Dancing Through Darkness: The Inspiring Story of Nazi Death

Dancing Through Darkness: The Inspiring Story of Nazi Death Camp Survivors, Chaim and Selma Engel

Based on the recorded memories, diary and love letters ofÂ SaartjeÂ WijnbergÂ (SelmaÂ WijnbergÂ Engel) andÂ ChaimÂ Engel, Dancing Through Darkness is a true story that exists only because of the strength of love and the power of dreams. From Poland and Holland, and with no common language,Â SaartjeÂ andÂ ChaimÂ met and fell in love when forced to dance together for the entertainment of the Nazi SS guards atÂ SobiborÂ Death Camp in Poland in April, 1943. As their love grew, in defiance of the brutality that surrounded them, they promised each other they would survive. Their dream of living to share a normal life was simple, but it gave them the strength and the courage to survive the unspeakable atrocities ofÂ Sobibor, one of Hitler's most efficient Death Camps. On October 14, 1943, the largest escape from over 300 concentration camps took place atÂ Sobibor.Â ChaimÂ Engel'sÂ involvement included killing an SS guard and holdingÂ Saartje'sÂ hand as they ran from the camp and kept running and hiding for ten days in a hostile country. A Polish farmer and his wife, Adam andÂ StefkaÂ Nowak, agreed to hide them in the hayloft over their cows for the moneyÂ ChaimÂ had risked his life to smuggle from the camp. Life in the camp, the escape, nine months of unspeakable deprivation in hiding and the birth, and the death of their son are written inÂ Saartje'sÂ diary and reflected in Dancing Through Darkness.Â SaartjeÂ andÂ ChaimÂ never knew why they survived and others who tried just as hard did not, but they vowed to speak for the 250,000 who died atÂ SobiborÂ and could no longer speak for themselves. As they lived the American dream with a successful business and an active family, they made their story a priority. Refusing any compensation, they spoke to schools, businesses, civic groups, churches, synagogues, at the war trials inÂ Haagen, Germany--anywhere a group would listen to their story of the horrors created by prejudice and hatred when good people remain silent. Their voices were temporarily silenced whenÂ ChaimÂ died on July 4, 2003. At 89,Â SaartjeÂ is no longer able to travel and speak as much as she would like, but by sharing her memories, her diary and their love letters in Dancing Through Darkness, she continues to honorÂ ChaimÂ and their love of 60 years. She also speaks for those whose voices were silenced forever.
Country USA
Brand Dunham Books
Manufacturer Dunham Books
Binding Paperback
ReleaseDate 2012-11-27
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780985532888

Country	USA
Brand	Dunham Books
Manufacturer	Dunham Books
Binding	Paperback
ReleaseDate	2012-11-27
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780985532888

Dancing Through Darkness: The Inspiring Story of Nazi Death Camp Survivors, Chaim and Selma Engel

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