The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

A while back, I was listening to a story on Snap Judgement (on NPR) about the Mengele Twins and specifically Eva and Miriam Mozes. I had never heard the story of Eva and Miriam before and was riveted throughout the report.

Since reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” as a young girl, being probably about the same age as Anne was in the book at the time, and later “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, I have been interested in the story of the Holocaust, particularly in the stories of the survivors of the terrible atrocities that occurred at the Concentration Camps. The fact that humans are capable of treating other humans in such inhumane and cruel ways is bewildering and incredibly sad, but perhaps what is more amazing is the resilience of the survivors of such treatment.

Eva and Miriam have story of horror and survival that I would encourage you to read, but in a quick snap shot- they were among the 3000 twin children that were subjected to horrendous and largely deadly genetic studies done by Dr. Josef Menegle at Auschwitz Prison during World War II. I shuddered as I read about the tests and experiments he and his staff ran on those innocent children, all of which had been separated from their families (Eva and Miriam, 10 years old at the time of imprisonment, lost their parents, grandparents, two older sisters, uncles, aunts and cousins through the Concentration Camps).

Their story, while horrific, tells one of forgiveness, self-empowerment and liberation. Eva and Miriam lived to be freed from the prison and moved from refugee camps to Communist occupied Romania to Israel, finally settling in Terre Haute, Indiana. Miriam died of a rare form of cancer (thought to have been caused by the experiments performed on her at Auschwitz) in 1993, but Eva is still alive at 84 years old, and founded the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center two years after her sister’s death.  Even though Dr. Mengele was never brought to justice and despite all the atrocities she personally lived through, Eva visited Auschwitz 50 years after the Camp was liberated and “freed herself from her victim status and announced to the world that-in her name alone- she forgave the Nazis. An incredible weight of suffering was lifted and she felt strong. Offering her forgiveness healed Ava, but it did not mean she would forget or that it changed what happened” (from the CANDLES website).

Eva still speaks publically today about her experience at the Camp and her recovery afterwards. She calls herself a “forgiveness advocate” and uses her museum as a way to teach the importance of respect, equality and peace. Despite her message, her museum was destroyed by arson in 2003 but through hard work and perseverance, much like Eva’s own story, the museum was rebuilt and reopened in 2005.

I share this story to illustrate the power we have to rise above our troubles and trials. While most, if not none, of us have experienced the horrors that these sisters did, many have lived through terrible injustices and mistreatments. These experiences leave behind wounds and scars that often times are very slow to heal and can even continue to cause pain and suffering years later. However, by accepting what has occurred in our lives and striving to forgive we reclaim our power over the person or events that have burdened us for so long. Eva Mozes Kor demonstrates that we have tremendous strength and resilience inside of us. She has used her experience to help teach others the value of peace and acceptance as well as how hate belittles, damages and destroys. Her lifelong commitment to making sure people are aware of what humans are capable of reminds me that even in light of the struggles I might have myself, I am able to overcome. While any tribulations in my life pale dramatically to what Eva and Miriam endured, they were still my tribulations and I was burdened with them for some time. However, I found peace when I was able to accept and forgive. It doesn’t mean that I forget, but rather that I no longer choose to divert my energy in the form or anger and resentment to those who hurt me.

Whatever your experiences have been, or continue to be, you deserve to be happy and at peace. You don’t have to carry the weight of trauma or pain your entire life. You, too, can be a “forgiveness advocate” and move forward in the direction of your choice.

Reference- www.candlesholocaustmuseum.org