My heart broke for Jack when he was talking about his little brother who didn't deserve to die, then when he met the school kids and the girl was almost in tears at meeting a survivor
So glad he got his Bar Mitzva in front of his family
Just caught up with this now and I too had tears in my eyes listening to Jack's amazing story. I actually think it should be in the national curriculum that ALL kids have to visit one of the concentration camps to really understand the reality of Man's inhumanity to Man.
Found this really interesting. For some reason I've always been quite interested in the Jewish Religion and culture and love stuff like this when it's on. Jack seemed like an amazing man and glad he got his Bar Mitzva in the end. At one point a few years ago I wanted to go on a Kibbutz but it didn't happen, this has sort of made me want to do it again. Would also love to visit Israel and see the old city and stuff. Tel Aviv sounds pretty cool as well.
When his voice was breaking through emotion when he was singing at his Bar Mitzvah it was so emotional, I didn't realise until later that I'd had tears streaming down my face.
Although it was lovely seeing the everyday lives of the people in this programme (sorry I'm useless with names but I really liked the 'main' woman who was featured heavily (with the daughter in Israel) and the man who owned the clothes shop) for me Jack was the absolute star of this programme. His story was the most interesting, watching him retrace his steps for the first time was humbling and heart breaking.
But, Jack aside, one of my main thoughts was that it must be very expensive being Jewish with all those engagements, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, babies, ceremonies etc - I don't think I could afford it! :eek::D
Jack was definitely the star of the show. He was so small and vulnerable looking. My heart broke for him when he revisited his childhood town and the concentration camp.
The sight of his old face peering out the window in the cattle transport train was very poignant.
I also remember footage of him in his old factory, explaining how it was named. He must definitely have featured in last year's show as I even remembered his name.
When his voice was breaking through emotion when he was singing at his Bar Mitzvah it was so emotional, I didn't realise until later that I'd had tears streaming down my face.
Although it was lovely seeing the everyday lives of the people in this programme (sorry I'm useless with names but I really liked the 'main' woman who was featured heavily (with the daughter in Israel) and the man who owned the clothes shop) for me Jack was the absolute star of this programme. His story was the most interesting, watching him retrace his steps for the first time was humbling and heart breaking.
But, Jack aside, one of my main thoughts was that it must be very expensive being Jewish with all those engagements, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, babies, ceremonies etc - I don't think I could afford it! :eek::D
Jack was definitely the star and I was tearing up at points. I liked that main woman too, she seemed really level headed with her faith and just everything. Wasn't too keen on her husband though, not sure why. The geeky Rabbi was quite funny and I think VERY lucky to get a girl like that lol, and it was weird she kept mentioning the fact she ignored him twice before.
Well, I guess they kinda reinforce the stereotype about Jews and money a bit :eek: £250 or whatever for fruit!
Just caught up with this now and I too had tears in my eyes listening to Jack's amazing story. I actually think it should be in the national curriculum that ALL kids have to visit one of the concentration camps to really understand the reality of Man's inhumanity to Man.
I think that the Holocaust is on our national curriculum and I had thought it was part of the education syllabus all over Europe but to my great surprise, while watching a documentary about the daughter of a Concentration Camp Commandant who had spent her infancy living next door to a camp I was astounded to hear her say that she knew nothing about the camps until she was in her mid-20s.
Her father had been tried and hanged for his crimes but her mother and family had somehow managed to keep all of this from her. But how did she not hear about it at school? Everyone should know about Hitler and how many people he deemed were worthless and needed to be killed - the disabled, socialists, union members, gypsies, masons, Slavs, any non-caucasians etc. It wasn't just the Jews. Virtually nobody was safe. There has never been anything like this before in history and it should not be forgotten.
I think that the Holocaust is on our national curriculum and I had thought it was part of the education syllabus all over Europe but to my great surprise, while watching a documentary about the daughter of a Concentration Camp Commandant who had spent her infancy living next door to a camp I was astounded to hear her say that she knew nothing about the camps until she was in her mid-20s.
Her father had been tried and hanged for his crimes but her mother and family had somehow managed to keep all of this from her. But how did she not hear about it at school? Everyone should know about Hitler and how many people he deemed were worthless and needed to be killed - the disabled, socialists, union members, gypsies, masons, Slavs, any non-caucasians etc. It wasn't just the Jews. Virtually nobody was safe. There has never been anything like this before in history and it should not be forgotten.
I don't think that can be true. She may not have been aware up until the summer of 1945 but after that any German living near a camp was forced to tour the camp, by the Allies, in order to witness what evil had been carried out "on their behalf".
I think that the Holocaust is on our national curriculum and I had thought it was part of the education syllabus all over Europe but to my great surprise, while watching a documentary about the daughter of a Concentration Camp Commandant who had spent her infancy living next door to a camp I was astounded to hear her say that she knew nothing about the camps until she was in her mid-20s.
I don't believe her to be honest. German children were brainwashed into hating Jews at school and children had to join the Hitler Youth from the age of 10. Even if she was younger than that, the fact that her father was a camp commandant and she lived next door would mean that she would know what it was for - I'm sure her father would have made sure she knew they were 'exterminating vermin' as they thought of them.
This is a quote about Monika Hertwig's story: "It's a testament to the postwar German will to forget that the young Monika knew nothing about the history of Jews in Germany or what happened to Jews during the war." It is from this link: http://www.nowpublic.com/world/inheritance-documentary-film-tells-story-nazis-daughter and if it is true it is deplorable. She was, apparently, 11 (she was born in 1945) when the secret slipped out that her father had been hanged rather than simply "dying in the war" as she had thought.
She was, apparently, 11 (she was born in 1945) when the secret slipped out that her father had been hanged rather than simply "dying in the war" as she had thought.
I suppose the fact she was born after the war would explain why she perhaps didn't know anything about it and she can hardly be blamed for her ignorance - or for who her father was.
Went to Kibbutz when I was 19, probably the best experience of my life, if you have no real ties I really do recommend it for a six month stint, I would be very surprised if you did not have a great time.
I'm Jewish (a nice, normal, typical Jew though, not at all ultra-orthodox) and moved to Prestwich, North Manchester last year. Saw Strictly Kosher last year, but did not find last night's episode quite as enjoyable. To non-Jewish members of society I'm sure the documentary was insightful but I can't help but think that some of the participants on the show (Jack the Holocaust survivor aside) make the rest of the Jewish community look like absolute nutters.
I think it's some of the rituals that do that rather than the participants. Take that away and you have only a bunch of people you wouldn't forget in a hurry (in a good way).
I suppose the fact she was born after the war would explain why she perhaps didn't know anything about it and she can hardly be blamed for her ignorance - or for who her father was.
She was born while her father was running the camp and the shocking thing is that she says that until she was 11 she knew nothing about the Holocaust or the "final solution" when we are all told that German children, especially, were taught about their WWII history with special emphasis on the camps. Another quote: "Monika never knew her father and had little curiosity about him. Many German children in those years were growing up without fathers — they had died fighting in the war — and no one talked about the war anyway. But this veil was strangely pierced when Monika, 11 years old, was told spitefully by her mother, "You are like your father and you will die like him!" Monika, who had never gotten along with her mother, was so struck and puzzled by what her mother had said that she went to the woman she most trusted, her maternal grandmother. And for the first time, Monika heard the truth: "They hanged your father." Why? "Because he killed Jews." Still no mention of education - her discovery was within the family and only after a domestic row. Very odd.
Thanks, heiker - glad I'm not alone. Post 148 reckons it's been on before too.
You could well be right about Jack being in the Orphans programme - the only thing is, I never watched that, so we're back at square one!
I'm just watching the Strictly Kosher programme from last year, and it shows Jack giving an explanation of the company name and picking up the tag. So it seems they've used the same clip in the current programme, perhaps that's why people have seen it before?
I'm just watching the Strictly Kosher programme from last year, and it shows Jack giving an explanation of the company name and picking up the tag. So it seems they've used the same clip in the current programme, perhaps that's why people have seen it before?
Thank you!
I knew I'd seen at least that bit before, especially as someone said that Jack hadn't been in the previous shows. I wasn't imagining, after all!
i have just got back from two weeks in Israel and went to Yeshiva for a part of that on a trip with the jewish society. I love Israel I try and go once every two years its beautiful there.
if anyone has any questions that they want answered about judaism or israel let me know.
Comments
Just caught up with this now and I too had tears in my eyes listening to Jack's amazing story. I actually think it should be in the national curriculum that ALL kids have to visit one of the concentration camps to really understand the reality of Man's inhumanity to Man.
When his voice was breaking through emotion when he was singing at his Bar Mitzvah it was so emotional, I didn't realise until later that I'd had tears streaming down my face.
Although it was lovely seeing the everyday lives of the people in this programme (sorry I'm useless with names but I really liked the 'main' woman who was featured heavily (with the daughter in Israel) and the man who owned the clothes shop) for me Jack was the absolute star of this programme. His story was the most interesting, watching him retrace his steps for the first time was humbling and heart breaking.
But, Jack aside, one of my main thoughts was that it must be very expensive being Jewish with all those engagements, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, babies, ceremonies etc - I don't think I could afford it! :eek::D
The sight of his old face peering out the window in the cattle transport train was very poignant.
I also remember footage of him in his old factory, explaining how it was named. He must definitely have featured in last year's show as I even remembered his name.
I went to a kibbutz 22 years ago. Great fun, and I met my husband there
I don't know how old you are, but there is an upper age limit of 35.
Thanks, heiker - glad I'm not alone. Post 148 reckons it's been on before too.
You could well be right about Jack being in the Orphans programme - the only thing is, I never watched that, so we're back at square one!
But they weren't anything like as much fun as the Manchester
lot. I wonder why?
I'm 22, does that mean I'm at an ok age? lol
Jack was definitely the star and I was tearing up at points. I liked that main woman too, she seemed really level headed with her faith and just everything. Wasn't too keen on her husband though, not sure why. The geeky Rabbi was quite funny and I think VERY lucky to get a girl like that lol, and it was weird she kept mentioning the fact she ignored him twice before.
Well, I guess they kinda reinforce the stereotype about Jews and money a bit :eek: £250 or whatever for fruit!
I think that the Holocaust is on our national curriculum and I had thought it was part of the education syllabus all over Europe but to my great surprise, while watching a documentary about the daughter of a Concentration Camp Commandant who had spent her infancy living next door to a camp I was astounded to hear her say that she knew nothing about the camps until she was in her mid-20s.
Her father had been tried and hanged for his crimes but her mother and family had somehow managed to keep all of this from her. But how did she not hear about it at school? Everyone should know about Hitler and how many people he deemed were worthless and needed to be killed - the disabled, socialists, union members, gypsies, masons, Slavs, any non-caucasians etc. It wasn't just the Jews. Virtually nobody was safe. There has never been anything like this before in history and it should not be forgotten.
I don't think that can be true. She may not have been aware up until the summer of 1945 but after that any German living near a camp was forced to tour the camp, by the Allies, in order to witness what evil had been carried out "on their behalf".
Ideal age - I was 26 when I went (so I'm getting on a bit now
I don't believe her to be honest. German children were brainwashed into hating Jews at school and children had to join the Hitler Youth from the age of 10. Even if she was younger than that, the fact that her father was a camp commandant and she lived next door would mean that she would know what it was for - I'm sure her father would have made sure she knew they were 'exterminating vermin' as they thought of them.
I suppose the fact she was born after the war would explain why she perhaps didn't know anything about it and she can hardly be blamed for her ignorance - or for who her father was.
Went to Kibbutz when I was 19, probably the best experience of my life, if you have no real ties I really do recommend it for a six month stint, I would be very surprised if you did not have a great time.
I think it's some of the rituals that do that rather than the participants. Take that away and you have only a bunch of people you wouldn't forget in a hurry (in a good way).
She was born while her father was running the camp and the shocking thing is that she says that until she was 11 she knew nothing about the Holocaust or the "final solution" when we are all told that German children, especially, were taught about their WWII history with special emphasis on the camps. Another quote: "Monika never knew her father and had little curiosity about him. Many German children in those years were growing up without fathers — they had died fighting in the war — and no one talked about the war anyway. But this veil was strangely pierced when Monika, 11 years old, was told spitefully by her mother, "You are like your father and you will die like him!" Monika, who had never gotten along with her mother, was so struck and puzzled by what her mother had said that she went to the woman she most trusted, her maternal grandmother. And for the first time, Monika heard the truth: "They hanged your father." Why? "Because he killed Jews." Still no mention of education - her discovery was within the family and only after a domestic row. Very odd.
I'm just watching the Strictly Kosher programme from last year, and it shows Jack giving an explanation of the company name and picking up the tag. So it seems they've used the same clip in the current programme, perhaps that's why people have seen it before?
I knew I'd seen at least that bit before, especially as someone said that Jack hadn't been in the previous shows. I wasn't imagining, after all!
if anyone has any questions that they want answered about judaism or israel let me know.