Copyright 2017 Hanna Perlstein Marcus. All Rights Reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this memoir may be excerpted, reproduced, copied, or duplicated by any method whatsoever unless specifically approved by the author. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, recording, taping, and entering text into electronic storage and retrieval systems.
Published by Buttonhole Publishing
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Most of the characters in this memoir have fictitious names but are generally based on real people or are embellished, imagined, or are composites of several individuals. In some cases, I have used the characters real names, with their permission.
The events described in these pages are largely founded on real happenings. Some events, however, have been partially fictionalized to fit the perspective of the child at the center of the story. In those instances the depictions do not refer to real situations. As I portray them, the remembrances stem solely from my own memory as a child living among and interacting with this singular community and include neither interviews with nor the perspective of any other person.
In Chapter 1, The Outsiders, the reference to the song Di Grine Kusine is to the original song with lyrics by Abe Schwartz and Khayim Prizant (published 1921); translation retrieved from the Zemerl Archives, http://www.zemerl.com.
In Chapter 3, The Tattoed Ones, I have taken Winston Churchills words from Sir Martin Gilbert, Churchill and theHolocaust, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), updated on February 17, 2011, retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ worldwars/genocide/churchill_holocaust_01.shtml.
In Chapter 5, Surviving Remnant, Dezso Perlsteins Buchenwald Prisoner Identification Card, prisoner number 57569, from Hftlings-Personal-Karte, is from the International Tracing Service collection, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, document number 6799800. The accompanying card used for men interned at the Buchenwald concentration camp lists the six documents at the camp under his prisoner number. ITS collection, USHMM, document number 6799799.
The final quotation in Chapter 10, The Shul, is from Adele Berlin, Mark Zvi Brettler, and Michael Fishbane (editors), The Jewish Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation, New York: Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 900.
The revelation about the Barts in Chapter 33, The Freedom Fighters, is from Michael Bart and Laurel Corona, Until Our Last Breath: A Holocaust Story of Love and Partisan Resistance, New York: St. Martins Press, 2008.
Unless otherwise credited, all the illustrations that appear in the book are the authors.
ISBN:978-0-9979712-1-7
Praise for Surviving Remnant
There were portions that brought tears to my eyes of the trials and tribulations of the refugeesI loved the accents of the characters. I found the overall message was to demonstrate how a group of Jewish refugees not only survived but raised their children to be successful U.S. citizens.
David A. Field, Chairman, the Olga Lengyel Institute, Memorial Library
I really dont know of another book that describes so well a group of grinetheir first steps in the United States, their travails and their successes. What a great accomplishmentwritten so well that one is curious to know as much as possible about each of the families in the group.
Michlean Amir, Association of Jewish Libraries
A remarkable story, written in simple, readable style that evokes a childs voice of family love and kinship. An altogether entertaining and memorable narrative.
Brian Jud, Executive Director, Association of Publishers for Special Sales, author of How to Make Real Money Selling Books
Through Marcus loving recounting, the reader comes away with tremendous respect for these people who had the courage to move to a new country, learn the language and customs, remain fiercely committed to their children and become successful in their own way I felt a warm feeling for them, as if I had made some new friends too.
Nancy Simonds, Nancy Simonds Communication, LLC
Hanna Marcus deftly takes us into the world of Jews trying to recuperate from the nightmare of the Holocaust as they adjust to a new life in the United States.
Doreen Rappaport, author of Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust
There is so much here that still resonates today, especially Hannas keen observations on how the use of language shapes our perceptions. Instead of genocide and mass murder, we have selection and liquidation. Surviving Remnant should be required reading in history and sociology classes.
Elisabeth Petry, author of At Home Inside: A Daughters Tribute to Ann Petry
Hanna provides a warm and compelling portrait of her mother and her neighbors, showing the duality of life for the survivors, their mourning of their losses, their continuing faith, and their will to move on. A satisfying read!
Linda Grodofsky, Branch Supervisor, Springfield City Library
Although the stories are unique to those immigrants during that time in our history, their aspirations are universal and inspiring.
Diane DeFronzo, LCSW, Guardian Ad Litem
Readers familiar with Springfield, Massachusetts will appreciate the skill Marcus brings to her recreation of this industrial city, itself in the throes of post-war change. The beauty of Surviving Remnant, however, lies in the universality of its story, the making of a new lifeagainst difficult odds. The Jewish Greenhorns who populate this sequel are vividly and warmly portrayed.
David Garnes, author of After the War Was Over: A Novel of World War II
With clarity and compassion, the author delves into the complex lives of survivorsSet in mid-20th century New England, this extremely well-written story has value to anyone who grew up as the child of a parent or among a community of people that had survived the trauma of war and were coping with a new society and country.
Douglas McDonough, Library Director, Manchester, CT Public Library
In this book, readers are beside the author as she tries to make sense of the worldThrough the lives of the adults in her community, Hanna tries to make meaning out of the remnants she finds around her. By doing so, she helps us understand the struggle of any survivor of trauma, but also shows readers the great importance of community.
Cara Crandall, Holocaust educator and English teacher
Challenge yourself to put on the authors shoes and step into her world of new immigrants with her grace and determination.
Ellen Frankel, Special Education teacher, Hartford Public Schools
I found the booka very enjoyable readcontained many humorous touches and much pathosmany universal issues facing immigrants everywhere, especially in todays world.
Rima Riedel, Creative Expression therapist
Were all familiar with Anne Frank but most of us do not know what happened to Jews who survived the Holocaustand became immigrant refugees. Surviving Remnant tells one of these stories in a sometimes humorous, uplifting manner, but more importantly, from the human perspective.
Five Star Review on Goodreads