It was the new month of Sivan, 5704, spring 1944. Ida, her father, mother, brothers, and sisters were ordered to the train station with the rest of the Jewish community of their Czechoslovakian town. Jews had lived there for generations, but their history was all coming to an abrupt end with a single train ride to Auschwitz.
The cattle cars were sealed. More than 80 people were squeezed into a single wagon. Ida and her family managed to stay together, and they comforted each other amidst the choking heat, filth, and fear of the unknown. "Papa, where are they taking us?" Ida asked.
"My children, once there was an altar on Mount Moriah in the holy city of Jerusalem. God commanded a father to take his only, beloved son and sacrifice him upon that altar, in order to test his faith in God. As the father was about to fulfill God's command and lifted the knife, the Lord God spoke to Abraham and said, ‘Lay not thy hand upon the lad.'
A knife held by man, must be stopped by man.
"Today, my children, there is another huge altar, not on a sacred mountain but in a profane valley of death. There, man is testing his own inhumanity toward his fellow man. The children of Abraham are again a burnt offering, this time by the command of men. But man, unlike God, will not stop the knife. To the contrary, he will sharpen it and fan the altar flames so that they may totally consume their sacrifice. A man-made fire, a knife held by man, must be stopped by man, by a human voice, a human hand. My children, be human in this inhuman valley of death. May the merit of our Father Abraham protect you, for whoever saves one Jewish soul, it is as if he saves an entire universe."
Pretty White Teeth
On the eve of the holiday of Shavuot, Ida and her family arrived in Auschwitz. The skies above Auschwitz were red. Ida's father spoke as if to himself: "On this day, millenniums ago, God came down to man in fire and smoke and gave his commandments. Today, man is commanding in fire and smoke, 'Thou shalt kill!'"
The Auschwitz platform separated Ida forever from her father, mother, young sisters, and brothers. Ida and her older married sister passed the selection and were put to work for the German civilian population and the Reich's war machine. Ida sorted the clothes of the gassed, folded them neatly, and placed them in symmetrical piles according to size and quality, ready for shipment to Germany to be used by the German people.
One day, as Ida was sorting the clothes, an SS officer walked over to her and said: "Why do you smile, Jewish pig?" Before Ida had a chance to respond, she saw a black boot flying into her face, felt a piercing pain and the gush of blood, and looked down to behold her front teeth on the floor in a puddle of blood. "Pretty white teeth look better on the floor than in a filthy Jewish mouth," said the SS officer. He commanded Ida to wipe the blood off the boot that knocked out her teeth and cheerfully walked away, humming a tune.
Ida quickly assessed her condition. She realized that a gaping hole in her mouth was a sight that an SS officer at a selection would not cherish. She walked over to the pile where thousands of dental bridges were thrown and hastily selected one. She placed it in her swollen mouth and returned to her assigned spot.
Under the Bed
That night in the barracks it was especially difficult to fall asleep. Heartbreaking screams were piercing the night, mingled with the wailing of children and mothers as they were torn away from each other. Slowly, the screams subsided and gave way to the usual deadly sounds of the Auschwitz night. Most of the girls in Ida's barracks fell asleep.
Then there was a noise under Ida's three-tiered bunk bed where 36 girls slept, 12 per bed, packed together like sardines. "All we need are rats, just to give them another reason to shoot us," someone said. "Shut up, I am tired," another voice complained. The noise persisted. "Ida, you are the brave one, go down and see what it is." All the other eleven girls had to turn so that Ida could move from the spot where she had wedged herself in.
Under the bed, in a corner, curled up like a frightened porcupine, was a little girl. She told them that when the children's Aktion began, she managed to run away and hide in the latrine among the piles of chlorine cans. When it became dark, she ran into the barracks and hid under the bed.
The girl's name was Estherke. She had big, blue frightened eyes, beautiful blond curls, and two deep dimples. Ida became instantly attached to the child and kept showing her off to all the others girls, exclaiming: "Doesn't she look like a little actress?" The blockhova told Ida that she must give up the child, otherwise she, her sister, and maybe all the girls in the barracks would pay with their lives for harboring a little criminal.
Ida stood there clutching the child. "I will never give her up," she said with determination. She walked over to the blockhova and asked to speak to her privately. "I know that your boyfriend is Jewish and assumed a false Aryan identity. Killing me, my sister, and others will not help. Other girls, and even men outside of this barracks, know it too. We will all keep quiet if you will help to save Estherke. During the day when we are at work, you must keep Estherke in your private room."
The blockhova agreed. Ida had won her first battle for Estherke's life.
Ida loved the child. All her thoughts focused on Estherke. To save that child became her obsession and purpose for living. Rumors began to circulate that Lager (camp) C in Ida's camp would be evacuated. Ida became frantic. She knew that Estherke would not pass the selection for transfer from one Lager to another. With the help of her older sister, whom Estherke called Grandma, and men from the nearby Lager, Ida worked out a plan.
She wrapped Estherke in a blanket and threw her over the electrified fence.
When the evacuation materialized, Ida wrapped Estherke in a blanket and threw her over the electrified fence into the waiting arms of a male inmate in the adjacent men's camp. Later that afternoon, a package flew once more over the fence into Ida's waiting arms. She got back her Estherke. Ida was now in Zigeunerlager (gypsy camp).
During that selection, however, Ida was separated from her sister, who, with a group of other girls, was taken away to an unknown destination. Again rumors spread in the camp that the eastern front was nearing and the entire camp was going to be evacuated. Ida began to plan once more how to save her little Estherke. On January 18, 1945, the camp was evacuated. Ida put Estherke into a knapsack that she had "organized" for this purpose. With Estherke on her back, she set out with the others on the dreadful death march.
The winds blew, the frost bit, the snow fell, and her stomach growled from hunger, but Ida marched on. At night she shared with Estherke whatever stale bread she had managed to conceal. She comforted the little girl, warmed her tiny frozen hands, and promised her that one day they would be free. After many days of marching and travel in open cattle cars, a few of the original group that began the death march on January 18, 1945, reached Bergen Belsen. Ida and her beloved Estherke were among them.
Reunion in Bergen Belsen
In Bergen Belsen, Ida found conditions even more difficult than in Auschwitz. With the evacuation of camps in the east, thousands of evacuated inmates were driven into Bergen Belsen. Absorbing all the evacuees was far beyond the camp's capacity. Water was scarce; a few crumbs of stale bread and inadequate toilet facilities made life almost impossible. Filth, lice, starvation, and epidemics took over. Ida managed to find a job, for which she was given a piece of bread and a warm drink that they insisted on calling coffee.
One day, as Ida was cleaning the latrines, she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She looked around, but saw no one she knew. A face covered with blotches and lice, a body covered with rags, was coming closer to her while calling her name. Ida stepped backward. "Ida, don't you recognize your own sister?"
Estherke was overjoyed. "Grandma" was back, the three of them were once more together, just like in Auschwitz. While Ida was out searching for food, Estherke and "Grandma" stayed together. But their happiness did not last long. "Grandma" succumbed to typhus. Estherke did not leave her side and tried to ease her suffering.
She pulled her out from under the pile of corpses and revived her.
One day, while Ida was trying to get some coffee for her dying sister, the squad that came daily to collect the dead took the sister away with the other corpses. Estherke protested, insisting that her "grandma" was still alive. She pleaded, but to no avail. Estherke followed the squad, and when "Grandma" was dumped on the big pile of corpses, Estherke managed to pull her out from under the corpses and did what she could to warm her body with her own.
When Ida returned with the coffee and discovered that Estherke and her sister had been taken away with the dead, she felt her knees giving way as if she would collapse, but her weakness did not last long. Ida was not one to give in to despair. She took the coffee and began to search for Estherke and her sister, and there, near a pile of corpses, she found them.
Ida wasted no time. She gave the coffee to Estherke to guard. After mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, massage, and a few drops of coffee on her sister's parched lips, Ida revived her. Thousands were dying, but with Ida's and Estherke's love, "Grandma" recovered. Their joy knew no limit.
Joy of Liberation
On April 15, 1945, Bergen Belsen was liberated by the British Army. The two sisters and Estherke made their way back home to Czechoslovakia, together with throngs of other refugees. They were all trying to go home, all hoping that perhaps other relatives had also survived and families could be reunited.
After finding a temporary shelter in Prague, the three set out in different directions to search for other surviving members of their families. Estherke traveled to Bratislava hoping that her father, mother, or some of her eight brothers and sisters had survived. Ida and her sister left with similar hopes for their family. The parting was painful for Ida. She and Estherke had not been separated since that fateful night in Auschwitz. The three agreed upon a time and place to meet no matter what the outcome of their search might be.
The two agreed-upon weeks passed. Ida and her sister returned to Prague as planned. But Estherke failed to return. They waited a few more days, but still there was no trace of her. Then Ida launched an intensive search. She traveled to Bratislava, but no one recalled seeing a child who matched Estherke's description. Ida then contacted all children's homes and refugee centers, but to no avail. Estherke had vanished without leaving behind a single trace or clue.
One day, she ran into her long-lost husband on the streets of Prague.
After months of search, Ida gave up. She met and married a young man, a survivor like herself. Her sister was fortunate too, for her husband had managed to survive the camps and one day they ran into each other on a street in Prague.
The sisters parted once more. Ida and her husband went to America. Her sister, her husband, and their newly born baby became part of the illegal immigration to Israel. They outmaneuvered the British blockade and finally reached the shores of Palestine.
Fainting in Tel Aviv
In the early 1950s, Ida traveled to the young state of Israel to visit her sister. One very hot day, Ida fainted on the street. Two young Israeli soldiers who happened to pass by picked her up from the pavement and took her in their jeep to the nearest hospital. The following day, the soldiers came in to see how their patient was doing. A friendship developed between Ida and the two soldiers, who continued to visit her daily.
As Ida was about to be discharged from the hospital, she asked the two young men how she could repay their kindness. The taller of the two, Yossi, told Ida that he was getting married in a few days. The biggest reward would be if she would come to his wedding.
"But I don't know anyone!" she protested.
"You know me, and I am a pretty important man at this wedding," Yossi said with his good-natured smile.
It was a beautiful dusk in Jerusalem. A gentle summer breeze scented with Jerusalem pine provided relief from the summer heat. The sun, like a huge orange, hung low above the Judean hills, which glowed in a beautiful pink-gray light. Ida was standing among the other guests hoping to find a familiar face.
"The bride is coming," someone near her said. Ida made her way to the front so she could see the bride whom Yossi had described so lovingly. The door opened, the bride walked in. It was none other than her own long-lost Estherke!
Under the bright stars shining above the eternal city and the Judean hills, Ida stepped forward and led her beloved Estherke to the bridal canopy.
There was a strange presence in the air. Ida was sure that her father was present at this very holy moment in Jerusalem. She could even see the smile on his face and hear his gentle voice: "Whoever saves a single soul, it is as if he saves an entire universe."
(44) David Sieff, July 17, 2019 9:14 PM
A beautifully written story,told with empathy,and from the heart.
According to the sages, there is no such thing as coincidence, so this must be another example of "bashert" - a pre-ordained sequence of events; there are recently several similar instances being revealed.
This beautiful story, very well written, extracted from Yaffah Eliach's book, is inspirational, and illustrates the underlying moral, that "He who saves a single soul, it is as if he saves an entire universe."
(43) Robert Walton, July 9, 2019 7:56 PM
G-d moves in strange and mysterious ways..........
Ida and Estherke were blessed with fortune by G-d's hand, no other explaination is possible in my heart.
(42) Reuven Frank, July 8, 2019 4:02 AM
"One who saves a single life...
It is as if an entire universe has been saved."
With apologies to those without a Yeshiva background:
When I came across this passage in the Talmud in Sanhedrin,
I was even more moved by the two explanations given.
It is a universe because you have not just saved this person.
You have saved them and all their descendants and all THEIR descendants and all of their...and so on
until the end of time.
The second explanation (and one I've spoken about) is that every person is unique.
As the Gemorra puts it, when Man makes a stamp, all the coins are the same.
When G-d makes a "mold" every person is one-of-a-kind.
Saving a person saves that uniqueness.
It saves the unique perspective that IS that soul.
No one should ever contemplate suicide. "Removing" a person (even yourself) from the world removes a neshama, a unique human being, fulfilling a unique purpose in G-d's world. Namely, being yourself.
The memory of the one who saved Estherke is guaranteed to live forever.
It will always be told and retold by Esther's descendants
until the end of time.
(41) H.E.Brown, July 7, 2019 12:17 PM
Amazing!
Amazing, amazing, amazing. Never ceases to amaze me how God works His will in our lives. Today as I look back on my 80 years on earth I see God's hand in it all. Trust Him to lead us.
(40) Tzvi, August 13, 2017 10:49 AM
This Story Never Gets Old
I own this book. I have read this story many times. It only gets more intense and amazing with each reading. Yaffa Eliach is an amazing writer and historian. I have used and cited this book for at least one research paper in college. May HaShem bless her always. Respectfully, Tzvi
(39) Frederica Steller, January 17, 2015 7:07 PM
man's inhumanity to man can only be stopped by man
I liked this article for it's humane truth! As we, the human race caused this inhumanity against other humans; we, the human race, can be the only ones to stop this madness.
(38) Laura, June 19, 2014 2:55 PM
Wow, what an incredible truth.
(37) Ellen Schwarz, July 22, 2013 10:24 PM
great book
Chasidic Tales of the Holocaust is one of the best books I ever read. Yaffa's own story is even more powerful than this one.
(36) Anonymous, July 22, 2013 8:23 AM
Reality beats fiction in case of the Jewish people ....
Am Israel Chai
(35) ruth housman, December 17, 2012 4:35 PM
Bridal Veils
This story made me weep. Yesterday I was at Porter Square Books in North Cambridge, led to the bookstore, as I know I am being led and I wondered why am I here, until I saw a book about the collection of Yiddish books, and knew this book was for me, as I was following a line of profound coincidence. I see the hand of God in this story. How could one, not? But beyond this I stopped at the cards, and kept looking at bridal cards, and said to myself, Ruth, you don't know anyone who is getting married. But one so attracted me, and it was the only one of its kind, I almost purchased it. So coming to this profound story, right after this happened, makes me cry out, Please world, do not punch holes in Wonder. God wrote this story. Can't you read, the writing, on the wall?
(34) Anonymous, July 30, 2012 10:02 PM
Just in case.
Dear Yaffa, Ever heard of this? Recently I found out about a camp in America that from1944-1945 held refugees [Fort Ontario Refugee Shelter, Oswego, NY, 1944-1945.] from Germany. They came by way of Italy. The refugees were house there for a whole year, just in case, before the war ended. They had camps for the Japanese. And they have camps today -just in case. Either for foreign nationals or in case of Martial Law put into effect.
(33) Amelia, August 21, 2011 5:28 AM
Heartbreaking
Such stories just shows the faithfulness of God when we trust in Him. Faith as a mustard seed. Joy really comes in the morning after all the sorrows.
(32) Anonymous, October 11, 2009 6:29 PM
question
I love the story. I am wondering how old Estherke was when they first found her. She had to have been big enough to walk and talk to tell how she got there, but smal enough to carry in a sack during the march, and wrap in a blanket and throw over a tall electrified wire.
Gary Katz, July 21, 2013 3:45 PM
Good point, and...
Wouldn't this also mean she was about 16 when she was getting married, in the early 1950's?
(31) Rose Fishman, May 17, 2009 5:17 PM
Estherke
I am 79, I lived through all the horrorsof this insane war,but than G-d in Canada,stories like this are very important for all to hear and see. It was a sign of G-d's Hope.
(30) a.t.a, May 12, 2009 8:46 AM
oh my goodness, i was glued to the screen!!!! what a story!!!
(29) Anonymous, May 10, 2009 3:45 AM
WONDERFUL STORIES LIKE THIS FROM THE HOLOCAUST ARE MY FAVORITE THING THAT AISH DOES. THANKS A MILLION.
(28) Raj, May 9, 2009 5:09 AM
Re: Not all the dead died
Dear Beverly Kurtin, It is not easy to go through such trials as your family and you have and remain alive and retain one's sanity. May God grant you grace and heal your bitterness as it defiles you the longer you hold onto it. It is never too late to get back to God and be restored spiritually.
(27) Anna, May 6, 2009 5:12 PM
a heart that loves will always be filled again and again and again....
G-d does give us beauty for ashes, when we look thru the ashes and not at them...what beautiful story from the ash heap....
(26) Robin, May 6, 2009 9:51 AM
Not all of the dead died
Thank you for your comments. It is very real that history is starting to repeat itself. And what will Europe do? Same as last time NOTHING! They have alreay began with stopping a natiional radio host here is the US from every visiting England.......oh and he is one of us, a Jew! This story is a wonderful story, but we need to be doing something NOW! Get involved NOW! We know that we can not wait for others to help! We must save ourselves as this story shows!
(25) Anonymous, May 6, 2009 3:15 AM
love
loved this story,makes me believe anything is possible. thank you.
(24) Bill Pentecost, May 5, 2009 11:21 AM
thanks
thanks for sharing this inspiring story - Check out the Jewish History series provided by Aish.com. Miracles like this and those of the survival of the Jewish people,prove there is a God who promised that in the later days there would be Jews in Israel.
(23) Beverly Kurtin, May 5, 2009 11:20 AM
Not all the dead died
During the Holocaust, I was alive and well in the United States. I was a child, too young to understand what was happening. My first view of the horrors of the death camps happened while I was at the movies when suddenly newsreels showed the piles of bodies. A part of me died that day and had remained dead. This story, beautiful as it is, could not move me as I wish it could. Forty-seven of my blood relatives perished in the wave of madness that swept Europe back then. Our family had sent them money to escape but the scoffed at the very idea that Jews were going to be exterminated, and so they perished. I have met other Jews who died inside when the reality of what most Europeans did to us, I am filled with hate and disgust for the majority of Europeans who have not learned a blasted thing, who agree with the spiritual brother of Hitler, the president of Iran. Europeans feel that Israel is the single most dangerous country in the world, impeding world peace. Forget North Korea, Iran, Sudan, Darfur…Israel is the most despotic country of them all. Yes, there were and remain many Europeans who saved Jews and who buck the trend of blaming Israel for every problem in the world. But they are a tiny minority. I have never visited Europe and never will, the only place apart from my United States that I wish to visit is Israel. It will probably never happen because of my finances (all Jews are NOT rich!). I owe my grandparents an incredible debt of gratitude for fleeing Russia and Poland when they did, else I’d have died in the camps too. For the rest of the world, may the Ruler of the Universe pay you back for every Jewish and Gentile soul you murdered, and for every person like myself who died spiritually because of what you caused.
Dorit, July 23, 2011 9:58 AM
I am praying that you could get enough money to visit Israel for (at least) three weeks - maybe we (my husband and I) don't have enough money for this journey to give you ... but if I could I'd really like to support this idea financially. - We live in Germany - and I don't know how much it costs to send some money to your bank account - but we'll see if you react: Hereby I allow Aish to give you my e-mail address to answer if you are interested, dear Mr Kurtin. Besides: I have read all statements you made and accept (because understand very well) what you are feeling - I really wish you to find a way to get to your home Israel - be blessed abundantly - Shalom. Dorit
(22) Jeanette, May 4, 2009 7:53 PM
what a beautiful story
How loving and tender this story was as the fact that Ida had such a strong urge to take care of this child and how H-shem orchestrated that she should meet her again by her fainting and the chasan of the kallah would help her and as we say the rest is history.
(21) Sarah, May 4, 2009 6:17 PM
Wow..............
Gosh this story touches me so deerly i almost broke down in tears i sent it to all my friends. I love how Ida and Estherke get together in the end. It just goes to show you one good turn should get another
(20) Art Genesta, May 4, 2009 12:00 PM
God's hand at work here.
It is so important that the stories of the plight of the Jewish people be made known. It is such an important part of history. And the evidence that God's hand is at work here is undeniable.
(19) jacob premkumar, May 4, 2009 12:59 AM
completely broke my heart with uncontroable tears.
A true stroy which has a great impact on my life and the tremendous sacrifice each one of them has made with a firm determination and faith in the living God could provide this miraculous escape
(18) Simcha Mendel, May 4, 2009 12:14 AM
A BEAUTIFUL STORY!!!!!
This was such a beautiful story & such Divine Providence which makes it so enjoyable to read.
(17) Alon Tolwin, May 3, 2009 7:22 PM
remarkable
Yaffa Eliach has this power to find these stories of courage and faith and express them in such a moving way. Funny how so many inspiring and uplifting incidents happened within the context of a holocaust that never took place! Ask our enemies, they'll tell you!
(16) Anonymous, May 3, 2009 6:00 PM
a powerful, touching, and remarkable story. it will stay with me for a long time.
(15) nate, May 3, 2009 5:58 PM
beautiful story in a most difficult period in jewish history
It is sometimes hard to read such stories even with a beautiful outcome. he lesson that needs to be learned from this and any other holocaust related story is that as jews , we must be good to one another.
(14) Anonymous, May 3, 2009 5:22 PM
either HASHEM really made this happen, or someone created a heartwrenchig story.
THERE ARE STRANGER TALES THAT REALLY OCCURED,DURING THE HOLOCAUST,BUT NOT MANY THAT SHOW THE MIRACLE TJAT THIS ONE DID.
(13) linda llewellyn, May 3, 2009 3:12 PM
A girl called Estherke
This is a beautiful true story, it really touched my heart. What courage and love. Thanks for sharing it with me.
(12) alyssa, May 3, 2009 2:25 PM
This was sooooo good!
What an amazing story! WOW! I love reading stories like this and I am so glad there was a happy ending for them. I will be sharing this with others. Thanks.
(11) Anonymous, May 3, 2009 2:21 PM
powerful
powerful and amazing
(10) lieba, May 3, 2009 1:16 PM
wow
what a story!!!! clearly this story illustrates that everything Hashem does is part of the plan...some things we marvel at and some things we mourn but undeniably, they are orchestrated by the Al-mighty.
(9) Yvonne Becker, May 3, 2009 12:36 PM
incredible-simply incredible...
We can wonder, "Where is God at a time like this?" But ultimately, God is in control at all times...
(8) Sarah, May 3, 2009 12:32 PM
Beautiful and touching story
Pass me a tissue, please.
(7) Mike Levyu, May 3, 2009 12:30 PM
Stories like this should be told everyone regardless of which faith they belong to.
(6) Davida Hathaway, May 3, 2009 12:13 PM
In G-d's time
Thank You for this dynamic accounting. From the words of Ida's father to being included in the Israeli soldier's wedding, there isn't a more inspiring story in any Hollywood movie.
(5) ruth housman, May 3, 2009 11:58 AM
Kissed through eternity
Hi, this is a profound story about love but it is also a story that turns on amazement itself. Could it be, God was in the wings through the entire journey or is this too difficult to comprehend, namely the pain, the sorrow, the anguish, that every step of the way, there too was the Divine Presence? I heard another story recently in my group, The Stories We Tell, at Newton Senior Center. The teller of this story had met a French woman on one of his naval stops ss he worked during the War and beyond and enjoyed her company, as a close friend for whatever time they had together. The years passed, he got married. They did not continue to correspond with time. He decided to take his wife to France and one day, at a phone booth, he got too talking to a young man behind him, waiting for the phone. He told him about this woman he had met so many years ago, and it turned out this very personable young man was her son. How many of these stories, could possibly constitute this entity, random? I am asking since I am experiencing near total visible synchronicity and a story I am recording that started as a Vow I could prove the existence of a Prime Mover via coincidence, after I had one that was so WOW to me, it just could NOT have been random. I think we're moving towards a new consciousness of God and our place here. This is a beautiful and profound story related above and I am saying this story, meaning all of our stories, can be comprehended on another plane and also that our collective stories are entirely about a soul journey, that is about LOVE itself.
(4) Leila, May 3, 2009 11:48 AM
The wonders of Hashem!
ANOTHER TRULY REMARKABLE STORY TO TOUCH THE HEART.
(3) Lynn, May 3, 2009 10:43 AM
Totally heart-touching.
This just reaffirmed to me that G-d is in total control and His eye is on His People.
(2) Lisa Michelle, May 3, 2009 10:26 AM
Touching
This story of love and survival brought tears to my eyes several times. What a wonderful ending!
(1) e schonfeld, May 3, 2009 10:01 AM
whew!!
whew!! Chills!!!!