Thank you for writing this Michael. My family is not Jewish, except on some European edges by marriage. My father died in Tasmania in 2022 aged 91. As a child his village in the former Yugoslavia was occupied and controlled by Nazis. His big sister then aged 17 fought them as a Partizan. He saw terrible things, and terrible things were done to members of our family because they resisted Nazism. All the Jews in the village were murdered and deported. He repressed/managed these memories of cruelty and violence for many decades. He was a wonderful and kind father to me. At the end of his life these memories sent him psychotic. So for him, and me as his carer, there was nothing remote about that period of history and for me there never shall be. I personally choke when I hear about calls to put October 7 in 'context.' This is the context.
Thank you for this Natasha. I know something of the history of Yugoslavia at that time and so understand something of what your father went through, I wish you long life Natasha. Michael
In lucid moments he was able to recount some of these memories before be died. I am trying to write about them in the larger whole. It is extremely difficult but important. Thank you beyond the substack for your book, because writing remains important.
When will the world awaken to the fact that Satan has hated the Jewish people for 6000 years and he is behind all of the atrocities during the past, with more to come. Being a student of history, I believe we have much worse to come, even the attempted destruction of Israel.
Read Old Testament prophecy with an open mind and I believe that you will agree......sadly agree.
As always your insights are both penetrating and poignant . Anti semtism in the Diaspora just went into remission, and was waiting for a new way to metastasise. My condolences to you and your family. May we all live to see better times.
A very moving piece. The experience of my family in those terrible years of the khurban is deeply imprinted in my consciousness. Now, it seems to me, that the question of how to deal with the open expression of antisemitism is a critical one
Oyf simches Michael, mere mortal death can’t kill a man like Yasha, whose power is eternal through memories of him that you’ve helped to share.
What an excellent piece despite the horror. Thank you for introducing me to Yasha and Cesia.
Thank you for writing this Michael. My family is not Jewish, except on some European edges by marriage. My father died in Tasmania in 2022 aged 91. As a child his village in the former Yugoslavia was occupied and controlled by Nazis. His big sister then aged 17 fought them as a Partizan. He saw terrible things, and terrible things were done to members of our family because they resisted Nazism. All the Jews in the village were murdered and deported. He repressed/managed these memories of cruelty and violence for many decades. He was a wonderful and kind father to me. At the end of his life these memories sent him psychotic. So for him, and me as his carer, there was nothing remote about that period of history and for me there never shall be. I personally choke when I hear about calls to put October 7 in 'context.' This is the context.
Thank you for this Natasha. I know something of the history of Yugoslavia at that time and so understand something of what your father went through, I wish you long life Natasha. Michael
In lucid moments he was able to recount some of these memories before be died. I am trying to write about them in the larger whole. It is extremely difficult but important. Thank you beyond the substack for your book, because writing remains important.
Thanks Michael a very touching piece
My mother זיל said that a Jew is never safe and should keep a low profile
Keep up the good work
I have discovered this piece quite late - but it has the essential 'good writing' trait of timelessness. Thank you.
When will the world awaken to the fact that Satan has hated the Jewish people for 6000 years and he is behind all of the atrocities during the past, with more to come. Being a student of history, I believe we have much worse to come, even the attempted destruction of Israel.
Read Old Testament prophecy with an open mind and I believe that you will agree......sadly agree.
As always your insights are both penetrating and poignant . Anti semtism in the Diaspora just went into remission, and was waiting for a new way to metastasise. My condolences to you and your family. May we all live to see better times.
What a beautiful piece of writing. Also how true it is that the world has changed and diaspora Jews are no longer living in the post WW2 Golden Age.
Just beautiful. This honours Yasha so wonderfully. Wishing you all long life and may his memory be a blessing
Michael. Thank you for this. It is wonderful. So descriptive and sad and moving.
I am sorry for the loss of your Yasha. Now I love him, too, through you.
Thank you Batsheva. I wish you and John long life.
A very moving piece. The experience of my family in those terrible years of the khurban is deeply imprinted in my consciousness. Now, it seems to me, that the question of how to deal with the open expression of antisemitism is a critical one
What a powerful piece of writing which totally tresinates with me
Rest in peace Yasha….we need warriors like you more than ever
Long life to all your family
Poignantly and lyrically expressed. I feel it. Love to the family. Chavershaft.
i wish you and Annie long life. Beautiful memorial.
So true, so sad. Oyf lange yohren!
So beautiful and poignant and upsetting