I had an interesting experience last night. My daughter (age 16) who is a history nut, was very interested in seeing a "lecture" by a man who was being billed as "the youngest Holocaust survivor at Auschwitz." He was introduced as a scholar and a philosopher, but he didn't come across like one to me at all and I think he is touring and has delivered this speech many times, yet he is not a very polished speaker. He is a Rabbi named Nissen Mangel and he did indeed survive Auschwitz and other camps at age 10, which apparently is remarkable (the age), because he claimed it was standard practice to kill the Jewish children. In addition to surviving the death camp ordeals, he also survived two encounters with none other than Josef Mengele (who I assume needs no introduction). Both times, he survived on his wits and guts. The 90 minute speech, which was hard to understand at times because English is not this man's primary language, was interesting and a bit moving (but he never played on anyone's emotion intentionally and never became emotional himself). My only problem with the whole thing was that he credited God and his faith for his survival when he really should have simply shared his experiences and not used them as a platform to expand the Jewish faith, or to convince anyone of the existence of a god. I have great respect and sympathy for what this man lived through, which is remarkable in the extreme, but I'll pass on God, thanks. Your comments are welcomed. =]
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.In reading the comments I came to realize that at least for me I hope we are not perpetuating another historical nightmare. Trump is following in the procedure Hitler took. My he not succeed.
dalefvictor
Level 8
June 20, 2018
0
I feel like I could read every book and article, watch every documentary and news report, and talk to every living survivor and I STILL will not be able to comprehend what it was like to be in their shoes. His experience was that God DID get him through it, and I actually take a small amount of comfort in knowing that a ten year old boy had something to believe in and give him strength and hope at such a time in his life, as did many others around him. I've always felt that Holocaust survivors are one of a small group of people that deserve such a high level of respect (that we can't reach) that they should be exempt from any and all opinions and criticisms.
Jenelle
Level 6
Feb 3, 2018
1
I think you have already said , and marked, for yourself what you need to have taken from this mans speech. Most of my atheist friends are adept at puzzling then realising that attributes to gods power are superfluous to requirements and can be dropped or edited out at a later date when we realise what we heard invoked the supernatural.
jacpod
Level 8
Feb 2, 2018
2
Right, I get that. This man is using the experience to spread his conviction that it had to have been divine intervention that got him through these experiences. His logic was that there is no way anyone could have faced death so many times and survived without assistance from God (in his case). This lecture was open to the public, but was sponsored by, among others, the local Jewish Synagogue. In his introduction of the main speaker, the local Rabbi spoke briefly about the establishment and growth of the Synagogue. I went there primarily because my daughter is fascinated with history and, in-particular, with Holocaust history and I want to support her in any educational interest she has. Again, I have nothing but respect for this man and what he endured. Even his own accounting of the few things he had time to talk about could not adequately describe how horrible it must have been, particularly for a child of 10. As I said in my post, my only issue was that this lecture, although billed as educational, was used as a proselytizing platform. I can personally parse the real information from it, and so can my daughter, but there were many impressionable minds there who could not. I appreciate your, and everyone else's comments. Thanks!
Maybe its something he needs to believe just to make sense of it, I am not sure maybe the memories are too painful he clings to anything to help him. My argument with those who believe in god isnt that they do its when they try to impose their faith on you and use their faith to control others.
Rayforyou
Level 2
Feb 2, 2018
3
He may be telling the truth, speculating that it may have been his faith that had beneficial effects for this survival. I'm talking about a mindset, not superstitions.
RobCampbell
Level 7
Feb 2, 2018
2
If he wants to thank or pay tribute to a non-existent being, that's his choice. I don't think we should become as thin-skinned as evangelicals.
tioteo
Level 8
Feb 1, 2018
4
If we want to be respected for our non-belief then we need to respect those who believe. Neither should force the other.
Maybe God listened to him. The ear of a 10 year old child would hear Him.
Jack-of-scythes
Level 6
Feb 1, 2018
1
Yes, your right people who couldn't work like a healthy adult were normally just gassed and burnt. remember this man went through what most of us couldn't even imagine in our wildest dreams and he is a jew. when your life means fuck all under extreme stress maybe you need that hope. a lot of people ie millions seem to need it with none of that.
LeighShelton
Level 8
Feb 1, 2018
4
That was his experience, one that I wouldn't even try to imagine and I hope is never repeated.
Betty
Level 8
Feb 1, 2018
4
it will and has been repeated ie Bosnian Serbs
Human greed for wealth, power, and control gives license to feed an ego that turns people into monsters. Will the human race ever have a chance to outgrow these kinds of atrocities?
I don't think so
That is so very sad. 
yes it really is @Betty
I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what he said, however people can share their experience including their faith in a God without it being a platform to convert. Just take the message that he was trying to convey and ignore the religious part.
At least that would be what I would do.
kiramea
Level 7
Feb 1, 2018
2
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