I take pleasure in announcing that “Megillat Esther: The Story of Esther”, the account of my mother, Irene Weinberg, and her survival as an Aryan Pole under the eyes of the Nazis in Lwow and Warsaw during the Shoah, including rare photos of the period, is now online at: http://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com/ce/thp/weinberg-01.htm . You are among the first to see the page before the site officially opens it to the full public.
Other photos of my mother can be found online through Galicia Jewish Museum of Krakow,
This is part of the ongoing research into the history of the Jewishpeople in Europe in the 20Th century that is being posted on my blog, http://karmisheli.blogspot.com.
The Museum of Family History, http://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com is an online virtual museum established by Steve Lasky. It is visual treasure trove of documents and images of Jewish life in recent history. The museum is dedicated to honoring and preserving the memory of our Jewish ancestors for the past and future generations. It attempts to do this through the use of text, photographs and audiovisual material. Many exhibitions are presented that have to do with Jewish history and culture, especially, but not exclusively, in countries such as the United States and those found on the European continent.
The Museum gives each of us the opportunity to honor our own family by becoming part of the museum, so Steve welcomes your material contributions. If you have any material that you think might be of interest to his “museum visitors”, that he may feature within his online museum, please contact him at steve@museumoffamilyhistory.com .
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Megillat Ester: The Story of Irene Weinberg
presented with love by her son Rabbi Norbert Weinberg
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In every age, the Jewish people saw the echo of the Scroll of Esther and the Festival of Purim in their struggle to survive. Out of the darkness, "Layehudim Hayetah Orah v Simchah" for the Jews, there shone light and joy. For my mother, out of the darkness, there came the light and joy of not only surviving, but of creating new life.
Purim provides the metaphor for my mother.
You see, my mother Irene Weinberg, Irka as she was nicknamed, was in Hebrew, Esther.
Esther was the name of public record for Hadassah. Esther was the name Hadassah used to save herself and her people. In the ancient languages of the Middle East, Esther was a pagan goddess, the morning star, Ishtar, Venus - but in Hebrew, Esther was derived from "nistar" [or] "Hidden" [in English]. By hiding her identity as a Jew and pretending to be a pagan on the outside, Hadassah, Esther becomes the Queen and saves not only herself but her people. In later Jewish lore, she is publicly the Queen, but in truth she is married to her uncle, Mordecai, the political figure and advisor.
You see, my mother, Irene-Esther, saved herself and others by hiding in plain sight....
To read the entire story about Irene Weinberg, please click here.
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