The Remarkable Tale Of The Holocaust Survivor Saved By A 2lb Joint Of Roast Beef
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The grandson of a Holocaust survivor has shared his remarkable story on Twitter - revealing that he can trace his very own existence back to a 2lb piece of meat, which kept his grandfather alive.
Stephen Black kicks the thread off by introducing his grandfather as Murray Goldfinger, a 91-year-old with an incredible 'tale of survival' that includes a particularly interesting story.
This is my grandfather, Murray Goldfinger. The tattoo, 161108, was given to him at Birkenau.
He's 91 and his health is failing. He told his tale of survival for 65 years. Now, I've taken the responsibility.
One part of his story always gets a big reaction from students. pic.twitter.com/SO5QrPWwkl
- Stephen Black (@stephenablack) April 12, 2018
Stephen then continues the story, explaining that Murray - who was born Monek - was on the 'Death March' when he was dropped a surprising lifeline.
January 1945. Murray (born Monek) was on The Death March west from Birkenau as Russian soldiers advanced from the east.
He was tired, cold, and hungry. He saw something in the air, descending towards him.
It hit him in the chest, and he caught it.
A 2-lb piece of roast beef. pic.twitter.com/FvIfLnQz1n
- Stephen Black (@stephenablack) April 12, 2018
Stephen explains Monek was 'shocked' and that, after looking around, he stuffed the beef under his shirt. Over the next two days, he tore small pieces from the joint and ate them on the sly.
He asked his grandfather if it was a 'gift from Heaven', but apparently the reality is 'much bleaker'.
The reality is bleaker.
The Nazis rode in tanks and jeeps alongside the march. One probably thought it'd be funny to toss the food into the crowd and watch the Jews fight over it.
It wouldn't have been the first time Monek witnessed Nazis take pleasure in torturing the Jews.
- Stephen Black (@stephenablack) April 12, 2018
"It didn't work out that way," Stephen explains in the next tweet.
"The marchers were too fatigued, many dying along the way. Monek was lucky. The roast beef's trajectory led straight to him."
He adds: "I can trace my own existence back to that piece of meat, which sustained Monek and gave him the energy to keep going."
His entire family including 8 siblings perished. Monek survived.
On April 11th, 1945, he was liberated from Buchenwald. We celebrate the date as a birthday, or Rebirth Day.
The path from ghettos to labor camps to concentration camps lasted 6 years, but it began before that. pic.twitter.com/lHbsj78ckv
- Stephen Black (@stephenablack) April 12, 2018
In later tweets Stephen says that he will not stand by as people today are targeted for their otherness.
"I am inspired by the younger generation's activism as they say #NeverAgain to needless death," he writes.
"Monek was compelled to tell his story to show the darkness we're capable of when hatred goes unchecked."
His path to the U.S. wasn't easy. He was only allowed to immigrate after a distant relative won a small fortune in the lottery and sponsored him.
- Stephen Black (@stephenablack) April 12, 2018
He rebuilt his life and has lived to see the birth of two great-grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/SI4qB4H7F8
Stephen also pledges to continue to tell his grandfather's story because he knows the fight is 'still ongoing'.
"It's a fight to prevent history from repeating but also to ensure that all human life is valued equally, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality, or ability," he adds.
Since his tweets have gone viral, Stephen said that his grandfather - or 'Poppy' as he calls him - has been moved to tears from the incredible response his story has received.
Truly inspirational.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Stephen Black
Topics: Inspirational, Interesting
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