German Mother, Jewish Son

HOME
Spirituality
Spiritual Odysseys
German Mother, Jewish Son

German Mother, Jewish Son

One German mother's extraordinary response to the Holocaust.

by Chana (Jenny) Weisberg

Submit Comment

Published: February 14, 2009
Hear related audio on this topic.

Like this article? Help us create more. Aish.com exists
only through the support of our readers.

Visitor Comments: 34

(33) Saul Pillai, February 20, 2012 3:52 AM

wow !!!

Truly touching... especially the last part of "giving back a few precious"... Thank you for sharing... I wish you and your family peace...

(32) Susan Gammon, February 22, 2009 10:22 AM

Very Touching!

You are making a difference in our world! Your path in life proves that very different people can live in harmony, & it also proves that just one person can achieve lasting good changes. I am very touched by your love of family & humanity.

(31) Heidi, February 21, 2009 7:17 PM

Grace,

I think this is a wonderful story of the Grace of God in our lives, despite the brokenness of our world. Thank you for telling this story...we need more like it in a world torn by war and terror and hatred. Love really does cover a multitude of wrongs.

(30) Peter, February 20, 2009 3:51 PM

An antidote to bigotry

Omannette, you have told a wonderfully moving story of growing up in the aftermath of horror - an odyssey of your travels across time and within different cultures and religions. Through your love for your family, and guided by a deep moral consciousness from your earliest days, you have made your way along ancient footpaths of the mind and heart. You have shown that humankind, in spite of many collective hatreds and repeated atrocities, is one.

(29) Omannette, February 20, 2009 9:34 AM

response to Max

Max,I understand your fear and perplexity and respect it.However, I think my life story proves that intermarriage can also lead to something very different, something positive for every one involved rather than just to the Final Solution of the 21st century, an expression that sends shivers down my spine, and not just mine.

(28) Max, February 19, 2009 10:07 PM

Intermarriage is a Tragedy

I am a bit preplexed. Intermarriage is the Final Solution of 21st century. Your movie ignores the terrible tragedy that intermarriage is. All sincere converts are wonderful, regardless if their biological fathers are Jewish or not. 2nd generation conversion in no way minimizes horrible tragedy of intermarriage.

(27) camille, February 19, 2009 9:09 AM

the only word that went through my mind is beautiful and then i saw that some one els read my mind! MAMASH BEAUTIFUL!! thank you for giving some beautiful jewish souls back!! and thank u for being you!

(26) Anonymous, February 18, 2009 7:32 PM

beautiful

beautiful

(25) Michelle, February 18, 2009 11:41 AM

Your Jewish

Mike, your Jewish If your mother is Jewish, then your Jewish. Contact your local Orthodox Rabbi. Good Luck

(24) Gila, February 18, 2009 10:30 AM

Wonderful shabbats

Having been a guest at the Weisbergs' Friday night shabbat meals on various occasions, both before and after I converted to Judaism, they are truly wonderful occasions and I feel very blessed to have experienced the warmth of their Jewish home. My personal story is I am a descendant of Sephardic Jews who came to England, and my Jewish ancestor assimilated. Six generations later I came back and converted to Judaism, and I am now happily married to a Jewish rabbi in Jerusalem. Fortunately my English mother, a very active lady in her 70s, although she is a staunch Christian who would far rather I had stayed in that faith, has accepted the situation and she made a real hit at our wedding. We visited her in England a few months after we married and hope she will come and visit us this year after Pesach.

(23) Jimbo, February 18, 2009 5:12 AM

Lucky to know you

Josh, Jenny -- beautiful film, really.

(22) Miriam, February 17, 2009 1:21 PM

May all mothers be blessed by your goodness

There are mothers who freak out when their children want to live as observant Jews. Let them learn from your beautiful and selfless act of motherhood. This video should be required for all the parents who are uncomfortable with their children's choice to live as traditional Jews.

(21) Jeannette Zipes, February 17, 2009 10:39 AM

We can all learn from each other

It shows what love can do and baniish away ignorance.

(20) Susan, February 17, 2009 10:00 AM

Thank you

Thank you very much for sharing your heartwarming story with the world. You are beautiful. Your love for your family is precious and to be savored.

(19) Mike, February 17, 2009 9:19 AM

Very Heart Warming

I am the offspring of a American born man of German heritage and an American born woman who is Jewish and the whole history of her family is. I never knew what to follow and often lean towards Judaism and this makes me even more so. I know first hand what good people my parents are and that nationality does not make someone good or evil but other factors. This is such a wonderful video and touching story.

Yehudis, February 22, 2012 5:52 PM

Mike, you are Jewish, just as much as I am, even though I am observant and have 2 Jewish parents.

(18) Diana, February 16, 2009 11:29 AM

What to do about evil.

Her friend asks what she can do about the evil that happened. I think the first thing is keeping your eyes and your mind open. Recognize evil when you see it and acknowledge it exists. Then, make a commitment in your own life to be on the side of good. If you do these things, then any other actions you can/need to do will become clear with the help of G-d.

(17) Leonie Lachmish, February 16, 2009 9:30 AM

touching and sensitively-produced

What an articulate lady.

(16) Anonymous, February 16, 2009 3:47 AM

Thank you. How wonderful to be able to grow beyond what was to what is with a beautiful family. I am Jewish, grew up in a Bronx Jewish neighborhood, with the belief that there was no such thing as a good German. What an illumination to discover that is not necessarily so, that goodness and evil are NOT national traits, and that perhaps the day will come when we shall expunge evil entirely from human affairs.

(15) Elana, February 16, 2009 12:34 AM

BEAUTIFUL

Thank you for sharing this with us. It is beautiful! I love your videos Jenny, they always bring tears to my eyes. Yasher Koach!

(14) peggy kight, February 15, 2009 10:55 PM

This is such an inspiring story.i was so touched by this mother's love for her son.such a sweet understanding lady.and the son's love for his mother was equally the same.the whole family looked so happy!i love this .May the good God of heaven bless you all!

(13) Sarah Rut, February 15, 2009 10:29 PM

Giving Back

I found this story amazing. This woman must be commended for her open mind and heart. I admire her ability to have such a deep and close relationship to her son, daughter in law, and grand children. She has truly given back to the Jewish people.

(12) Ruby G., February 15, 2009 9:03 PM

Wow!

BS"D Amazing and touching especially the last line about giving back some of the souls taken away. Thank you.

(11) Annette, February 15, 2009 7:16 PM

absolutely special

what a moving way to acceptance, I think if her son would have remained secular she would absolutely love him anyway, but in becoming an observant Jew now they both have a 'another' window of opportunity to grow even closer which they would not have had, my non-jewish stepmother spends every Shabbas with me, and if we get chatting she reminds me of 'dvar Torah' or 'parhsa' before she leaves! It does draw us closer in love, in other cases it tears us apart in fears as with others members of the family.

(10) Jane, February 15, 2009 3:58 PM

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Thank you! This ia an awesome story of grace and love! Beautiful!

(9) sheva, February 15, 2009 2:44 PM

Beautiful simply beautiful!

a lovely story, well told, simply and touching...and yes..where is the father in this story?

(8) Leah, February 15, 2009 1:16 PM

very, very, special

I am working on a project in connection with the holocaust right now and find this story very special

(7) ruth housman, February 15, 2009 11:52 AM

stories from our lives

This is a beautiful story about a growing family and it's not just about religion but about spirituality and LOVE itself. Love is a flower, and when tended, it sprouts and grows very very tall.

(6) Steve Goldstein, February 15, 2009 11:45 AM

Aish.com does it again!

how do you consistently come up with great content, week after week? may G-d bless you all !

(5) adael Madrigal, February 15, 2009 10:53 AM

Amaing!

I love it..... Wonderful video... When you will make a video about Anusims? Marranos? Please let me know I will happy to help you with that.. Shalom

(4) Anonymous, February 15, 2009 10:33 AM

This is a very meaningful, beautiful piece.

Thank you for providing this work.

(3) Natalie, February 15, 2009 9:33 AM

amazing!

What a wonderful amazing story!

(2) Nechama, February 15, 2009 9:08 AM

Chana you make beautiful movies!

I love all of your movies and this one touched me a lot, seeing similarity in my situation. Keep up the great work!

(1) ross, February 15, 2009 8:08 AM

Very nice, but...

It would be very interesting to hear the father's story. Would he be willing to be give an interview, too?

See All Comments

stub

About the Author

Chana (Jenny) Weisberg

Chana Jenny Weisberg is the author of One Baby Step at a Time: 7 Secrets of Jewish Motherhood (Urim) as well as the creator of the popular Jewish Mom Video Series that can be viewed on her website www.JewishMom.com.

German Mother, Jewish Son

Visitor Comments: 34

(33) Saul Pillai, February 20, 2012 3:52 AM

(32) Susan Gammon, February 22, 2009 10:22 AM

(31) Heidi, February 21, 2009 7:17 PM

(30) Peter, February 20, 2009 3:51 PM

(29) Omannette, February 20, 2009 9:34 AM

(28) Max, February 19, 2009 10:07 PM

(27) camille, February 19, 2009 9:09 AM

(26) Anonymous, February 18, 2009 7:32 PM

(25) Michelle, February 18, 2009 11:41 AM

(24) Gila, February 18, 2009 10:30 AM

(23) Jimbo, February 18, 2009 5:12 AM

(22) Miriam, February 17, 2009 1:21 PM

(21) Jeannette Zipes, February 17, 2009 10:39 AM

(20) Susan, February 17, 2009 10:00 AM

(19) Mike, February 17, 2009 9:19 AM

Yehudis, February 22, 2012 5:52 PM

(18) Diana, February 16, 2009 11:29 AM

(17) Leonie Lachmish, February 16, 2009 9:30 AM

(16) Anonymous, February 16, 2009 3:47 AM

(15) Elana, February 16, 2009 12:34 AM

(14) peggy kight, February 15, 2009 10:55 PM

(13) Sarah Rut, February 15, 2009 10:29 PM

(12) Ruby G., February 15, 2009 9:03 PM

(11) Annette, February 15, 2009 7:16 PM

(10) Jane, February 15, 2009 3:58 PM

(9) sheva, February 15, 2009 2:44 PM

(8) Leah, February 15, 2009 1:16 PM

(7) ruth housman, February 15, 2009 11:52 AM

(6) Steve Goldstein, February 15, 2009 11:45 AM

(5) adael Madrigal, February 15, 2009 10:53 AM

(4) Anonymous, February 15, 2009 10:33 AM

(3) Natalie, February 15, 2009 9:33 AM

(2) Nechama, February 15, 2009 9:08 AM

(1) ross, February 15, 2009 8:08 AM

Submit Your Comment:

About the Author

Chana (Jenny) Weisberg

Related Articles:

Most Popular In:

1.Mayim Bialik: Mikvah Connoisseur

2.Shavuot: Maintaining the Inspiration

3.Never Give Up

4.How To Get Your Prayers Answered

1.The Day that Shook the World

2.The Facebook Fiasco

3.ABCs of Shavuot

4.Crash Course in Shavuot

Sponsors

Upcoming Holiday

Aish.com Features

More Articles by Chana (Jenny) Weisberg:

LANGUAGES:

AFFILIATES:

SECTIONS:

EMAIL LISTS:

ABOUT:

FOLLOW US: