Unveiling the Heartbreaking Tale: A Jewish Family Torn Apart by WWII

As the dark clouds of World War II cast their ominous shadow over Europe, countless families were torn apart by the relentless tides of displacement and separation. Among them was the remarkable story of the Rost family, a Jewish family whose lives were irrevocably altered by the horrors of the Holocaust.

Parallel Lives: The Remarkable Story of a Young Jewish Family Separated by World War II

by Lena Rotmensz

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1512 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	257 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Rosts, parents Felix and Leonie, and their two young daughters, Roswitha and Hannelore, lived a peaceful life in Berlin, Germany. Felix, a talented violinist, provided for his family while Leonie tended to their home and raised their beloved girls. However, as the Nazi regime tightened its grip on Germany, life for Jewish families grew increasingly hostile.

In 1938, the infamous Kristallnacht pogrom shattered the illusion of safety. The Rosts' home was ransacked, their belongings destroyed, and Felix was arrested. In a desperate attempt to save their family, Leonie made the agonizing decision to send Roswitha and Hannelore to England on a Kindertransport.

With heavy hearts, the young girls bid farewell to their parents, not knowing when or if they would ever see them again. The Kindertransport trains carried Roswitha and Hannelore to London, where they were placed in an orphanage. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings and the absence of their parents, the girls found solace in each other's company.

Back in Berlin, Leonie and Felix faced the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. Felix perished in Auschwitz, while Leonie managed to survive the horrors of several concentration camps. After the war's end, she searched tirelessly for her lost daughters, but her efforts seemed futile.

Meanwhile, Roswitha and Hannelore grew up in England, never forgetting the family they had left behind. They built new lives, married, and had children of their own. Yet, the longing to reunite with their parents never diminished.

In 1985, a remarkable breakthrough occurred. Through the tireless efforts of a German journalist, Leonie Rost was located in Germany. Overjoyed, Roswitha and Hannelore immediately traveled to meet her. The reunion was an emotional outpouring of love and resilience, a testament to the unbreakable bonds of family.

The Rost family's story is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of war on human lives. It is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who survived the Holocaust and to the enduring power of love and family.

In 2018, Roswitha Rost wrote a moving memoir entitled "The Lost Daughter: A Memoir of the Holocaust." The book chronicles the Rost family's harrowing journey, offering a firsthand account of the horrors they endured and the unwavering hope that sustained them. It is a powerful and inspiring read that sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in human history.

The remarkable story of the Rost family continues to inspire and educate generations. It is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of family, and the enduring legacy of the Holocaust.

Parallel Lives: The Remarkable Story of a Young Jewish Family Separated by World War II

by Lena Rotmensz

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1512 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	257 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE