Yom HaShoah is somber day of remembrance for those of Jewish heritage. It is one of the most solemn days of the year, as Jews around the world remember their six million ancestors killed during WWII by the Nazi regime.
The living Jews of today know what a miracle it is for them to even be alive. Many, like Jessica Glatt, are decedents of holocaust survivors who were the only from their families to escape the massacre alive.
Her grandfather, Max Durst, endured several concentration camps–including Auschwitz and Ebensee–while his brother, parents, and almost all of his extended family were murdered during the war. Her grandmother, Anna Durst, was also the sole survivor from her family.
Somehow, Max and Anna didn’t just survive. They thrived. The two met, married, moved to the U.S., and had three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Jessica knew that the lives of her and her children were complete miracles. She also knew that with every passing year, fewer and fewer holocaust survivors remained alive.
She had photos with her grandparents, but after her first child was born, the powerful reality of how so many fortunate events had to happen for her daughter to even exist hit her hard.
She wanted to find a way to try and capture this incredible reality, which is when she came up with the idea of photographing her daughter, Harli, cradled in her grandfathers arms. What makes the picture so powerful is that on full display is her grandfather’s concentration camp tattoo, a glaring reminder of the evils he had to endure in order for baby Harli to come into existence.
“This mark of evil…also radiates the very essence of survival….[the photograph is] beautiful. It is painful. It is my history and my future inextricably linked.”
Her grandparents couldn’t believe the amount of positive attention the photograph has received. Speaking with TODAY, Glatt shared:
“They were so very moved by people’s reactions and were simply incredulous that the photo would evoke such a positive response and from the sheer number of people!
The fact that all of the wonderful comments and likes were coming in from people of all different religions and ethnicities made it even more touching for them.”
Jessica hopes that the photo will serve to keep alive the memories of all who lost their lives during this evil time in history. She knows it will one day be a treasure to Harli, now 6.
“Being the grandchild of survivors, I carry both the burdens and the responsibilities of remembering the Holocaust within me,” she said.
“My husband and I hope to eventually find a meaningful way to commemorate the day together as a family when our children are a little bit older.”
The post Powerfully Moving Photo Captures Holocaust Survivor Holding His Great-Grandchild appeared first on UpliftingToday.com.
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