Holocaust Biography
Date Published: December 10, 2024
Publisher: Book Publishers USA
This narrative gives us a detailed chronicle of the turbulent life of Rebbe
Aryeh Leibish Gottesman Zt”l. Beginning from his childhood years, with
the next chapters bringing alive the years of pain he endured in the most
horrendous period of the holocaust. Following the highly interesting period
detailing his formative years in America, that gives us a glimpse of the
post-trauma that a war survivor lived with. His scars and pain and loss that
accompanied him for the next seventy years
When he was still but a child and a young bochur, little Leibish fought
ferociously against life’s odds to learn Torah in times that
antisemitism was common in the little town in Czech where he lived. After
suffering all the horrors of Auschwitz, Dachau, and more, when he lost both
his parents and family, except for one surviving brother. R’ Leibish
threw upon himself again with happiness and fortitude to accept the yoke of
learning Torah. First in the city of Serdaheli and then in the famed Nitra
Yeshiva in America, where he became one of the most notable and close
students of the renowned Torah giant and distinguished war activist Hagaon
Hatzaddik Rebbe Michoel Ber Weissmandel ZT”L. He stood out in the
front line of Talmudei Chachomim of the first generation after the
war.
The next step in life was when with his diligence and persistence he grew
to be a major Gaon that illuminated the path for many many students and
breathed a life of Torah up to his final moment.
EXCERPT
A quote from father’s mother Sura when they were rounded up for Auschwitz.
Another point is that it is an important factor in this story. In Hungary, a suitable title would be added before everyone’s name. Our grandmother was Known as “the Shochetneni” (resembling her husband’s vocation).
Having these two points in mind, we can conjure the picture of our grandmother being forced to the train station with her family. She was on her own, without her husband, who had brutally been taken away. Suddenly, the family maid ran up to her, shouting: “Shochetneni, you have such beautiful daughters. It is a shame that they should be killed. Please leave them behind, and I will raise them…”. It was a moment’s decision, but our grandmother answered firmly: “Hashem gave me these children. If I cannot raise them as he would want me to, I am willingly giving them back to Hashem!” (page 180)
About the Author
My name is Emil Gottesman and I am 67 years old, married and blessed with a
family of children and grandchildren. Owner of a medium size US Customs
House Broker and Freight Forwarder company. In my community, I’m known by my
Hebrew name Amrom Gottesman.
Born to my Parents R’ Leibish and Rickel Gottesman, both Holocaust
survivors, raised and still live my life, with strong values of family,
religion, and faith
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