Still dancing, 70 years on
SEVENTY years since the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, approximately 200 people gathered to celebrate the contingent of survivors fondly known as the Buchenwald Boys.
Sunday evening marked the Buchenwald Ball, a long-running tradition in which the Boys and their families rejoice the anniversary of their liberation on April 11, 1945.
Held at the Theodor Herzl Club in Melbourne, the evening included dinner, klezmer music, dancing and comedic entertainment. Organiser and second generation survivor Mark Baker lauded the event as a big success.
“Seventy years on, the legacy of the Buchenwald Boys strengthens, reminding us of how the survivors turned their trauma into an overwhelming impulse to embrace life through joy, family and friendship,” Baker said.
Although numbers are sadly dwindling – four Buchenwalders have passed away since the 69th anniversary – 10 Buchenwald Boys were present, including Ted “Booby” Lowy who travelled from Sydney for the occasion.
Also among the remaining Boys are brothers Joe and Bernie Kaufman, who survived Buchenwald together with their eldest brother, Moti, who was later killed fighting in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948.
Each year prior to the celebration, a commemoration is held at the site of the Buchenwald memorial monument at Springvale cemetery.
Buchenwald survivor Jack Unikoski addressed this year’s commemoration, along with second generation representative Sandi Rappaport and third generation representative Dr Melissa Weinberg.
“There are so many conflicting feelings,” Unikoski said. “Astonishment that some of us are still around; sorrow that so many of us have passed away; the undying grief for our murdered families; joy and pride in you, our second and third generations, who are honouring us by your presence here today.”
Weinberg, who has studied the psychology of Holocaust survivors, marvelled at the unique bond the Buchenwald Boys share.
“Though I’ve literally spent years studying the psychology of human response to trauma, everything I’ve learned about resilience, character, and happiness was learnt from my Zaida and from these boys, these men,” said Weinberg, whose grandfather Sam Michalowicz passed away last year.
In order to preserve the legacy, the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University will be establishing a Buchenwald Boys archive, set to include photographs, documents and video footage.
Submissions for the archive are best scanned and emailed to buchenwaldboys@gmail.com.
PHOEBE ROTH
The Buchenwald Boys. Photo: Peter Haskin
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