Clarksburg School Event Features Auschwitz Survivor
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Gruenfeld, who arrived at Logan Airport on Wednesday afternoon, was invited by artist and gallery owner Ralph Brill. In yet another example of how small the world is, one of Gruenfeld's nieces lives in Western Massachusetts and has been showing her work in Brill's gallery in the Eclipse Mill.
Brill's become involved in the school program in part because of his interest in starting a Holocaust and World War II museum locally with collector Darrell English, whose vast collection of memorabilia is used for the culminating event.
"The students' work is amazing they put in so much effort," said Brill.
Born in Hungary, Gruenfeld's family was torn apart by the Nazi advance into Hungary. Both his parents and two brothers died; Gruenfeld and another brother, Herman, survived Auschwitz and other camps through their creative abilities. Herman was put to work with goldsmiths, following in his father's footsteps, and Benjamin illustrated greeting cards.
After the war, the two brothers emigrated to Stockholm with the help of the Swedish Red Cross, although Benjamin served in the Israeli air force during its War for Independence, later returning to Sweden. Now in his 80s, he's written and illustrated a book relating his wartime experience, "A Teenager in Hitler's Death Camps," and tells his story to schoolchildren. Herman died last year in Canada.
"He just travels around Sweden talking about his lost teenage years," said Brill by cell phone on Wednesday afternoon. "As a result of this, a few other people have called me where their fathers, living and dead, were in concentration camps and they want to talk to this person. It's become a much bigger story."
Brill, who's own father escaped from Dachau, said he expected a large audience for Gruenfeld's talk in the school gymnasium at about 7 p.m. on Thursday. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and is open to the community. Last year, Esia Friedman of Connecticut, who survived with the help of Christian friends in Poland, spoke of her fear-filled childhood.
Gruenfeld will also appear on Sherman Baldwin's "Talk Berkshires" on WBRK 1340-AM between 3 and 6 p.m. on Thursday. Signed editions of his book will be available at Clarksburg School on Thursday night and at Papyri Books on Eagle Street in North Adams afterward. A salon with local artists is planned for Friday evening.
