What do you think?
Rate this book
Light from the Yellow Star: A Lesson of Love from the Holocaust
Book by Fisch, Robert O.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1996
34 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 15, 2019
I took a brief pause to sit down and read this book today. It's not a long book, but a powerful one.
Robert O. Fisch was born in Budapest, Hungary and survived a Nazi concentration camp. He later immigrated to Minnesota where he became a world renowned pediatrician, and also a visual artist.
The book features his art, accompanied by powerful prose sharing his harrowing personal memories from the Holocaust. He shares his story so others might learn from the past.
"Even among the most sorrowful memories, the humanitarian acts performed by compassionate individuals shine above the dark side of brutality. I wrote this book because good can be learned even from one of the worst human tragedies. In life - and even in death- the human spirit, love, and fine principles lead the way for the survivors."
"The message I would like to send is: Remain human- even in inhuman circumstances."
-Dr. Robert O. Fischer
Originally published in 1994 by the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, as a catalog for an art exhibit showing these same images and text, but on a larger scale. In 1995 a large printing of a second edition was published by the Yellow Star Foundation, dedicated to helping educate young people about the Holocaust using Dr. Fisch's book. Hundreds of high school teachers all over Minnesota were trained to teach the Holocaust using this book and a study guide. This effort has spread to other states.
As I write this, Dr. Fisch is 94 years old. I've been reading some of his interviews and am struck by what an incredible human he is.
Robert O. Fisch was born in Budapest, Hungary and survived a Nazi concentration camp. He later immigrated to Minnesota where he became a world renowned pediatrician, and also a visual artist.
The book features his art, accompanied by powerful prose sharing his harrowing personal memories from the Holocaust. He shares his story so others might learn from the past.
"Even among the most sorrowful memories, the humanitarian acts performed by compassionate individuals shine above the dark side of brutality. I wrote this book because good can be learned even from one of the worst human tragedies. In life - and even in death- the human spirit, love, and fine principles lead the way for the survivors."
"The message I would like to send is: Remain human- even in inhuman circumstances."
-Dr. Robert O. Fischer
Originally published in 1994 by the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, as a catalog for an art exhibit showing these same images and text, but on a larger scale. In 1995 a large printing of a second edition was published by the Yellow Star Foundation, dedicated to helping educate young people about the Holocaust using Dr. Fisch's book. Hundreds of high school teachers all over Minnesota were trained to teach the Holocaust using this book and a study guide. This effort has spread to other states.
As I write this, Dr. Fisch is 94 years old. I've been reading some of his interviews and am struck by what an incredible human he is.
August 10, 2021
Light From the Yellow Star: A Lesson of Love from the Holocaust is by Robert O. Fisch. This is a cross between a picture book and a short novella. However, it is extremely powerful and definitely not written for children and yet at the same time, it could be. It is a short book but sometimes that is just what is needed.
Robert was eighteen and living in Budapest with his parents when the war broke out in Poland. He tells us that he had not been able to get into the university because he was Jewish. He was lucky in that his nurse was Anna who was Catholic and took him to Mass which helped him later.
This is a very unique book; but boy does it still have power. It is a book you can read over and over and get something new out of it each time you read it.
Robert was eighteen and living in Budapest with his parents when the war broke out in Poland. He tells us that he had not been able to get into the university because he was Jewish. He was lucky in that his nurse was Anna who was Catholic and took him to Mass which helped him later.
This is a very unique book; but boy does it still have power. It is a book you can read over and over and get something new out of it each time you read it.
July 18, 2019
Interesting takes place in Hungry during the holocaust from a Jewish perspective. Having Hungarian Jew ancestors it was a good short read.
Want to read
March 28, 2021Beautiful book. I share it with my students after reading the book, Night, by Elie Wiesel.
March 8, 2022
This was a short and meaningful book with wonderful art to accompany the short discussions of each epitaph.
March 28, 2023
I absolutely love this book. For 13 years now, it's been a part of my 8th graders' curriculum. We look at the art, symbolism, and stories. They write letters to Dr. Fisch as a follow-up. "Yellow Star" is an important part of perseverance and forgiveness.
Now, I have been teaching this book for close to 20 years. Somehow with each passing year Dr. Fisch's message become more relevant rather than more obscure. It is also taught to 10 - 12 graders as part of the Holocaust Lit class.
Now, I have been teaching this book for close to 20 years. Somehow with each passing year Dr. Fisch's message become more relevant rather than more obscure. It is also taught to 10 - 12 graders as part of the Holocaust Lit class.
January 27, 2015
Such a true and beautifully touching story of the Holocaust from a young man eyes.
The art work that is shown in his book is heartbreaking and shows you the pain and sorrow that he had gone through.
"The Message that I would like to send is: Remain human--even in inhuman circumstances." - Dr. Robert O. Fisch
The art work that is shown in his book is heartbreaking and shows you the pain and sorrow that he had gone through.
"The Message that I would like to send is: Remain human--even in inhuman circumstances." - Dr. Robert O. Fisch
October 24, 2008
This is a beautiful, heartwarming book and I highly recommend it.It makes us think and reminds us how fortunate we are to be living in a free country.The author is a remarkable man.
May 6, 2013
I had a chance to meet Dr. Fisch during a class I was taking. I was so impressed with him!! I loved his book and his honesty about his feelings and fears. He is a great example!!!
January 24, 2016
Favorite quote - "One night in a dream I asked God, 'Are we the chosen people?' 'The world turns on its axis and each segment receives an equal share of sunshine.' That was the answer."
July 17, 2013
Heartbreaking and hopeful.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews