I was born in Ostend, Belgium in 1930, which means I wasn't born yesterday. I was a regular Jewish boy who liked to run around and get into mischief. I had a normal childhood until age 9 – that's when the war started. "Normal" included being chased by non-Jewish boys when I left school, shouting "dirty Jew" with hate in their eyes. They would throw my cap on the ground, grab my book bag and kick and punch me. Three kids once attacked me, one with a knife in hand. Luckily, I had learned how to fight from my older brother so I was able to defend myself.
During the war I was hidden in numerous places in order to survive. It started off with an attic of a cafe in Antwerp, across the street from Gestapo headquarters. They used the Belgian police to help them round up Jews: babies, children my age, adults and even the elderly. I was hidden there with my parents and siblings. All day long I had to remain quiet. I couldn't look out the window. I couldn't play. Just sit in the dark, bored and scared.
Eventually my brother found a better hiding place for me on a farm. The farmer took me in because he only had daughters and wanted someone else who could help work on the farm.
Arye Gad Berenbaum on the farm where he hid with the daughters of the farmer
While so many other people perished, including most of my relatives, I was fortunate to have been reunited with my parents after the war. We returned to Antwerp and Brussels and went on with our lives. I met my wife, also a survivor. We married, raised a family and worked together for 50 years in a family business. We always wanted to come to Israel but continued working. Finally, in 1994, my wife came to live in Israel with my 90+ year old mother and I commuted until I finally retired and joined them, our dream come true.
Until recently, I was fully independent; I even drove my own car, a jeep in which I loved taking my children and grandchildren for trips "off the road". But lately I've been feeling my age. I don't see or hear as well, and I can't move as fast as I used to, so I stopped driving. But as a survivor, I didn't let that stop me. I began walking more and doing my shopping closer to home. I love the Machene Yehuda market, the shuk; it reminds me of the many markets where I sold socks.
I get so much joy from my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and love when they visit. It's amazing how my Hebrew has improved even at my age by speaking with them. They are my "Jewish revenge"; the Nazis wanted to kill me but God blessed us with generations living in Israel.
I also like going to shul. After prayers I share a few words with the other gentleman. They constantly seem to be getting younger and younger and I seem to be getting older and older. I believe I'm one of the oldest in the minyan now.
And now, because of the coronavirus, all these simple pleasures must be curtailed. It is dangerous for me to go to shul. My grandchildren and great grandchildren can no longer visit. Machane Yehuda has been shut down because of the pandemic. I must adapt to these changes as well.
When I think about all the current quarantine rules I can't help but compare them to what I had to live through in hiding during the war. I was hiding in order to save my life. The quarantine rules are also meant to save lives. These rules may seem extreme now. It is a big change for many people, a loss of freedom, but they are nothing compared to what we endured when we went into hiding during WWII.
My current quarantine is paradise compared to what I lived through during the war.
The fear of being found out, or ratted on. The utter boredom because we couldn't move or talk all day. One day, two days. One week, two weeks. One month, two months…I always wondered to myself, when will I be able to go outside and get a bit of fresh air without fear of being caught by the Gestapo?
My current quarantine is paradise compared to what I lived through during the war. I can walk around my house which is located in Jerusalem. In those days I never dreamed that I would survive, let alone be living in the holy city of Jerusalem. I have food to eat with my wife and sunlight entering our windows. I have learned how to use WhatsApp and was even able to watch as my granddaughter did her cooking for Shabbat. I prefer to count my blessings rather than complain.
What worries me is that people don't take the rules of the health ministry seriously enough. Some people ignore them. They don't realize that these are life and death matters. The disease is spreading. We don't want the situation here to be like in other countries around the world.
The first person who died here in Israel from the virus was an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. Let us honor his memory by heeding the rules of the ministry of health. I beg you. This is the least we can do to save lives. We are living in unusual times and we are all in this together. A bit of inconvenience now will save lives and stop this situation quicker.
I have given up spending time with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren in order to comply with health regulations. I wish everyone would follow those rules. Please don't hang out with friends at the beach. Don't go to the mall. Don't invite all your friends over for a party. Just stay at home and enjoy your immediate family. And don't forget to call your grandparents! Doing all those things might just save their life. AM YISRAEL CHAI!
(22) Melinda (Miriam) Nichols, November 28, 2020 9:46 PM
Todah Rabbah, Aryeh, for sharing your lived experience of survival in the worst of circumstances. Did your precious older brother (your self-defense instructor during childhood) survive the Holocaust? Your name, Aryeh, translated to mean lion, could not be more fitting. And your wisdom is profound for our current times of keeping the vital quarantine measures, worldwide! Mazal Tov, dear Rakel, for assisting your father-in-law in sharing his history and connecting it with our current times of necessary precaution -- albeit against a virus and not a government-sanctioned Nazi regime and population steeped in anti-Semetic propaganda. I was once a classmate of yours (and Rachel Abrams (nee), Steve Katz, Roger Braverman, Paul and Tom O'Neil, etc.) at Herzl School in Los Angeles (1978-1979), in Malka Shvadron's Hebrew class and Gil Graff's Talmud lessons. (I believe Malka resides in Israel, too. I live in the Northern CA Bay Area.)
(21) Rachel, April 21, 2020 9:52 PM
You're Inspiring!
Not only do you have an inspiring story of how you survived, but I love it that you're still improving your Hebrew at your age and you're using WhatsApp! I've tried to figure out WhatsApp and it eludes me. When I read, I sometimes have to read it over again out loud because my concentration was waning. But most of all, you've given me increased understanding of what you and others endured while hiding. Blessings to you & your entire family!
(20) Betty Smith, April 2, 2020 5:07 PM
Thank you Leib!i really enjoyed reading you!
I have so enjoyed reading this !please keep safe and keep well Love Ivor and Betty Smith
(19) Mary Voss, March 31, 2020 3:52 PM
Thank you SO much for sharing your story. That time in history was so horrible and heart breaking. Those of us that didn’t experience it can never imagine. I am sorry for your many losses. Your comparison puts our quarantine “problems” in perspective.
(18) Dr H A Fabian, March 31, 2020 2:28 PM
What a wonderful message.
I just missed the horrors of the Holocaust because Prussian army friends of my father advised to leave. So we did in 1933 from Tilsit. But I’ve always had that close feeling to Survivors and respect and admire them so much.
(17) Cheryl D Vandezande, March 31, 2020 6:10 AM
God give you His Strength
This TOO YOU will survive!
(16) Fruma, March 31, 2020 12:10 AM
Thank you for sharing your experience then and now
We have it very easy compared to those who were in the war...
(15) Lori Miller, March 30, 2020 9:55 PM
Moved by this story
I found this beautiful story very moving. The author of this honest story is a holocaust survivor, now living indoors while quarantined in Jerusalem during the present pandemic. He compares this modern day situation very effectively to his experiences as a young boy while living in hiding with his family across the street from Gestapo headquarters.
(14) Pamela V Fahnestock, March 30, 2020 7:27 PM
THANK YOU SIR
Thank you for sharing your life journey with us all. G-d bless and keep you healthy through this virus. May Hashem eradicate this virus from the earth with the power of His Holy Spirit.
(13) Lilian lilliesköld, March 29, 2020 5:09 PM
Shalom ! Thanks for interesting thougths. Word of wisdom.... I like them. You can compare with the quarantine of war and much more. I read thankfulness and joy for the life! God bless you and your family! L L, Sweden
(12) Alex, March 29, 2020 4:16 PM
What a beautiful story. Toda Rabba. I am also a Holocaust Survivor of Auschwitz, Birkenau and The Jaworzno concentratin camps.
A beautiful inspiring story.
Thank You.
Alex.
(11) Alex., March 28, 2020 3:32 AM
I am not Jewish but what happened to Jewish people during WW2 breaks my heart. I have read may biographies of survivors, it always fills me with sadness and anger. May the millions who lost their lives Rest In Peace.
(10) Marsha Coleman, March 27, 2020 2:18 AM
I am so glad you survived!
You and everyone who went through the Holocaust are my personal heroes. I love the Jewish people and often wonder why G-d allowed this to happen to us. I have asked so many people and no one has ever given me a satisfying answer. I was brought up religious and my Mom always said to have faith. But, how can you trust a G-d who allowed people to not only be murdered, but tortured in the worst ways possible. And, then most of those people got away and lived happy lives! I hope this is not insulting to you. I wish I had unfaltering faith, but I don’t and now the world is turning against us again. I am so proud to be a Jew, but I wish I knew the answers to some of my questions. Wishing you a very long life and happy Pesach!
Anonymous, March 29, 2020 10:46 AM
questions
Marsha dearest. Not every question has an answer. We fly trusting the pilot to get us to our destination through turbulence. We ride the bus trusting the driver to get us through pot-holes, tunnels and curves. We know nothing about the mechanics of the plane or bus but we trust.
See the miracles around you and you will see God. Our people (my parents) got up, dusted the horror of the Holocaust off them and rebuilt their lives, miracle of miracles. The State of Israel is flourishing in so many aspects! We are seeing prophesies coming into reality! Don't concentrate on the questions. Concentrate n the miracles, the day to day miracles. We are so blessed in so many ways. God loves us and shows it to us in so many ways. Concentrate on these blessing. Be well. Hashem loves you.
(9) Abe Lobel, March 26, 2020 8:06 PM
I salute to you you are a hero. Let all of use learn from you.
Be well עד 120
(8) Anonymous, March 26, 2020 6:20 PM
Perspective
Thank you for surviving and getting revenge with your generations of Jews. You have shared an incredible perspectibe for people feeling they are suffering too much being quarantined. May you be well and sharing time again with your lovely family.
(7) מרים דמבי, March 26, 2020 6:16 PM
No you are not in quarantine
Mr. Berenbaum,
With your wise perspective and ability to express how much we have to be grateful for even while in isolation -- you have transcended it. See how far and wide your words have gone, way beyond the confines of your Jerusalem home.
Keep well and take care -- thank you!
(6) Joan Junger, March 26, 2020 4:44 PM
War and war
Chizuk and strength. You and your wife Sound like very special people. Wishing you both continued good health. I hope I have the pleasure to meet you someday.
(5) Hanne, March 26, 2020 4:38 PM
I too am a holocaust survivor. And I am happy that my family is well and free I count my blessings. We will get through this and will be stronger for it. Everyone stay well stay well
(4) Faye Mudge, March 26, 2020 4:13 PM
Mrs Mudge
Thank you for this story. I'm amazed at how much this went through and his positive influence.
(3) Deena, March 26, 2020 3:58 PM
Very beautiful article ???
(2) Anonymous, March 26, 2020 2:59 PM
Dzie Gezunt aun a Danke
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think of your generation often as I have to stay home. I am grateful for what I have, even though I worry. I am also grateful for the technology we have to be connected, to see my grandchild grow and learn to stand, for my daughter and her husband's joy in being parents.
Prayers to you and your family.
(1) Anonymous, March 26, 2020 10:07 AM
Salute to you Sir...you will never be abandoned...God is with you. And your loving family....those dark days will never come back soecially to the survivors...salute to non survivors too...my love and prayers for you and your loving family...