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Kiss Every Step
The German army swept into Poland on September 1, 1939, and four days later into Dora Szpringer's home town of Bendzin. To begin their reign of terror, the Nazis burned down Bendzin's beautiful synagogue with some 200 helpless Jews inside. Most Jewish families in Bendzin, and rest of Poland were completely wiped out by the Holocaust. The Szpringers were just an ordinary middle-class family, but through many incredible strokes of luck, or perhaps miracles, all seven of them survived. For an entire Jewish family in Poland to survive the Holocaust is amazing--likely unique. What is more remarkable is how they survived. This is their story.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2009
40 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 6, 2020
I had the pleasure of meeting Doris Martin at the Barnes & Noble in Flagstaff and purchased a signed copy of her book. We hugged and she said "this book is for the new generation to pass on to them so they know that this is the truth. The Holocaust was real, it happened, and I survived it."
I agree, this should be read by every young person in school. The book is gathered stories of events as told by her sister and brothers of how they survived as well as her own. It is an amazing account of luck, tenacity, and strength that the family endures, survives and ultimately reunites from the Nazi Holocaust. I highly recommend this book.
I agree, this should be read by every young person in school. The book is gathered stories of events as told by her sister and brothers of how they survived as well as her own. It is an amazing account of luck, tenacity, and strength that the family endures, survives and ultimately reunites from the Nazi Holocaust. I highly recommend this book.
January 15, 2017
Incredible memoir
Incredible memoir of a large Jewish family's miraculous survival of the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland and Germany. Riveting first-person accounts of the horror of countless harrowing escapes from death - and a sobering reminder of why the remembrance of such history is so important for all generations. It would make for a intriguing and appropriately eye-opening book for history classes to take on. Highly recommend.
Incredible memoir of a large Jewish family's miraculous survival of the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland and Germany. Riveting first-person accounts of the horror of countless harrowing escapes from death - and a sobering reminder of why the remembrance of such history is so important for all generations. It would make for a intriguing and appropriately eye-opening book for history classes to take on. Highly recommend.
November 10, 2018
Having met the author several times at book-signing events where I worked, I was excited to get my hands on a used copy of this book at a local thrift store. Doris Martin is a tenacious woman who has worked hard to inform people not only about her experience surviving the Nazi genocide in Poland, but also the stories of her family members and others. She and her co-author, Ralph Martin, established the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University to promote Holocaust awareness among the younger generation.
Doris Martin, born Dora Szpringer, was living with her family in Bendzin, Poland, at the outbreak of World War II. Her family of seven Orthodox Jews watched the advance of the Nazis from Germany to their homeland with growing anxiety. When the Germans invaded their country September 1, 1939, and then entered Bendzin September 4, the Szpringers had anticipated their arrival and implemented plans to protect themselves. With a series of courageous acts, ingenious schemes and unmistakable miracles, their lives were spared through the horrors that followed.
This book starts out with a history of Doris' family and their life in Poland before the war. Then it tells how they survived the initial invasion of the Germans. It tells how the Germans first required the Jews to identify themselves as such, and then took their businesses and gave them to non-Jews. The Szpringer family was miraculously preserved intact and allowed to stay together in their own home, after the Nazis thinned out the Jews at a local sports stadium in Bendzin. They were then moved together to a Jewish ghetto, which was eventually emptied during the Judenrein, when the Germans moved everyone to the death camp at Auschwitz.
However, the Szpringers were not among those carried away to destruction. Instead, five members of the family built a hiding place and eventually escaped the ghetto. By posing as Gentile Poles, they were able to move farther and farther from occupied Poland, and eventually ended up in Germany itself. Although they suffered many deprivations and lived in constant fear of being caught, the entire family survived until they were liberated by Allied forces in 1945. One son escaped to Russia and then returned after the war. Doris was taken to a labor camp, where she survived until the Russians came and set her and her fellow prisoners free.
It was interesting to read each of the siblings' accounts of their experiences. The older brothers, in particular, were quite clever and resourceful. Over and over God preserved their lives through many narrow escapes and difficult circumstances.
Being self-published, this book does have some grammatical errors, typos, etc. But what was really sad is that this family attributed their preservation to "luck" and their own ingenuity. One would think that, being devout Jews, they would have recognized and acknowledged the hand of God in their deliverance. Even when they experienced an obvious answers to desperate prayers, the family explained away so much of what was clearly miraculous. Apparently, their faith was more in themselves than God--most likely because their Judaism is more cultural than religious.
If you are researching the Holocaust and want to learn more about what happened in Poland during the war, then this is an interesting read. Doris and Ralph have included a timeline in the back of the book that shows the German advance and how the events of their lives intertwined with it all. Anyone looking for a spiritual message, like that found in Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, or other biographical works from the same time period may be disappointed. Kiss Every Step is more a memoir of survival than of inspiration.
Doris Martin, born Dora Szpringer, was living with her family in Bendzin, Poland, at the outbreak of World War II. Her family of seven Orthodox Jews watched the advance of the Nazis from Germany to their homeland with growing anxiety. When the Germans invaded their country September 1, 1939, and then entered Bendzin September 4, the Szpringers had anticipated their arrival and implemented plans to protect themselves. With a series of courageous acts, ingenious schemes and unmistakable miracles, their lives were spared through the horrors that followed.
This book starts out with a history of Doris' family and their life in Poland before the war. Then it tells how they survived the initial invasion of the Germans. It tells how the Germans first required the Jews to identify themselves as such, and then took their businesses and gave them to non-Jews. The Szpringer family was miraculously preserved intact and allowed to stay together in their own home, after the Nazis thinned out the Jews at a local sports stadium in Bendzin. They were then moved together to a Jewish ghetto, which was eventually emptied during the Judenrein, when the Germans moved everyone to the death camp at Auschwitz.
However, the Szpringers were not among those carried away to destruction. Instead, five members of the family built a hiding place and eventually escaped the ghetto. By posing as Gentile Poles, they were able to move farther and farther from occupied Poland, and eventually ended up in Germany itself. Although they suffered many deprivations and lived in constant fear of being caught, the entire family survived until they were liberated by Allied forces in 1945. One son escaped to Russia and then returned after the war. Doris was taken to a labor camp, where she survived until the Russians came and set her and her fellow prisoners free.
It was interesting to read each of the siblings' accounts of their experiences. The older brothers, in particular, were quite clever and resourceful. Over and over God preserved their lives through many narrow escapes and difficult circumstances.
Being self-published, this book does have some grammatical errors, typos, etc. But what was really sad is that this family attributed their preservation to "luck" and their own ingenuity. One would think that, being devout Jews, they would have recognized and acknowledged the hand of God in their deliverance. Even when they experienced an obvious answers to desperate prayers, the family explained away so much of what was clearly miraculous. Apparently, their faith was more in themselves than God--most likely because their Judaism is more cultural than religious.
If you are researching the Holocaust and want to learn more about what happened in Poland during the war, then this is an interesting read. Doris and Ralph have included a timeline in the back of the book that shows the German advance and how the events of their lives intertwined with it all. Anyone looking for a spiritual message, like that found in Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, or other biographical works from the same time period may be disappointed. Kiss Every Step is more a memoir of survival than of inspiration.
May 1, 2025
How can I not give this book 5 stars when I know the survivor personally and can see how inspirational she is! I met Rae, (Laya/Poilka) recently at an event I helped to create where teens and survivors shared recipes, did hands on cooking, and exchanged stories. I think I was the person that left most fulfilled and inspired by the passion, joy, and perseverance of these 90 year olds! Kiss Every Step follows the Szpringer family from Bendzin, Poland, from the years leading up to the takeover by the Nazis through to the liberation by the Russians and Americans. Their story is unique because all 7 people in their nuclear family survived which is unheard of. I found the book to give a very good view into the life in Bendzin before anything tragic transpires and I am now interested in visiting Rae's hometown whenever I am next in Poland. It is a miracle that at the selection in Bendzin, the family was able to use quick thinking and figure out a way to better their odds of survival. Many times you wonder how the family just knew what might be coming so they took action to prepare. This part is missing from many survivor stories. In addition, this story shows how many survivors, including my Uncle's mother, had to pretend to be non-Jews- attending Catholic church, etc. and had to live with other families hiding their identity and pretending to be Poles, not using German language which they all understood, appearing uneducated, etc. The acting that was perpetual must have been exhausting and at the end when they "shed" their secondary names and identities it must be very confusing to let go of a persona you had to embody for years- and weird to just become your true self again. I never really contemplated that part until reading Kiss Every Step. I am also still curious how a "jew walks" as it is mentioned that people could identify those of the tribe by their walk- not just their semitic features. The book is also very successful in painting a clear vision of the fear that all of the family members constantly lived in. Being in this heightened state of existence, it seems inevitable that it would cause great strain, mental health issues, PTSD, etc. I am not surprised that Rae's Dad wanted to commit suicide multiple times and I found it fulfilling to know that he lived to be over 102 and was actually honored for his longevity! It is fascinating to me that after all of the torture and starvation the Jewish people experienced, that many tend to live extremely long lives. Just met another 102 year old survivor at a Yom HaShoah event. I had worried that knowing the people in the story would make it even harder to read- but I found it more interesting and engrossing because I could see the spirit and the personality of Rae in the writing as well as the humor her entire family must have had. Rae told me the other day- to stick with her and Laura (another survivor) because they are full of luck! I definitely believe them. And I am touched and honored to be able to spend time with these remarkable women and grateful that they are willing to answer my questions and share their stories with me.
September 7, 2018
"I got a chilling reminder of how my life hung by a thread when, one morning, Mrs. Unucka informed me that in the middle of the night she had overheard me talking in my sleep. She couldn't understand what I was saying, but it sounded like some language other than Polish. Oh, my God! I had never expected this... All of my self-training to speak only Polish had not converted into my unconscious mind, which still operated in Yiddish, and I was in grave danger of discovery even in my sleep."
I actually briefly met the author of Kiss Every Step a year or two back at a Barnes and Noble book signing where I picked up my copy. This book was surprisingly better than I thought it would be - I didn't have terribly high expectations as it's a self-published book. Though there are some scattered typos throughout, it's well-written and well-organized as a whole.
All in all, this is a good example of a compiled family history, and its unflinching and detailed accounts from Martin and some of her family members make it worthy of being more well-known and widely-read.
Related Reads:
The Hiding Place (ten Boom)
I actually briefly met the author of Kiss Every Step a year or two back at a Barnes and Noble book signing where I picked up my copy. This book was surprisingly better than I thought it would be - I didn't have terribly high expectations as it's a self-published book. Though there are some scattered typos throughout, it's well-written and well-organized as a whole.
All in all, this is a good example of a compiled family history, and its unflinching and detailed accounts from Martin and some of her family members make it worthy of being more well-known and widely-read.
Related Reads:
The Hiding Place (ten Boom)
March 4, 2018
I had the privilege of arranging for Doris Martin to come speak to our homeschool commonwealth school, specifically my class studying World War 2. She is a strong and inspiring woman. I loved reading her story and the stories of each family member as told in this book. Their story of surviving the Holocaust, their ingenuity, their commitment to each other, their recognition of miracles in their lives, and their desire to share it with others to remind us this should never happen again, is inspiring. It was hard to read and imagine what they had to go through. But what a powerful story. I loved it.
July 1, 2018
An amazing account of a whole Jewish family that managed to survive the Holocaust as shared by members of the family. The author told an extended family member who addressed out book club discussion that she felt strongly that as Edmund Burke said, "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it". (We've been warned to pay attention!)
I learned additional information and understanding about how the Jewish community suffered in Poland during this horrible time period and I am thankful our book club chose this book to discuss.
I learned additional information and understanding about how the Jewish community suffered in Poland during this horrible time period and I am thankful our book club chose this book to discuss.
July 8, 2017
Loved this book minus the grammatical errors. once I overlooked the editors errors I was able to enjoy the book and all it's miracles. God's hand was with this family all the way. Wondered if that was due to her mother. Did her mother have a strong prayer life? Someone prayed them through this, I'd like to know who. Would love to see this as a movie.
January 16, 2024
Had the pleasure of meeting the author, and sharing the signed book with my grandmother. She came to my middle school and then I purchased her book years later at a local antique shop for a book singing.
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January 24, 2020Told with the energy, heart, and wit that seems to characterize this family. Add to the list of eyewitness truth that must combat the lingering intolerance that plagues us.
August 18, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book I will read anything and everything to do with the Holocaust. The families account, though I would have preferred more detail and a longer account, is remarkable.
August 25, 2020
Style is stilted but the book was fascinating in terms of what the family went through to survive the Holocaust.
September 11, 2016
Kiss Every Step: A Survivor´s Memoir From The Nazi Holocaust was written by Doris Martin with Ralph S. Martin. This is the story of a Polish Jewish family that had their immediately family remarkably survive intact during the Holocaust. It is told in first person by different members of the family.
Dora Szpringer was the oldest daughter in the Szpringer family of Bendzin, Poland. Their father was a shoe salesman and owned his own shoe shop. Mother stayed home and raised five children: Isaac or Issa born 1916; Moishe born 1911; Josef or Yossel born 1922; Dora born 1926; and Laya born 1929. Uncle Shloime was also raised in the household. He was Mother´s youngest brother and she raised him after their mother died. Dora thought her childhood was great even though it was hard. She and her friend Rutka roamed the town and visited with the shop owners. Of course things got worse after the Germans invaded Poland. However, except for Issa who went to Russia, the family was together.
After fleeing Bendzin after the other Jewish families were taken away, the family split up with Father and Moishe staying together or at least close, Yossel, Laya, and Mother staying together, and Dora being taken to Auschwitz and later Larch Ludwigsdorf. The stories of the family members are full of danger, hope, and love.
The book is easy to read and is set up in chronological chapters by the siblings.
January 9, 2013
Like all Holocaust recounts, Kiss Every Step is both inspiring and horrifying. Told in the words of various members of the Szpringer family who lived in Bendzin, Poland at the time of Nazi Germany's devastating campaign through Europe.
They are the only known European Jewish family to have survived the Judenrein intact. Both parents and all five children survived, with numerous near misses. The town they grew up in evicted all Jews and to this day still has no Jews living there. The Poles, though persecuted by Germans, who thought them inferior, still aligned themselves with the Nazi dogma regarding their Jewish neighbors and sold them out.
While it is understandable that Poles (and other Europeans in general) were afraid to take chances to help Jews, because the penalty was death or death camp internment, most seemed to be void of any sympathy for the Jews or to even have reservations about their maltreatment. Standing by while it went on is one thing, participating in the persecution and usurpation of the Jews' businesses and property are quite another. I hope never to understand or feel such depravity in my own soul. The horrors that humans are capable of inflicting upon one another seems infinite.
They are the only known European Jewish family to have survived the Judenrein intact. Both parents and all five children survived, with numerous near misses. The town they grew up in evicted all Jews and to this day still has no Jews living there. The Poles, though persecuted by Germans, who thought them inferior, still aligned themselves with the Nazi dogma regarding their Jewish neighbors and sold them out.
While it is understandable that Poles (and other Europeans in general) were afraid to take chances to help Jews, because the penalty was death or death camp internment, most seemed to be void of any sympathy for the Jews or to even have reservations about their maltreatment. Standing by while it went on is one thing, participating in the persecution and usurpation of the Jews' businesses and property are quite another. I hope never to understand or feel such depravity in my own soul. The horrors that humans are capable of inflicting upon one another seems infinite.
June 5, 2014
We should ALL read this book. It is an amazing story of survival under the most horrible of circumstances. And yet, the love that these seven family members had for one another comes shining through. It was what motivated them to become exceptionally adept at being able to move around in Nazi Poland and Germany. It is also what allowed them to be reunited after the war. It was written chapter by chapter
in turn by most of the siblings and so has an almost conversational tone.
The details in the remembering are unbelievable! It is refreshing to find that there was at least ONE family that could outwit the Nazis.
Poignant, heart wrenching and a story of life being stripped bare it also renews our faith in the indomitable spirit of families and of "true humanity".
in turn by most of the siblings and so has an almost conversational tone.
The details in the remembering are unbelievable! It is refreshing to find that there was at least ONE family that could outwit the Nazis.
Poignant, heart wrenching and a story of life being stripped bare it also renews our faith in the indomitable spirit of families and of "true humanity".
February 10, 2016
Incredible story
Thought maybe this story might be more hype than substance. I expected that the whole family had been hospitalized in a gentile uncle's private hospital for the whole of the war and Holocaust or similarly ridiculous circumstances. However, I found myself captivated by their stories and awed by their ingenuity and ability to adapt and carry on. The format was very clever and I felt it perfect for telling this particular family's story; each giving voice to their respective experience. An incredible story. I'm sorry I had not heard of this family long before now - should have been a movie. . . . in my mind's eye, I see a production similar to The Fighting Sullivans..
Thought maybe this story might be more hype than substance. I expected that the whole family had been hospitalized in a gentile uncle's private hospital for the whole of the war and Holocaust or similarly ridiculous circumstances. However, I found myself captivated by their stories and awed by their ingenuity and ability to adapt and carry on. The format was very clever and I felt it perfect for telling this particular family's story; each giving voice to their respective experience. An incredible story. I'm sorry I had not heard of this family long before now - should have been a movie. . . . in my mind's eye, I see a production similar to The Fighting Sullivans..
May 13, 2016
"You cannot make a new friend out of an old enemy." Pg. 73
This is probably one of the most unique holocaust survivor memoirs I have ever read. Doris Martin (née Szpringer) and her whole family managed to survive the war, escaped from being forced into one of Poland's ghettos, and evaded interment in the chaos (save for Doris). The miracles and quick thinking (as well as kindness of friends and strangers) helped to keep them alive. I feel so honored to be able to have this woman live locally in my area. Reading level is probably around 6th grade or maybe 7th grade. An absolute must read for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
This is probably one of the most unique holocaust survivor memoirs I have ever read. Doris Martin (née Szpringer) and her whole family managed to survive the war, escaped from being forced into one of Poland's ghettos, and evaded interment in the chaos (save for Doris). The miracles and quick thinking (as well as kindness of friends and strangers) helped to keep them alive. I feel so honored to be able to have this woman live locally in my area. Reading level is probably around 6th grade or maybe 7th grade. An absolute must read for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
April 25, 2019
I had the amazing opportunity to meet Doris Martin at a local street fair a few weeks ago and bought her book. I loved how she described exactly how she felt, not hiding any truth from her story,no matter how devastating it was.
This book gives an amazing picture of how unfairly Jews were treated during world war two, and what hard conditions many people had to live with. I would absolutely read this book again. It was a quick easy read, with a huge message. I would recommend this book to readers who like real life scenarios, with facts, and no nonsense writing. Overall this book was wonderful and deserves a five star rating.
This book gives an amazing picture of how unfairly Jews were treated during world war two, and what hard conditions many people had to live with. I would absolutely read this book again. It was a quick easy read, with a huge message. I would recommend this book to readers who like real life scenarios, with facts, and no nonsense writing. Overall this book was wonderful and deserves a five star rating.
March 25, 2012
Amazing story of faith, survival and love. Throughout this book they mention luck, More like imaginable opportunities of chance and action. I have read Night recently and felt like this may be the same (ignorant thought). I cannot imagine what it is like to be so thoroughly hated and persecuted. If you haven't read this book or some other book about the Holocaust - you should. We cannot let anything like this happen again. When people say that America should stay out of other Countries issues, they should pick up this book or any other like it and reevaluate that position.
November 3, 2014
Unique in that the family survives, & share their story from diff povs.
I chose this rating because I really do value their story. Probably the first in which I read more than one point of view in a book. I would recommend this book for sure. So many times the family tells of how they avoided a sure death. Simply amazing. Always touching to hear of the very rare times a pole, or even German do the simplest of things to help a Jew. Touching.
I chose this rating because I really do value their story. Probably the first in which I read more than one point of view in a book. I would recommend this book for sure. So many times the family tells of how they avoided a sure death. Simply amazing. Always touching to hear of the very rare times a pole, or even German do the simplest of things to help a Jew. Touching.
January 31, 2016
Excellent book
Where I work at Doris Martinis an outstanding author. She survived the Halocaust in Auswhitz where she and her family separated. I can't give you the full details but the book explains itself. Even when she stops by the store on the weekends to sell her book, me and her have very good and funny conversations. I recommend this book to the new generation who needs to remember history so it wouldn't be forgotten.
Where I work at Doris Martinis an outstanding author. She survived the Halocaust in Auswhitz where she and her family separated. I can't give you the full details but the book explains itself. Even when she stops by the store on the weekends to sell her book, me and her have very good and funny conversations. I recommend this book to the new generation who needs to remember history so it wouldn't be forgotten.
September 24, 2015
An excellent read.
Well written; easy for me to follow along and envision what the narrator's had experienced. An incredible account of courage, cunning, and luck (or divine intervention). I finished this book in three hours...it was a page turner. Thank you to the narrator's for sharing their survival story with the world. Highly recommend.
Well written; easy for me to follow along and envision what the narrator's had experienced. An incredible account of courage, cunning, and luck (or divine intervention). I finished this book in three hours...it was a page turner. Thank you to the narrator's for sharing their survival story with the world. Highly recommend.
February 9, 2016
Reading about the history and survival of a family during the world war I'm and want they went though brings it home to us all how lucky we are. Thank u for letting us into your world.
It was a good book which brought to life the history of a family who survived want the German Nazi did to them and the way they survived. Thank u for letting us know how luckily we are.
It was a good book which brought to life the history of a family who survived want the German Nazi did to them and the way they survived. Thank u for letting us know how luckily we are.
June 11, 2016
A miraculous journey of survival by an entire family during the most horrific and terrifying time in history, the Holocaust. I highly recommend this on your read list. I also had the privilege of meeting Dora in person and speaking with her about her experiences. It is unbelievable how all 7 family members survived. She is a rare gift and so is her story.
October 29, 2010
This story is about my grandfather's family, and the strength, courage, and determination they had to survive during the Holocaust.
It is imperitive to remember what happend during the holocaust, so that we will not allow anything like that to go on again.
It is imperitive to remember what happend during the holocaust, so that we will not allow anything like that to go on again.
September 1, 2012
This is an amazing story. I didn't know about the book or her story until I met her at our local library. She is such a nice and down to earth person. I am very grateful that she was able to share her story and educate us all.
December 6, 2013
Doris Martin came to my sister's school initially and I had borrowed the book from her, read it, and LOVED it! She later came to visit my school and I bought my own copy and continued to read it twice more! It's really interesting to get a look inside how it REALLY was!
January 3, 2015
I became aware of Doris Martin at the Flagstaff Public Library. Her family was urging her to tell her story of
The Holocaust. She did it and this is the book. Her whole family survived. Worth reading.
The Holocaust. She did it and this is the book. Her whole family survived. Worth reading.
February 20, 2015
Evil is not new.
Kiss Every Step follows a Polish Jewish family as they flee the Nazis in WWII. It is an amazing journey of survival. I would recommend to anyone who loves history and those who think evil only began recently.
Kiss Every Step follows a Polish Jewish family as they flee the Nazis in WWII. It is an amazing journey of survival. I would recommend to anyone who loves history and those who think evil only began recently.
June 28, 2024
What an Incredible Testimony
This book was very gripping and gave the reader so much to think about the myriad and many consequences of the heartbreak, displacement, and murder of innocent people. This must never be allowed to happen again.
This book was very gripping and gave the reader so much to think about the myriad and many consequences of the heartbreak, displacement, and murder of innocent people. This must never be allowed to happen again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews