond, hiding a mother from a bounty hunter and risking their own lives to protect her. Years later, they will go on to face new challenges and reunite with her, leading them to be recognized for their bravery by the Righteous Among the Nations program.
Quick Thinking
by Ruth Chevion
For 18 months in hiding, one woman found an extraordinary way to survive: by adopting a different identity and living in a nearby apartment. Her story takes her from Krakow to America, where she becomes embroiled in a dramatic and secretive life of deception, danger, and ultimately, discovery.
A Recipe from Wartime
by Ruth Chevion
In this story, a young woman reflects on her mother's wartime notebook, filled with recipes for elaborate desserts. She describes how the recipe becomes her mother's favorite and a special one that she used to make for company in America, highlighting the nostalgia and optimism that it represents.
Herta's Bag
by Ruth Chevion
When liberation day arrives, my mother faces a bewildering scene: people wandering around in daylight, but she knows to expect more. But it's Pelek Fessel who greets her warmly with an offer of help - and I find myself wondering what secrets his bag might hold.
Visit to Roth's Hill
by Ruth Chevion
My mother shares with me the story of her grandfather Mechel Roth, who played a secret role in hiding Jewish families during WWII. Through his stories, I discover the life on Roth's Hill and the kindness of Polish villagers that helped them survive.
Pim the Brave
by Ruth Chevion
After the Warsaw Uprising, my aunt Chava and grandmother Miriam flee Tarnow in search of their families. With little money or food, they're forced to rely on their resourcefulness - including Pim, their loyal dachshund.
A Silver Cup and a Hooked Rug
by Ruth Chevion
When my family fled to Tarnow, Poland, one of the Nazis' first decrees was to seize all Jewish silver objects. My grandfather's beautiful silver candelabra and other treasured items were confiscated. A Polish man takes advantage of their situation and hides their belongings for safekeeping.
Rosie Orbach
by Ruth Chevion
Rosie Orbach defied Nazi rule with kindness and skill, hiding from persecution while keeping her community alive through her extraordinary resourcefulness.
Midnight Ride to Deliver Coal
by Ruth Chevion
Grandfather Elchanan Fessel's life was forever changed when Nazi soldiers stormed through Tarnow, Poland, on September 8, 1939, forcing him to flee his home with his family. Despite the danger surrounding them, he remained committed to supporting the Jewish community and ensuring the safety of those who needed it most.
The Tarnow Station Bombing
by Ruth Chevion
In a shocking turn of events, Elchanan Fessel's life is forever changed when his son Pelek gets caught in a Nazi trap by mistake. The consequences are devastating: the family must flee and navigate a treacherous new world.
Times Were Changing
by Ruth Chevion
Two brothers reflect on a traumatic event from World War II: being wrongly accused and imprisoned for spying for Germany.
How My Father Rescued His Sister from Deportation to Auschwitz
by Ruth Chevion
When Elchanan Fessel discovers his younger sister Chava, who was caught in an Aktion during the war, he embarks on a desperate rescue mission to save her from certain death, but it's just one small part of a larger web of survival and strategy.
I Was Apathetic, She Said
by Ruth Chevion
Chava recounts her experience during the ghetto selection with humor and insight, revealing the ways in which trauma can shape individuals and families. Her story offers a powerful commentary on survival, resilience, and hope in the face of unimaginable horror.
My Uncle Norbert's Story
by Ken Cohn
In an excerpt from his memoir, Norbert Friedman recounts his experiences in concentration camps during the war. He describes how he and others found hope and dignity amidst the suffering. Friedman shares moments of kindness and generosity from strangers, which ultimately led to the survival of those he was with.
Your Local Chevra Kadisha
Hoping for the Best, Planning for the Worst
by Temple Israel
The Jewish community can now say goodbye to loved ones with confidence, thanks to these three local funeral homes that meet our criteria for performing tahara services without extra fees.
What is Tahara?
by Ruth Chevion & Jeff Klein
Lays out the technical process of Tahara.
Chevra Kadisha of Central New Hampshire
by Ruth Chevion & Jeff Klein
The Chevra Kadisha groups who provide tahara services for funerals and memorializations. From the coast to Nashua, Bethlehem, and beyond, these volunteer groups are dedicated to performing their sacred tasks without recognition or thanks.