Unraveling the Past: A Personal Journey Through Holocaust History

A poignant encounter between Amie Liebowitz, the great-granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, and Cornelia Stieler, whose grandfather drove trains to Auschwitz, highlights the complexities of confronting a dark family legacy. Amie's grandfather, Ludvig, was separated from his mother, Rachel, who was murdered in the Auschwitz death camp in 1944. Cornelia's grandfather, initially unaware of the horrors he would witness, eventually drove trains transporting victims to their deaths.

During a recent interview in Germany, Amie expressed a mixture of emotions as she learned about Cornelia's grandfather's role as a train driver. Cornelia, who studied family therapy, grappled with the implications of her grandfather's actions, questioning when he became complicit in the atrocities. This conversation underscored the emotional burden carried by descendants of those involved in or affected by the Holocaust.

The chilling memories of the Holocaust were further brought to light during their exploration of Schönwald, now known as Bojków, Poland. This site witnessed one of the infamous "death marches," where thousands of prisoners were forced to march in brutal conditions as the Soviet Army advanced. Both women emphasized the importance of confronting this painful history to foster understanding and prevent future atrocities.

Recent efforts to memorialize the victims have begun to reshape the narrative in Bojków, demonstrating the need for communities to acknowledge their past. A new memorial was unveiled commemorating those who perished during the death march, marking a significant step toward remembrance and reconciliation. As rising antisemitism remains a concern globally, both Amie and Cornelia advocate for continuous dialogue about the past to better understand human behavior and societal change.