Purple Teen Party
Client  Stories

Client  Stories

 

He shines with pride.

You can hear it in his voice as he describes his grandchildren. They represent something so special; they are a testimony to his survival. He has lived through so much hatred, murder, and torture. Yet, he has not given up.

Despite the extensive efforts the Nazis went through to break and destroy Murray's life, he has flourished. Although he lived through many concentration camps, saw so many die, and lost his entire family, Murray strove to rebuild his life. With "three dollars in his pocket," he built a successful real-estate business in America, which he calls "the greatest country in the world." He now has three children and many grandchildren including Zachary, "a champion hockey player."

When encountering someone who has experienced the very worst aspects of human kind at a very young age, one would expect to meet a hardened, cynical, man.  Murray, despite being subjected to the horrors of the holocaust at thirteen, is the very opposite. The soft wrinkles on his face easily dissolve into an eager smile. He is sharp and understanding, many times worrying if his younger audiences are "bored with his [war] stories."  He harbors a love and appreciation for life that many of us have never known.

Although Murray may have seen the worst horrors human kind can act upon itself, he represents the most redeeming feature of humanity: our ability to overcome, our capability to love. He lives as a loving husband, father, and grandfather; a generous philanthropist, not simply in donating his money, but donating his time to teach other from his experiences.

Not only has he survived the holocaust, but he currently - with help from the Jewish Family Services - aids holocaust survivors.  He serves on Jewish Family Services' Holocaust Advisory Board with other survivors that look at any emergency needs that may arise with other Holocaust Survivors in the Columbus community. If eligible, JFS will provide assistance through a special fund created by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.  Murray and other Holocaust Survivors, seeking restitution payment from various European governments, receive help from JFS with filling out paperwork.

For twenty-five years, Murray was reluctant to share his painful stories, but Tod Freidman, his friend, convinced him that it would be selfish not to reveal his experiences. Currently, he gives speeches to colleges and groups about his life during World War II, showing them the countless documents - including restitution checks for "forced slave labor" from European governments and orphanage certificates - that improves upon reality.

A documentary, "A Survivor's Journey," was produced after Murray's first journey to Poland after the war, and Steven Spielberg used his interviews for his own movie based on the Holocaust.
As he reminisced and told his stories through the interview, his awareness and appreciation for life filled the room.  He made it clear he knew he was a miracle, being one of the few that survived.  His love and passion for life shined through his eyes while his body and words displayed the pride he has for where he is today and the journey that has brought him here.

Written by Columbus Torah Academy students, Asher and Marcie.

 
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Sunday, February 05, 2012
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