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The following photo is the PROMPT. Keep in mind that all photos are the property of the contributor, therefore copyrighted and require express permission to use for purposes other than Friday Fictioneers. Giving credit to whom credit is due is proper etiquette.
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
As my life has taken some spins and dives of late, my muse didn’t seem to want to come up with anything new. This week, January 27, 2023, marks the 78th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. I feel it’s more important than ever to post a reminder with antisemitism and racist hatred on the rise. How can intelligent people become animals and beasts? The following is a snippet of an interview I had the honor of doing with survivor Sonia Warshawski, fondly known as “Big Sonia” seven years ago.
Genre: Interview
Word Count:100
THE INTERVIEW
“For I’m gon’ tell you,” says Sonia, a colorful and imposing presence at 4 feet 8 inches tall. “It happened so slowly. Not all at once.
“The soldiers line up rabbis in the street and made us watch them rip out their beards by the roots. Then they shot them.
“I’ll never forget. In front of me they slaughter babies. I’ll never forgive.
“Silence kills.” Her intense brown eyes dig trenches in my heart. “I tell you what is not in history books. As long as God gives me power, I will speak for them.”
This interviewer will never forget.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Horrifying!
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Indeed, Reena. Beyond horrifying.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is mind numbing.
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Yes, it is, Sadje. Thank you for the read and the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure
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How terrible humans can be!
You found some grim history there, Rochelle!
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Dear Mason,
This history found me when I was asked to interview Big Sonia. She’s a wonderful lady with a mission. Although this was 7 years ago I think she’s still alive and kicking butt. Humans can be the worst of all beasts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope she’s still on her mission!
There is no beast more eviler a d greedier than a human.
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The awful thing is, it keeps happening.
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True that, Neil. 😦
Shalom (please)
Rochelle
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It is shocking that humans can do such horrific things to other humans. Thanks for the reminder – I wish we didn’t need such reminders, but looking at the world around us, we do 😦 It must have been amazing to interview her, even if the stories she had to tell were so awful.
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Dear Trent,
It was an unforgettable interview. Not that I think I was anything special as the interviewer. She was witty, giving and determined to tell the truth to anyone who’d listen. I only got the job because a friend who was supposed to do the interview couldn’t make it. I win. 😀
It is horrible what people are capable of. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, that left me breathless.
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Thank you, Loré!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And as we think we have grown past this dehumanizing and terrible history, racism & antisemitism is on the rise. Can we not learn from the past?
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Dear Jan,
Apparently not. 😦
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Brings tears…always does. When I first read Anne Frank’s Diary back in grade school… I questioned what was it that made man so evil inside. From that point on, I studied every piece of writing I could find on the Halocaust, interviewed many survivors, worked as a home health caregiver to many as well. It was a question that has no answer, yet many…. most of the time it begins with simple ignorance. Ignorance to misunderstandings… and of course the presence of the Evil One in the world. Persons whose minds are easily swayed will believe anything they are told… they’ve lost the ability to think for themselves – a sad reality seen all too often. And I think so dearly of my friend, Miss Sarah, who survived Mengele’s evil… her twin survived the war by days, but succumbed to infections. For them, I will not be silent.
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Dear Bear,
Tears are what I was going for. This is my way of not keeping silent. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sad part of our human history.
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It is sad, Chioma. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my God, I am so sorry. I am so sorry. I looked at the photo and I didn’t even think about it. Not about that. My wife and children are Jewish. I hate and detest anti-Semitism and all the Nazis stood for. And yet when I wrote my story, I still celebrated life over death.
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Dear James,
No need for apologies. I don’t expect anyone to follow my “lead” in subject matter. It’s up to each individual to write what the photo inspires them to write. And Life should be celebrated. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a thing to have witnessed, and yet still to have somehow carried on with life. An inspiration, and of course, a warning.
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Dear Iain,
Sonia represents a dwindling number of survivors who’ve overcome and forged productive lives. I appreciate the fact that these testimonies have been recorded. May we never forget.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course we will never forget. I watched a programme this week about how the holocaust began, and how the local people were complicit in the systematic extermination of their neighbours. I sometimes wonder what it must be like to grow up Jewish, knowing that horror is embedded in ones history. Or to grow up in Germany, where the collective guilt still lurks.
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Dear Liz,
I have some German friends who are way too young to have had anything to do with the atrocities. They do indeed carry the guilt. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m lost for words.
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The perfect compliment, Keith. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Honestly, I sometimes think the humans are the virus and we should let the ‘germs’ go ahead and do away with us. So many terrible things happen and have happened because people didn’t like the way another group looked, lived or believed.
The history books are horrific in themselves, but to know that time and time again they were the sanitised version just makes me sick.
I hope the spins and dives are coming to an end and you have some highs on the horizon.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
I agree. Humans can be the most dispicable form of monster. Frankenstein’s monster was nothing by comparision.
As for the spins and dives…some have brought disappointment such as a pulled oblique muscle that’s keeping me from swimming. The other thing is a good, but time consuming. My novel came back from the publisher with many suggestions from the editor. It is an emotional endeavor, suggesting I slaughter a few darlings. Most I do willingly because I agree.
So there are highs along the way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Never Again.” I think history is forgotten the instance prejudice appears. I have witnessed Bosnia and Kosovo at first hand–although not on the same scale as the Holocaust–but for the individuals caught up in the trauma it was awful.
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Dear James,
Atrocities and Genocide are horrible on any scale. We remember the Holocaust for the systematic slaughter coupled with the Nazi’s perfect record keeping. We say never again as it happens all around us. Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hatred is an awful side of humanity… and flairs up all to often
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True story, Michael. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Never forget.
Never again.
Never accept silence.
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Amen and amen.
Shalom in the truest sense.
Rochelle
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xoxo
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Thanks for sharing this. Her story will be carried in all of us.
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Dear Clare,
Whenever possible I share these stories. My small bit to keep it in front of a few…and hopefully many more. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t think any of us will know the totality of the horrors that happened during those times. Thanks for sharing this.
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Dear Lish,
Just when I think there couldnt possibly be a story I haven’t heard or read, I’m proven wrong. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So powerful.
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It would difficult to hear the stories of such a tragedy, not seen from 10,000 feet but from street level, as it were. So terrible. Thank you for sharing. Never forget.
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Dear David,
It’s hard to look at, but must not be turned away from. Anu zokhrim. We remember. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for the reminder, Rochelle.
Hate-based genocide. War. Battle. Killing. Torture. Things humans seem to have been good at (and often enjoyed) from the beginning. Been trying to read through “They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45” by Milton Sanford Mayer. Enlightening but the denials and delusions can be frustrating.
I hope your life levels off and that your muse better serves you soon.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
My muse is so busy rewriting my novel, it’s hard for her to lend any spare head space to even 100 extra words. 😉
On top of all the fun things, I pulled an oblique muscle two weeks ago and have stayed away from swimming to avoid further injury. It was quite painful at first. It’s still a nagging pain and I’m chomping at the bit to get back in the water.
I think the biggest horror of the Nazi holocaust is how calculated and systematic it was. Not to mention the Nazis were proficient documenters. So it boggles my mind that anyone could be ignorant enough to deny it happened.
When the opprotunity arises I will remind. 😉 Thank you for your continued participation and support.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Recover swiftly, Rochelle.
I have mentioned that since I’m relatively new to FF, it’s always new to me. It is other writing and art that I put off.
My exercise routine is alternate days of walking and swimming. Fortunately, swimming has be less damaging than walking.
In my opinion, Holocaust denial is neither rational nor irrational. It is just more hate.
I hope your wet again soon.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Rochelle,
Just as powerful to read today as when you first posted it. It should never be forgotten.
Shalom and lotsa love, not hate,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
And your comments are just as sweet and appreciated as they were then. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa inclusive and loving hugs,
Rochelle
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🤗😘
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i felt an overwhelming sadness when i visited the auschwitz and birkenau concentration camps in 2009 and the mauthausen concentration camp in austria in 2014. i just couldn’t believe part of the human race was capable of such atrocities. never again, but it seems like a hopeless pursuit.
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Dear Plaridel,
I can’t imagine what it’s like to actually stand in those places. I know how I felt at Yad V’Shem in Israel, listening to the names of murdered children recited in a hall of mirrors. Will we ever learn?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear “Bird-Woman-of-Belton” WTF,
Thank you for being an advocate for those who can no longer give first-hand accounts of those horrors. And your posts which honor those who did what they could to save lives.
Perhaps if the Chiefs attend Boot Camp, they’ll survice the Bengals.
Hardly MIlldew
Host of “Lifestyles of The Old & Decrepit”
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Dear Harly Mildew,
How ’bout them Chiefs!
As long as I can hold pen to paper or fingers to keyboard I’ll write these stories. Thank you.
Shalom,
Bird-Woman of Belton W(T)F
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We have to treasure our living pillars of history and learn everything we can from them.
I hope you get your life back to flying straight and high soon. Those spins and dives are no fun.
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Dear Nobbin,
I’m hoping the spins will stop and I can once more dive in to the pool. Pulled oblique muscle is keeping me dry but not so high. Meanwhile, novel edits are taking up any head space I have left for FF.
Indeed these pillars must be treasured. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There are no words – thanks for sharing ❤
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Thank you for reading, Angela.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My heart hurts for the witnessor of such depravity. A very well-written account, Rochelle.
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Dear Lisa,
Sonia is a determined lady. It’s probably what kept her alive. Thank you. re my account.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome. Bless Sonia for making sure we do not ever forget and filling in the blanks.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A powerful message.
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Thank you, Athling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the reminder of the horrors so we never forget. It’s important as we struggle to not repeat the past. But, when will we learn? Heavy sigh. I do love that quote and have used it many times. Hoping life levels out for you soon. Have a nice weekend, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
I’m not sure the human race will ever figure it out. The victims of tyrants everywhere can attest to that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just read your fab story as well as about Big Sonia’. What evil resides in human hearts. Beasts all. I shudder at the atrocities perpetrated by man on man.
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Dear Neel,
We should all be shuddering. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Speak, Sonia, Speak!
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😀
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Oh my gosh, simply awful. It terrifies me. People are still like this. We can never be silent
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I just saw the PBS video about “Big Sonia” and recognized she lives in your town. Sure enough.
Such strength, such endurance. Such terrible atrocities she has witnessed and survived. Thank god she has the courage to speak out and try to get people, as she says, to take the hate from their hearts.
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She is an tower of strength even at 4’8″. Very welcoming person. Interviewing her was a moment I’ll never forget. 😀
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Her towering power comes through the screen. In person must have been electrifying.
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