The Last Goodbye: Separating to Save Their Children

Summary

The documentary 'Into the Arms of Strangers' delves into the Kindertransport, a remarkable rescue effort during the Holocaust that saved 10,000 Jewish children. Through powerful testimonies and historical insights, the film highlights the emotional journeys of survivors, the selfless acts of foster families, and the profound loss caused by the Holocaust. The story underscores the importance of human empathy, the resilience of the children, and the indelible impact of the Kindertransport, which continues to inspire hope and courage. It serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths individuals will go to protect children in times of crisis.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kindertransport was a rescue mission that saved 10,000 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe before World War II.
• 😀 Norbert Wollheim, a key figure in the Kindertransport, believed his survival was a matter of luck and dedicated his life to helping other children escape Nazi persecution.
• 😀 Norbert's personal story is marked by his deep sorrow over losing his first son but finding peace in his efforts to save other children.
• 😀 Survivors of the Kindertransport, including Norbert, were deeply impacted by the idea of humanity still existing amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.
• 😀 The kindness of ordinary citizens, particularly British foster families, was crucial in providing refuge for Kindertransport children.
• 😀 Many children who were placed in foster families maintained lifelong relationships with their foster families, creating lasting bonds of love and care.
• 😀 The documentary showcases successful placements where children stayed in touch with their biological families and were treated as part of their foster families.
• 😀 The Kindertransport raises the moral question of what we would do in similar circumstances—whether we would send away or take in a child to save them.
• 😀 The impact of the Kindertransport is profound, with survivors contributing significantly to society, including two Nobel Prize winners among them.
• 😀 The preservation of these stories, such as through the National Film Registry, ensures that the memory of the Kindertransport and its survivors will endure for future generations.
• 😀 The story of the Kindertransport illustrates the extraordinary lengths that parents and aid workers went to in order to protect children from the Nazi threat.

Q & A

What was Norbert Wollheim's role in the Kindertransport effort?

Norbert Wollheim played a significant role in the Kindertransport, helping to save thousands of children from Nazi persecution. He was deeply involved in bringing attention to the plight of these children, working closely with other survivors and aid organizations to secure refuge for them in Britain.

How did Norbert Wollheim feel about his own survival in relation to the children he helped save?

Norbert Wollheim believed his survival was a matter of luck. He felt that, despite the loss of his own son, his ability to survive and help others demonstrated that there was still humanity left in the world, especially since Britain was willing to take in the children.

Why did Norbert Wollheim's wife, Charlotte, say he rallied for one final testimony?

Charlotte Wollheim mentioned that her husband, Norbert, rallied for one final testimony because he wanted to ensure his story was shared before he passed away. He felt that completing his testimony brought him a sense of peace.

How did Norbert Wollheim's work reflect the theme of humanity during the Holocaust?

Wollheim's work reflected the theme of humanity by showing that even in the darkest times, acts of kindness and compassion, such as taking in children and offering them safety, proved that humanity could still endure and provide hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.

What role did foster families play in the Kindertransport, and how did they impact the children?

Foster families played a crucial role in the Kindertransport by providing shelter and care to children who were sent away from their families to escape Nazi persecution. In some cases, these placements led to lifelong connections, with children maintaining relationships with their foster families and even integrating them as part of their own families.

What is the significance of the Kindertransport survivors winning Nobel Prizes?

The fact that two Kindertransport survivors, Arno Penzias and Walter Kohn, went on to win Nobel Prizes emphasizes the untapped potential of the children saved by the Kindertransport. It highlights the profound loss to humanity when considering the many children who perished in the Holocaust, as well as the remarkable contributions made by those who survived.

Why did the survivors interviewed for the film refuse to answer questions about what they would have done in their parents' shoes?

The survivors interviewed for the film refused to answer questions about what they would have done in their parents' shoes because the question was too overwhelming. They felt that they could not fully grasp the moral and emotional complexity of the decision their parents faced in sending them away for safety.

What was the purpose of the film *Into the Arms of Strangers*?

The film *Into the Arms of Strangers* aimed to preserve the stories of Kindertransport survivors and highlight the impact of the Kindertransport on both the children who were saved and the families who took them in. It serves to commemorate this remarkable humanitarian effort and keep the memories of the event alive.

What is the significance of the Kindertransport being included in the National Film Registry?

The inclusion of *Into the Arms of Strangers* in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress ensures that the stories of the Kindertransport and the lives of those affected by it will be preserved for future generations. It recognizes the importance of documenting and sharing this chapter of history.

What larger lesson does the Kindertransport offer about human compassion and sacrifice?

The Kindertransport teaches a powerful lesson about human compassion and sacrifice. It demonstrates how ordinary people, such as British citizens, made extraordinary efforts to help children in need, and how parents were willing to make the unimaginable choice to send their children away to protect them. It underscores the importance of kindness and the lengths to which people will go to protect others in times of crisis.