Bernd Wollschlaeger brings powerful story to community Holocaust event

Reps. Mia Ackerman and Aaron Regunberg, far right, pose with, from left, Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Temple Emanu-El, Jewish Alliance of RI Community Relations Director Marty Cooper and Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger at the State House.

Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger was the keynote speaker for the 31st Annual Rhode Island Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust on April 15 at Temple Emanu-El. This year’s commemoration honored the memory of the 6 million Jewish victims and millions of others who perished in the darkness of the Shoah.

Now a Jew by choice, Wollschlaeger was born the Christian son of a World War II German tank commander. Wollschlaeger’s father, a third generation warrior, received Germany’s highest military honor, the Iron Cross, which was pinned on his uniform by Adolf Hitler himself.

Wollschlaeger was born, raised and educated in Germany, converted to Judaism, immigrated to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces. Now living in Miami, Florida, he is a practicing family physician and author of “A German Life: Against All Odds, Change is Possible.”

Wollschlaeger says, “When my children began asking about my parents and my past, I made the decision to tell them the truth about my family and my upbringing. I wanted them to understand what so dramatically changed my life; to give them a sense of knowing their family history in a way that was different than my own experience.

“Sharing with them in this way would cause me to explore the relationship between my father and myself and how that relationship was overshadowed by the Holocaust and everything associated with it.

“The unresolved conflict between my father and myself, combined with his complete denial of any wrongdoing, motivated me to search for answers. I found those answers within my newly acquired faith. And I learned that against all odds, lasting change actually is possible.”

Wollschlaeger delivered his presentation, “Against All Odds, Change is Possible,”  at three events during the day. In the morning, he spoke at Bishop Hendricken High School to a group of Hendricken students along with students from St. Kevin’s High School. The audience was mesmerized, and about 25 students asked him personal and thought-provoking questions afterward.

Then it was on to the State House where Wollschlaeger spoke at a reception in the Governor’s Reception Room to government leaders, legislators and interfaith leaders. After this presentation, Wollschlaeger and other members of the Jewish community attended a session on the House and Senate floors for passage of the Holocaust Remembrance Day resolutions where Rep. Aaron Regunberg talked about his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor who is a role model for him.

In the evening, Wollschlaeger addressed 355 people at Temple Emanu-El. The audience gave him a standing ovation both for his compelling story and for the Never Again award, presented to him by Judith Jamieson, president of the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of R.I.

In Cantor Brian Mayer’s words, “The audience heard a capstone piece sung by both Jewish and Christian voices, the Hineh Mah Tov, the very words of which speak to the commemoration’s theme of hope that indeed humankind can dwell in harmony.” After the service, there was a reception and copies of  Wollschlaeger’s book, “A German Life: Against All Odds, Change is Possible,” sold out.

In the words of participants who attended the Yom HaShoah program and heard Wollschlaeger’s presentation:

“I was most impressed with Bernd’s closing statements to the students in the afternoon. He spoke of Germany’s accepting responsibility for the Holocaust and their making amends for their cruel behavior, and they teach about the Holocaust in their schools.  He said he wished our country would speak of and take responsibility for our treatment of Native Americans, Afro-Americans and the American Japanese during WWII. We have to speak of and teach about our failings if we do not want to repeat this behavior in the future.” – May-Ronny Zeidman, executive  director, Holocaust Education and Resource Center of R.I.

“I found his entire presentation captivating; I was hanging on his every word.  I looked out at the HaZamir teens, and they were sitting on the edge of their seats.  The peak moment for me was when he described visiting the Israeli teenage girl that he’d met in Germany.  The girl’s father told him, ‘I don’t hate all Germans.  I learned after the war that not all Germans are monsters.  But tell me, do they teach you about the Shoah in school?’  Bernd answered that he wasn’t sure, so the Israeli father took Bernd to Yad Vashem. That moment gave me chills.” – Cantor Brian J. Mayer, Cantor, Temple Emanu-El.

“I was struck by Dr. Wollschlaeger’s profound shame, isolation and guilt as he confronted the unfolding horrific truths of his father’s role and the enormity of the Holocaust.  I have tremendous respect for Dr. Wollschlaeger for his conviction to uncover what he could and to face his demons.  I was most moved by his acceptance by the Jewish community and the sense of forgiveness and belonging that was extended to him.  His story of personal reckoning with the past and decisions to change, to rewrite his own personal history deeply impressed me.  He turned deep angst into meaningful action.  I was moved when he spoke of his own conversations with his son and the openness and transformation that had occurred within the father-son relationship over just one generation.  I found Dr. Wollschlaeger’s presentation to be uplifting and inspirational, and a model for moral courage and conviction.” – Elaine C. Meyer, member of Temple Emanu-El and Providence Monthly Meeting of Friends (Quaker).

“The evening was profoundly moving.  Dr. Wollschlaeger was the child of a Nazi who had no remorse for what he had done, yet Dr. Wollschlaeger spoke eloquently and from his heart about his deep regret for the catastrophe that was Nazi Germany.  I believe, as he does,  that we can all work toward tikkun olam, and it will only happen when brave people understand the wrongs they or their loved ones have committed, and work to bring about understanding and peace.” – Bruce Phillips,  member, Temple Emanu-El.

The commemoration was sponsored by the R.I. State Council of Churches, The Board of Rabbis of Greater R.I., The Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater R.I. and the Holocaust Education Resource Center of R.I.

PATRICIA RASKIN  is a  member  of  Temple Emanu-El   and host/producer of the Patricia Raskin Positive Living radio show heard on WPRO.