r/Judaism • u/justjust000 • Jan 20 '26

We're what's left 😄

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Link to original Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ3AkViofr

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u/njtalp46 Jan 20 '26

I know hard data is the best proof, but this rings true on an intuitive level. 

One anecdote: my grandfather survived because he was rebellious and hated shtetl life. I heard the story of him eating ham and getting punched in the face by his father. But that spirit also made him willing to hang out with Russian soldiers when they moved into town. The same Russian soldiers who liked him and offered him a lift (alone, no family) when they pulled out ahead of the German invasion. 8 immediate family died, he lived. 

I'd say that was pretty selfish of him. 

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u/justjust000 Jan 21 '26

That sounds like an interesting tale. Did he ever write down his memoir?

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u/njtalp46 Jan 21 '26

No unfortunately, but an oral recollection was logged by a Holocaust museum

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u/justjust000 Jan 22 '26

Nice. Do you have any links?

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u/njtalp46 Jan 22 '26

I don't want to share since it'll doxx my account. But so many survivor stories are magnificent and worth listening to

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u/justjust000 Jan 22 '26

Absolutely