Michael Zylberberg was born in Plotsk, Poland, in 1906, into a rabbinical family. He qualified to teach Hebraic history and literature in Warsaw and proceeded to work in a number of schools there, from 1933-1939. After the outbreak of World War II he was active in the Warsaw ghetto organising illegal schools for thousands of homeless children. During 1940-1941 he lived at 33 Chlodna Street, the same building where Janusz Korczaks Orphanage was located. After the Warsaw ghetto rising in 1943 he managed to escape to the Aryan side of Warsaw, where he lived for 2 years passing off as a Christian. Years after the end of the war he was contacted by someone who had discovered his manuscript diary and notes. He published his diary under the title A Warsaw Diary in 1969. There are numerous valuable historical details never before revealed. Several chapters and notes are on Janusz Korczak. There is detailed information about the Orphanage when at 33 Chlodna Street as well as numerous notes about 16 Sienna Street and activities there.
Whilst conditions in the ghetto were tough, some inhabitants were determined to continue the cultural aspects of their previous life. Janusz Korczak was among them. Despite education being banned by Nazis at almost all levels, there were schools throughout the ghetto. Adults could also attend seminars and lectures, often led by those at the top of their field.
The historian Emanuel Ringelblum in collaboration with others resisted Nazi rule from within the ghetto by creating an archive documenting the Nazi crimes. Ringelblum’s collection became known as the Oyneg Shabes archive. Facing the threat of deportation to Treblinka extermination camp, Oyneg Shabes buried their extensive collection in milk cans and metal boxes to prevent the archive from falling into the hands of the Nazis.
Jews also physically resisted the Nazi rule. The largest and most significant case of armed resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto was the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943.
It is a story about a Masada play performed in the Warszawa Ghetto while Korczaks Orphanage was located at 33 Chlodna Street.
The dramatic history behind one of the great landmarks of ancient Israel. In the spring of 73 AD, the rock fortress of Masada on the western shore of the Dead Sea was the site of an event that was breathtaking in its courage and self-sacrifice. Here the last of the Jewish Zealots who, for nearly eight years, had waged war against the Roman occupiers of their country made their last stand. The Zealots on Masada had withstood a two-year siege but with Roman victory finally assured, they faced two options: capture or death. They chose the latter, and when the Roman legions forced their way into the hill fort the following morning they were met only with utter silence by row upon row of bodies. Rather than fall into enemy hands the 960 men, women, and children who had defended the fortress so heroically had committed suicide. The story of the siege and eventual capture of Masada is unique, not just in Israeli legend but in the history of the world. It is a story of bravery that even the Roman legionaries, well used to death and brutality, could see and appreciate. It was a massacre but a massacre with a difference: carried out by the victims themselves. This book tells the story, covering the excavation of the remote hilltop site in the twentieth century.
Korczaks Ghetto Uprise
Afterward, we asked Dr. Korczak how he could have done such a thing. Hadn't he noticed people leaving? Did he not realize that he was placing us all in terrible danger? He merely smiled and said, "The people who left are fools. What is there to be afraid of? Surely Jews can say what they think amongst themselves. Are you afraid of spies, or that someone will give me away? I don't think Jews would repeat any of this-they are all enemies of the 'New Order." Undoubtedly, Korczak believed what he was saying. He could not imagine that there were Jews willing to tell the Germans anything that would incriminate their comrades. This was typical of his character: his standards and values were high and based on loyalty and trust. But during those first few months in the ghetto, he had been in some ways a different person: he could never have done what he did at the concert.
Ale mentshn zaynen brider:
shvartse, vayse, broyne, gelbe
Andersh zaynen nor di faron
di natur iz dokh di zelbe!
White, Brown, Black, Yellow –
mix the colors all together!
All people are brothers,
From the same father, from the same mother!
And one God has created them all,
and one homeland: the world –
all people are brothers,
that is absolutely certain!
All people are brothers
Black, White, Brown, Yellow…
only the colors are different –
but their Nature is the same!
All human beings are brothers,
Yellow, Brown, Black, White…
nations, races, and climates –
it’s all an Enlightenment fiction!
“The periodical is like a bouquet made up of different flowers. There is no doubt that the bouquet is more beautiful when we can choose its flowers from a wider selection”.
Janusz Korczak, O gazetce szkolnej, Warszawa 1921
Whilst conditions in the ghetto were tough, some inhabitants were determined to continue the cultural aspects of their previous life. Janusz Korczak was among them. Despite education being banned by Nazis at almost all levels, there were schools throughout the ghetto. Adults could also attend seminars and lectures, often led by those at the top of their field.
The historian Emanuel Ringelblum in collaboration with others resisted Nazi rule from within the ghetto by creating an archive documenting the Nazi crimes. Ringelblum’s collection became known as the Oyneg Shabes archive. Facing the threat of deportation to Treblinka extermination camp, Oyneg Shabes buried their extensive collection in milk cans and metal boxes to prevent the archive from falling into the hands of the Nazis.
Jews also physically resisted the Nazi rule. The largest and most significant case of armed resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto was the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943.
It is a story about a Masada play performed in the Warszawa Ghetto while Korczaks Orphanage was located at 33 Chlodna Street.
The dramatic history behind one of the great landmarks of ancient Israel. In the spring of 73 AD, the rock fortress of Masada on the western shore of the Dead Sea was the site of an event that was breathtaking in its courage and self-sacrifice. Here the last of the Jewish Zealots who, for nearly eight years, had waged war against the Roman occupiers of their country made their last stand. The Zealots on Masada had withstood a two-year siege but with Roman victory finally assured, they faced two options: capture or death. They chose the latter, and when the Roman legions forced their way into the hill fort the following morning they were met only with utter silence by row upon row of bodies. Rather than fall into enemy hands the 960 men, women, and children who had defended the fortress so heroically had committed suicide. The story of the siege and eventual capture of Masada is unique, not just in Israeli legend but in the history of the world. It is a story of bravery that even the Roman legionaries, well used to death and brutality, could see and appreciate. It was a massacre but a massacre with a difference: carried out by the victims themselves. This book tells the story, covering the excavation of the remote hilltop site in the twentieth century.
Korczaks Ghetto Uprise
But the evening did not end there. During the tumultuous applause, we suddenly noticed Dr. Korczak up on the platform. We all thought he merely wanted to thank the guests and the artists, which he did, but he then asked us to bear with him while he read some brief poems he had very recently written. The concert seemed to be starting again. He drew a few sheets of paper from his pocket and started to read aloud. The poems were heavy with satire--they described a small black mustache, a large fat belly, a hunchback, and, finally, an elegant dandy. Amid the scorn and mockery was a pervading regret that these people should hold the fate of many millions in their hands. He mentioned no
names, but everyone knew he was referring to Hitler, Goering, Goebbels, and our own hangman, Hans Frank, the boss of the "New Order" in Poland.
People listened and were horrified. Had Korczak gone mad? Some of them even slunk out of the hall and ran home in terror, but Korczak did not even notice. He went on calmly reading to
names, but everyone knew he was referring to Hitler, Goering, Goebbels, and our own hangman, Hans Frank, the boss of the "New Order" in Poland.
People listened and were horrified. Had Korczak gone mad? Some of them even slunk out of the hall and ran home in terror, but Korczak did not even notice. He went on calmly reading to
the few who had stayed behind--the house tenants.
But in time he changed completely, speaking frankly about "the
murderers and outcasts of society"
. The tenants' windows were
forgotten and he was not afraid to denounce his enemies in public.
shvartse, vayse, broyne, gelbe
Andersh zaynen nor di faron
di natur iz dokh di zelbe!
White, Brown, Black, Yellow –
mix the colors all together!
All people are brothers,
From the same father, from the same mother!
And one God has created them all,
and one homeland: the world –
all people are brothers,
that is absolutely certain!
All people are brothers
Black, White, Brown, Yellow…
only the colors are different –
but their Nature is the same!
All human beings are brothers,
Yellow, Brown, Black, White…
nations, races, and climates –
it’s all an Enlightenment fiction!
“The periodical is like a bouquet made up of different flowers. There is no doubt that the bouquet is more beautiful when we can choose its flowers from a wider selection”.
Janusz Korczak, O gazetce szkolnej, Warszawa 1921
