How the magic of kindness helped me survive the Holocaust | Werner Reich

Summary

In a powerful recount of survival and hope, a man shares his harrowing experiences during the Holocaust. He reflects on a life-altering moment when a fellow prisoner, Mr. Levine, a professional magician, taught him a card trick in Auschwitz. This small act of kindness gave him strength and purpose, shaping his post-war journey. After enduring unimaginable suffering, he eventually became a speaker, using his story to inspire others. His message is simple yet profound: small gestures of kindness can have a lasting impact, providing hope and resilience even in the darkest times.

Takeaways

• 😀 The essential things in life are often invisible and can only be seen with the heart, as expressed in 'The Little Prince.'
• 😀 The narrator learned valuable life lessons in a concentration camp in Poland, emphasizing the importance of how we value and hold gifts in our hearts.
• 😀 The narrator's family fled from Nazi Germany to Yugoslavia, only to face persecution again when Germany invaded, forcing them into hiding.
• 😀 The narrator spent two years in hiding with a couple involved in the resistance movement, developing films and enlargements.
• 😀 At the age of 15, the narrator was arrested by the Gestapo, imprisoned, and later transported to Auschwitz, where millions had already perished.
• 😀 Upon arrival in Auschwitz, the narrator and others were stripped of their belongings, tattooed, and informed that they would die in the camp in six months.
• 😀 The narrator shared a bunk with Mr. Herbert Levine, a kind man who performed a card trick and explained it, sparking the narrator’s passion for magic.
• 😀 Despite the horrific conditions, the narrator practiced the card trick daily, which gave them a sense of purpose and hope.
• 😀 After being moved through several camps, the narrator survived a death march to Mauthausen and was liberated by American forces in 1945.
• 😀 The narrator later moved to England, where they learned English, built a life, and eventually performed the card trick in public for the first time, leading to a passion for magic.
• 😀 The act of kindness shown by Mr. Levine, a professional magician who survived the Holocaust, played a pivotal role in the narrator’s recovery and later success in life, emphasizing the power of small gestures of compassion.

Q & A

What is the significance of the quote 'It's only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible.' in the speaker's story?

The quote highlights the idea that true value in life is not always visible or material. The speaker uses it to convey how, despite the brutal circumstances in concentration camps, it was the intangible qualities of kindness, hope, and human connection that truly mattered and helped him survive.

How did the speaker's early experiences in Germany and Yugoslavia shape his understanding of survival?

The speaker's early experiences in Germany, where he faced persecution, and his time in Yugoslavia, where he initially found refuge, instilled in him the reality of how quickly circumstances could change. These experiences taught him to adapt and survive, and later, they reinforced the importance of kindness and human connection during times of suffering.

Why was the card trick performed by Mr. Levine so significant to the speaker?

The card trick was significant because it represented an act of kindness in the midst of suffering. It provided the speaker with a brief escape from the horrors of Auschwitz and became a symbol of hope. The trick also served as a learning moment that stayed with him throughout his life, becoming a tool for connection and communication with others.

How did the speaker’s survival in the concentration camps reflect his inner strength?

The speaker's survival was a testament to his resilience and mental strength. He endured unimaginable hardships—such as forced labor, the constant threat of death, and the emotional trauma of losing loved ones—yet he held onto small acts of kindness and hope, like the card trick, which helped him persevere through the darkest times.

What role did the simple act of kindness by Mr. Levine play in the speaker's post-war life?

Mr. Levine's kindness played a crucial role in the speaker's recovery after the war. The memory of the card trick helped the speaker rebuild his life, providing him with a means to connect with others. Later, when he became a public speaker, this act of kindness helped him communicate messages of hope and resilience to young audiences.

What does the speaker mean by 'there is a very, very thin line between a hobby and insanity'?

The speaker is reflecting on how his passion for magic and card tricks, which began as a way to cope with his past trauma, could have easily turned into an obsession. The line between a harmless interest and something consuming was blurred, but ultimately, magic became a means of healing and communication rather than an escape into madness.

What was the significance of the speaker's experience of being a part of a death march in January 1945?

The death march was a brutal and life-threatening experience, where most prisoners died from exhaustion or were killed. The speaker's survival of the march emphasized his resilience and determination to live, despite the overwhelming odds. It was a pivotal moment in his journey, showing the depths of human endurance under extreme conditions.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of small gestures, like teaching a card trick, in helping others?

The speaker emphasizes small gestures because they can have a profound and lasting impact on someone’s emotional well-being, particularly in difficult times. Acts of kindness can provide hope, alleviate fear, and build connections that make life more bearable, as evidenced by the card trick that changed his life.

What did the speaker learn from the experience of being stripped of his property and tattooed in Auschwitz?

The experience of being stripped of his property and tattooed symbolized the dehumanization and loss of identity faced by concentration camp prisoners. The speaker learned that, despite the brutal treatment, his inner strength and humanity could not be taken away. The event was a stark reminder of the depths of cruelty but also the resilience of the human spirit.

How does the speaker suggest we should approach others who are struggling or scared?

The speaker suggests that we should approach those who are struggling or scared with kindness and empathy. Simple acts like offering advice, a hug, or teaching a small skill can make a world of difference, providing hope and emotional support that can help someone face their challenges.