I Seek a Kind Person by Julian Borger review – the small ads that saved Jewish children from the Nazis
Borger’s account of how pleas in the Manchester Guardian by Viennese parents trying to rescue their children – one of them his father – from the Holocaust is gripping and powerful.
A Family Haunted by the Holocaust
Julian Borger grew up with a sense of unease and mystery surrounding his family's past. His father, Robert, a Viennese Jew, had escaped Nazi persecution and arrived in England in 1938. But the details of Robert's journey and the emotional toll it took on the family were shrouded in silence. In 1983, Robert took his own life, prompting Julian to delve deeper into his family history.
Julian discovered that his grandfather Leo had placed an advertisement in the Manchester Guardian in 1938, seeking a kind person to educate his son, Robert. This revelation propelled Julian on a quest to uncover the stories of other children who were saved from the Nazis through similar ads. Julian's book tells the gripping and powerful tales of seven of these children, shedding light on their experiences during and after the war.
The book also uncovers Julian's own family history, revealing the untold stories of his great aunt Malci and her stepson Mordechaj, who played important roles in the Austrian Jewish resistance. Through these stories, Julian gains a deeper understanding of his father's emotional landscape and the legacy of inherited trauma.
A Journey of Survival
Among the children featured in Julian's book is Gertrude Langer, who made it to England but later had to flee to Shanghai when her parents managed to escape there. In Shanghai, Gertrude found solace in a vibrant community of fellow Viennese refugees but faced new challenges when the Japanese occupied the city. She eventually secured passage to the US, overcoming financial obstacles along the way.
Another survivor, George Mandler, found refuge in the US and later returned to Europe as part of American military intelligence. He used his position to extract information from captured German soldiers, contributing to the war effort. Julian's research reveals the diverse and resilient paths taken by these children in their quest for survival.
The book also introduces Lisbeth Weiss, one of the children who managed to survive and is still alive at the age of 91. Her memories provide Julian with a glimpse into the world his father came from and helps him piece together his own family history.
Uncovering Hidden Stories
Julian's book stands out among the existing literature on Viennese Jewish lives during the war by focusing on the small advertisements placed in the Manchester Guardian. These ads served as desperate pleas from parents trying to save their children, encapsulating their stories in a few poignant lines. Through extensive research, Julian brings these stories to life, showcasing the resilience and bravery of those who managed to escape the horrors of the Holocaust.
The book also touches on the delicate balance of remembering and moving forward. Julian reflects on the importance of finding a middle ground between dwelling on traumatic memories and avoiding them altogether. For him, writing this book not only unearths feelings of resentment but also provides a deeper understanding of his father and the complex emotions tied to inherited trauma.
This gripping account of survival and resilience adds a valuable perspective to the literature on the Holocaust. Julian's exploration of his own family history sheds light on the untold stories of those who were saved and serves as a reminder of the power of hope and kindness in the face of unimaginable adversity.
