Or, put differently: The 0.016% of Europe’s Six Million Jews America Saved in WW II.
A letter from Dr. Adam Munz, one of 982 refugees (874 were Jews) allowed into the USA in 1944, was found in a box of my late mother’s keepsakes. This is the extraordinary story of their rescue, internment and eventual freedom.
I wonder how many unknown Holocaust stories like this one exist in America's dark dusty basements. There is so so much we don't know, so much information that has been withheld from so many. Thanks so much for sharing this story, Vivian.
Thanks for reading and the feedback, Jen. I suspect that there are so many stories that will never see the light of day. I came upon all of this by chance. When I found that letter....? Wow.
This story seems minor in the context of the murdered 6 million, but it's not. It's a part of that context that was obscure until now. Thank you for bringing it to light.
Thanks, Miriam. Each story and life, as the saying goes, is a world. Imagine, that each person who was murdered in that unimaginable time.....has a story. And they will never be told. I agree with you.....it is not minor. In fact, it heightens the fact that there are millions of stories like this but with far worse endings.
Thanks, Zev. I was blown away by this story, about which I'd known nothing. And there's a whole sidebar story about a monument erected at the site in 1981 and how it was immediately defaced. Which goes to your point......of the sad reality of the day then and now.
Shloime Perel, here, from Montreal. Thanks very much, Vivian, for your wonderful, informative article. It turns out the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC has an oral history interview with Adam Munz, which can be easily found online. In addition, there are several references to Adam in Ruth Gr Uber’s book “Haven.”
PS. There is also an easily found online history of the Fort Ontario State Historic Site, the camp to which Bruno Munz and the other refugees were confined.
Thanks, Shloime. I'll definitely look up the oral history.....as for Ruth Gruber's book....Haven.....I learned a lot from reading it and acknowledged that in my piece. Apparently Oswego also features in the four-part series on US government conduct in WWII vis a vis European Jews. But I haven't seen that yet.....it's an interesting story that cannot be told too often, imo.
I wonder how many unknown Holocaust stories like this one exist in America's dark dusty basements. There is so so much we don't know, so much information that has been withheld from so many. Thanks so much for sharing this story, Vivian.
Thanks for reading and the feedback, Jen. I suspect that there are so many stories that will never see the light of day. I came upon all of this by chance. When I found that letter....? Wow.
This story seems minor in the context of the murdered 6 million, but it's not. It's a part of that context that was obscure until now. Thank you for bringing it to light.
Thanks, Miriam. Each story and life, as the saying goes, is a world. Imagine, that each person who was murdered in that unimaginable time.....has a story. And they will never be told. I agree with you.....it is not minor. In fact, it heightens the fact that there are millions of stories like this but with far worse endings.
Incredibly touching & a sad reality of the day then & the state of antisemitism now.
My mother-in-law died just a couple of weeks ago Vivian & I can only guess what you are going through.
Thanks, Zev. I was blown away by this story, about which I'd known nothing. And there's a whole sidebar story about a monument erected at the site in 1981 and how it was immediately defaced. Which goes to your point......of the sad reality of the day then and now.
Shloime Perel, here, from Montreal. Thanks very much, Vivian, for your wonderful, informative article. It turns out the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC has an oral history interview with Adam Munz, which can be easily found online. In addition, there are several references to Adam in Ruth Gr Uber’s book “Haven.”
PS. There is also an easily found online history of the Fort Ontario State Historic Site, the camp to which Bruno Munz and the other refugees were confined.
Shloime Perel
Thanks, Shloime. I'll definitely look up the oral history.....as for Ruth Gruber's book....Haven.....I learned a lot from reading it and acknowledged that in my piece. Apparently Oswego also features in the four-part series on US government conduct in WWII vis a vis European Jews. But I haven't seen that yet.....it's an interesting story that cannot be told too often, imo.
Vivian - I am Adam Munz’s daughter! This is a beautiful article - Please contact me. rfastman3@gmail.com
Fabulous and insightful article. You filled in what, for us, was a missing piece of our tragic history.
H&S Naftolin
Thanks for reading and the feedback, Harvey and Sylvia. I felt the same - that it's an important piece of a story to be told.