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L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation QUOTES

L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation QUOTES

1 " Zachary Blake had become a man . . . both sides of the family were very proud. Zayde Max Lewin and Grampa Morris Blake chanted the Hamotzi over the bread and the feast was on. What Jewish celebration does not end with a feast? "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

2 " Zachary knew his grandfather was opposed to personal gratification or reward, but the story deserved to be told. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

3 " Such a stubborn yingele! Okay, okay, here is your story . . . "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

4 " Max stuck his head out the passenger side window and yelled, “Open the gate, you idiots!” in perfect German. “I’ve got to get this car to Himmler.” The stunned gatekeepers rushed to open the gate, and the five men drove through it to freedom and into the history books. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

5 " And they want me to hear the story direct from the horse’s mouth.”
“So now I am a horse? A horse is not kosher! "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

6 " I know you will honor your promise of becoming a lawyer, living an honorable life, and helping those less fortunate. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

7 " . . . Max glanced at the camp entrance, where the train came through. A gate marked the entrance. The sign read: “Arbeit macht frei” a German phrase meaning “work sets you free.” The sign was a cruel taunt, as this was certainly not a place where work set a person free. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

8 " He’s the reason I became a plaintiff’s lawyer, you know. He made me promise to help people less fortunate than myself.”
“He would be very proud of the man you have become, Zack. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

9 " Zayde would like the fact that I divorced or the fact I married a Schiksa the second time around, but he’d be happy that I’m happy. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

10 " A ramp was lowered, and the group was ordered to disembark from the car. Max was one of the first to exit—he looked left, then right, and saw that the train contained over twenty cares, filled with hundreds of prisoners, bound and chained, in a similar fashion to his group. All Jewish? He wondered. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

11 " While it may have been the exception rather than the rule, the Jewish community did what it could, when it could, to defy Nazi tyranny . . . Contrary to the myth of little or no resistance, there was, indeed, verified, armed resistance to the Holocaust in ghettos and concentration camps. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

12 " I love you too, my sweet boy. You will only know how much after you have had children and grandchildren of your own. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

13 " Without Max including me in his plans . . . I would not be here today. I thank Hashem, every day, for sending me an angel named Max Lewenstein. As I look out at his wife and beautiful family, his children and grandchildren, remember, you too would not be here today if not for the extraordinary bravery of the angel, Max Lewenstein. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

14 " If this group of worthless trash wants to live through this experience, they will need someone to speak for them and take responsibility. Will that be you? "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

15 " The old man reached behind his head and unlatched his necklace . . . and retrieved the solid gold Star of David pendant attached to it. Max handed the pendent to his grandson. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

16 " Max wanted to spit in Kellermann’s face and tell him he felt obligated to try to escape. It was his duty to buck the authority of those who commanded the camp. Wisely, he held his saliva and his tongue. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

17 " Did Max survive because he was brave? Perhaps. Lucky? Absolutely! Stupid? Undoubtedly so. But the number one reason Max sat in front of young Zachary Blake on the eve of the boy’s Bar Mitzvah was Max’s stubborn refusal to give up or give in. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

18 " This was one of the most daring, dangerous, talked about, and legendary escapes in Auschwitz history. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

19 " Many people have stories of bravery during the Holocaust. I am no braver than anyone else. 6,000,000 Jews lost their lives during the war. They are the heroes, my son, not me. I was lucky.”
“Some people make their own luck, Zayde! You are one of those. I’m so proud to be your grandson.”
“Then you’ll do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Tell everyone you know about the brave Jews who escaped from Auschwitz but don’t tell them about your grandfather.”
“Why not? I’m so proud of you! You were part of the resistance.”
“Because it is not important that one of the Holocaust survivors is your Zayde. All Jews are relatives—all are important, especially after the death of the 6,000,000 and so many other attempts to wide us out . . . "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation

20 " It may be condescending for me to say, but I am proud of you. I know your grandfather would be proud of you, too. "

― Mark M. Bello , L'DOR V'DOR: From Generation to Generation