I recently saw the documentary, “Big Sonia,” about a local Kansas City area woman who survived the Holocaust and three concentration camps from ages 13 to 19; how she and her husband started their own tailor shop; how the tailor shop became an important part of her life; and how the Holocaust impacted her life, her family and those around her. Although I do not know Sonia, I do know her sister-in-law, who belongs to my congregation.
Both Sonia and Ann are contemporaries of my Mom. And when I hear of their Holocaust survival story, I cannot help but think, “there for the grace of G-d, could have been my Mom.” But she would have just been 10 when the horrors really began, and she might not have survived. It stabs at my heart. Here is why:
When I look at the smiling children in the 1931 passport, I feel fear in my heart. They are my Mom and my Uncle. My grandmother is getting ready to take them to Poland.
In 1931, most Jews in Poland and Europe were not yet concerned about escaping. Although Hitler’s rise to power was advancing, he did not become chancellor of Germany until January 1933. Thus, I guess in some ways, my Grandmother was not afraid to take her two small children, my Uncle, who was 4 ½, and my Mom, who was 2 1/2, to Europe to stay with family while she tried to regain her health.
The kneeling sailor is speaking to my Mom; behind her my Uncle; behind him my Grandma.
I always knew this had occurred. I have seen the photo taken of my Mom and Uncle on the ship to Europe. I knew that my grandmother almost died aboard the ship on the way to Europe. I have seen several photos of my grandmother in Kalsbadt and with family members during that trip.
Both their visa and Passport were issued on May 18, 1931. I think their visa was good until May 18, 1932. This part of the Visa is in German. Since my Grandfather’s family lived in the area of Galicia which was then Austria, it makes sense. They arrived in Europe on May 26, 1931.
I heard the stories of my Mom and Uncle coming back from Europe only speaking Yiddish. Their English left them while they spent six months with their paternal grandparents. This would not happen again, as these grandparents perished in the Shoah.
This registers my uncle and mom as living in Boleslawiec.
But now that I have the Passport, and have had part of it translated, I know that this story is not totally true. They spent at least two and half months in Boleslawiec, Poland, from August 14 to October 3, 1931. This is where my Grandmother was born. They spent at least that time staying with their maternal grandfather and his children. That was a surprise.
So at some point, my Grandmother traveled across Europe with two small children, going from Mielic, Galicia, Austria, to Boleslawiec, Poland. WOW. I wonder how the trains were then. I am sure she went with her American dollars and was able to travel easily. But the idea of them on a train in Austria and Poland sends shivers through my body. I can so easily image the other members of my family who traveled on much less kind trains a number of years later to their deaths in the concentration camps.
I also knew it was this trip and her visits to the mineral waters of Kalsbadt that saved and cured my grandmother. Her experiences in Europe over these months also made her resolute to get as many family members out of Europe that she could. Unfortunately, she was only successful in rescuing her father and sister. Her in laws refused to leave, and they perished.
However, until I held the Passport that jointly named my Uncle and Mom as USA citizens and saw the visas, I somehow did not quite fathom the enormous consequences. This passport was only valid for two years. What if they had been stuck in Europe? I had asked my grandfather when I was younger what he would have done if Grandma died in Europe. He assured me that he was not going to leave his children in Europe. He let her go because she was ill, but his children would return to the USA.
That always made me feel better, as the family they stayed with, my grandfather’s family, all perished. I always believed that Grandma took the children to her in-laws and traveled by herself. But that is not true. She also took them to see her father and siblings as well. And miraculously my Grandmother’s two brothers and their wives survived even though Grandma could not get them out of Poland.
The Passport was originally made out only for my Uncle in May 1931. I found that strange. Was my Grandmother going to leave my 2-year-old mother with my grandfather in the States, while she traveled with my Uncle? What changed her mind? I will never know that story. I found the Passport long after my grandmother had passed away.
I do know that they came home. They arrived back in the USA on October 13, 1931. I can see the US Immigration stamp. The trip itself took a week or so crossing the Atlantic. They grew up in New Jersey. They married. They had children and grandchildren. Their memories of Europe faded quickly. Perhaps my Uncle remembered more, but for my Mom it was just stories she heard.
My Mom did not go through the horrors and Hell that Big Sonia experienced. Her American Passport and visa and ticket to return saved her and my uncle. In 1936 Mom went with my Grandmother to Ellis Island to gather my great grandfather and Tante (great aunt). My Grandmother was successful in saving them.
Not everyone had a life saving Passport. I often think of those who perished. I still remember the day I found out about the Holocaust. I cannot forget.
With the vitriol and anti-Semitic language and acts of bullying throughout the country, I think it is important that no one forgets. Everyone should go and see “Big Sonia” and learn about real courage, and the horrible consequences of baseless hatred and bigotry.
Thank you to members of the Facebook Groups: Tracing the Tribe and Jewish Ancestry in Poland for the translations.
https://www.facebook.com/bigsoniamovie/?fref=mentions
https://zicharonot.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/the-mysterious-kalsbad-photos-who-are-they/
https://zicharonot.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/speaking-yiddish-always-brings-me-holocaust-memories/
zicharonot 
I am glad you were able to get it translated. I cannot imagine traveling alone with two children under five anywhere, any time. And to think of your ill grandmother traveling in Europe with such young children is mind-boggling, especially given conditions in Europe at that time (even before Hitler came to power). What a story!
I know it amazes me. I am thinking that a family member traveled with her.
Or they were remarkably well-behaved children.
It was different times. And was so unlike their life in New Jersey.
Your post sent shivers through my body just considering the possible consequences. I’m glad that they were able to return safely to America. I’m so sorry she wasn’t successful in saving more family members.
I just looked up Big Sonia and there aren’t any showings anywhere near me. I have been reading Survivor for several months. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844039064/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I “read” it in one sitting until I got to the biographies at the back. I read many in those first few days, but had to slow down and read only a few in a sitting with breaks in between. The stories are brief and compelling, but so heartbreaking. The photography and the handwritten notes are powerful and moving. It’s a wonderful book with a great reminder that we must continue to tell the stories of the Holocaust. We can’t forget.
Thank you for sharing this post. The photographs are fantastic.
Thank you. It is an amazing story. The are others about these family members. If you look for holocaust you can read more about them. Sometimes I think I need to write a book. I will look up survivor.
You should. The more books, the better.