Ben’s parents decided that it would be safer to leave home and find a place of safety so they travelled to a small neighbouring town, Sulejow, where they thought it would be more peaceful. The next day his family had to take shelter in the basement of their home as the invading force began to drop their bombs on Piotrkow. As they travelled they heard bombs falling and sirens wailing. The usual trip home took about two hours but this day they did not reach home until six in the evening.
His mother wanted to reach Piotrkow in time to prepare for the Sabbath so the family began the return journey at seven in the morning. On 1st September, 1939 he was enjoying a holiday with his parents and sisters, visiting his Grandfather, Aunt and Uncle in his mother’s home town. She thought they should stay in Poland rather than face an uncertain future in a distant land.īen’s memories of Hitler’s invasion of Poland are vivid. However Ben’s grandmother did not want them to go. They obtained permits to travel to Palestine to begin a new life. As early as 1935 Ben’s parents were worried about the future of their family and prepared to leave Poland. Jewish people, who had left Poland for a new life in Germany, returned to the town telling of how Jews were being driven out as the power of the Nazis took hold. A perceptive and intelligent child, he could sense that adults were worried about the future and he felt apprehensive too as people listened to and spoke about news coming through on the radio.
Growing up in a happy home, with his parents and two sisters and with other members of his family in the neighbourhood, he was aware war was looming. Today he works hard to ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten and its lessons learned.īen was almost ten at the start of the Second World War.
In Piotrkow, he feels especially close to those unjustly robbed of life. As he walks through familiar streets he carries with him memories of special people – his parents, youngest sister, other members of his extended family and childhood playmates, all murdered by the Nazis. This educational life story describes Ben's experiences during the war, and his remarkable life after settling in the UK as a 15 year old.Įach time Ben Helfgott revisits Piotrkow, a town in Poland 26 miles away from Lodz, where he grew up, he notices how little the physical features of the town have changed even though the community he lived in was cruelly and systematically destroyed. He spent his formative years as a slave labourer, in a ghetto, and in several concentration camps. HMDT Honorary President Sir Ben Helfgott grew up in Poland. Ideas for your activities Expand dropdown.International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.Political opponents and trade unionists.Learn about the Holocaust and genocides Expand dropdown.One Day competition: Terms and Conditions.One Day competition guidelines and criteria.Guidelines for Light up the darkness participants.Organise a youth HMD activity Expand dropdown.Take part in Holocaust Memorial Day Expand dropdown.What is Holocaust Memorial Day? Expand dropdown.Learn about the Holocaust and genocides.Search for something Submit search query Search