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Scattered Rays of Light: The Incredible Survival Story of The Kotowski Family During WW2
One big family. Immediate danger of destruction. Tiny rays of hope.
Yaakov was the youngest son of the Kotowskis, a well-to-do Jewish family in the small Polish town of Skulsk, who enjoyed the respect and admiration of local Jews and Christians alike.
The quiet life of the family was disrupted abruptly when Nazi Germany invaded Poland.
Soon, its members were deported to a faraway village where they suffered horrific torments at the hands of the Germans and their collaborators.
The head of the family, who was blessed with sharp instincts, grasped what was about to take place and instructed his children to disperse in different directions, in the hope that at least some of them would be able to survive.
This is the fascinating story of the Kotowski family, who was thrown deep into the flames that lit the fire that exterminated six million Jews, and yet, over half of the ten-member family managed to flee the blazing inferno against all odds.
Yaakov was the youngest son of the Kotowskis, a well-to-do Jewish family in the small Polish town of Skulsk, who enjoyed the respect and admiration of local Jews and Christians alike.
The quiet life of the family was disrupted abruptly when Nazi Germany invaded Poland.
Soon, its members were deported to a faraway village where they suffered horrific torments at the hands of the Germans and their collaborators.
The head of the family, who was blessed with sharp instincts, grasped what was about to take place and instructed his children to disperse in different directions, in the hope that at least some of them would be able to survive.
This is the fascinating story of the Kotowski family, who was thrown deep into the flames that lit the fire that exterminated six million Jews, and yet, over half of the ten-member family managed to flee the blazing inferno against all odds.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2020
761 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 14, 2020
Grew to love it.
At first I didn't like the way it was written in different voices in differing times, but I read here things I have not seen or mentioned in other books of this type. The horrors of it all. Mans inhumanity toward man, out in all its ugliness for all to see. I couldn't put it down. A horrifying but necessary story to be told. Thank you.
At first I didn't like the way it was written in different voices in differing times, but I read here things I have not seen or mentioned in other books of this type. The horrors of it all. Mans inhumanity toward man, out in all its ugliness for all to see. I couldn't put it down. A horrifying but necessary story to be told. Thank you.
June 29, 2022
I wasn’t too sure in the beginning due to the way the book is written - lots of prayer, quotes, and different voices. However I can’t mark down a book such as this.
Telling the history of multiple generations of one family in Poland before, during, and after the war. Segregation was there before the war, there were rules about where the Jews were allowed to wander in their own town. What shocks me is that once the war was over, the poles were willing to kill the Jews than have them “return” home to their village. A lot of Poles wanted them to disappear and die, which caused the great migration, as Jews wandered Europe searching for a home.
Telling the history of multiple generations of one family in Poland before, during, and after the war. Segregation was there before the war, there were rules about where the Jews were allowed to wander in their own town. What shocks me is that once the war was over, the poles were willing to kill the Jews than have them “return” home to their village. A lot of Poles wanted them to disappear and die, which caused the great migration, as Jews wandered Europe searching for a home.
November 19, 2019
A source of fact, hope, survival - and inspiration
Israeli born London based author Efraim Yitshak Pedatsur, a participant as an IDF officer in three of Israel’s wars, heads a fine team of authors in sharing the plight of the Kotowski family – Holocaust survivors – a story first presented in his book HANGING BY A THREAD and now made available to a wider audience as the current form SCATTERED RAYS OF LIGHT. The other authors are Davit Yalovizky, Yaakov Pedatsur, Hanna Krzywanowski, Carl Lewenhoff Marchak, and Yoseph Landau – both descendants of the family as well as members of the Kotowski family who left testimonies of their experience. As the authors have stated, the book ‘was written in loving memory and in honor of the members of our family who were murdered in the holocaust and those who survived it and are no longer with us.’
While there are many books that deal with the Holocaust, few have the impact of this stunning collective memoir/history. In the introductory the reason for the impact of this rendered family history is stated, ‘we would like to stress the amazing and unbelievable fact, a fact which is almost beyond comprehension that the Kotowski family, which had been blessed with eight children, was lucky enough to survive the Holocaust with more than a half of its members making it through alive…They too did not understand nor cold they explain it, except to assume that a sequence of miracles had occurred. Their story is brought before you here.’
In the many sections of this book are memoirs of the family members, opening with the father. In the Father’s Words, we read, ‘…in all this path of bloody suffering bloody, persecution and murder, never in the history of the martyrdom of the Jewish people, nor in the history of an of the world’s nations, has it ever reached genocide on such a grand scale. With the occupation of Poland by the Nazis the heaviest blow was landed on the Jews. It was a well-planned system with elaborate technical means that had one aim alone, to annihilate the Jews of Europe.’
From this prelude the words and memoirs of an extraordinary family are shared in a manner that is informative, illuminating, and inspiring. This book is one of the most sensitive reflections on the Holocaust, emphasizing the magnitude of the human spirit. Highly recommended.
Israeli born London based author Efraim Yitshak Pedatsur, a participant as an IDF officer in three of Israel’s wars, heads a fine team of authors in sharing the plight of the Kotowski family – Holocaust survivors – a story first presented in his book HANGING BY A THREAD and now made available to a wider audience as the current form SCATTERED RAYS OF LIGHT. The other authors are Davit Yalovizky, Yaakov Pedatsur, Hanna Krzywanowski, Carl Lewenhoff Marchak, and Yoseph Landau – both descendants of the family as well as members of the Kotowski family who left testimonies of their experience. As the authors have stated, the book ‘was written in loving memory and in honor of the members of our family who were murdered in the holocaust and those who survived it and are no longer with us.’
While there are many books that deal with the Holocaust, few have the impact of this stunning collective memoir/history. In the introductory the reason for the impact of this rendered family history is stated, ‘we would like to stress the amazing and unbelievable fact, a fact which is almost beyond comprehension that the Kotowski family, which had been blessed with eight children, was lucky enough to survive the Holocaust with more than a half of its members making it through alive…They too did not understand nor cold they explain it, except to assume that a sequence of miracles had occurred. Their story is brought before you here.’
In the many sections of this book are memoirs of the family members, opening with the father. In the Father’s Words, we read, ‘…in all this path of bloody suffering bloody, persecution and murder, never in the history of the martyrdom of the Jewish people, nor in the history of an of the world’s nations, has it ever reached genocide on such a grand scale. With the occupation of Poland by the Nazis the heaviest blow was landed on the Jews. It was a well-planned system with elaborate technical means that had one aim alone, to annihilate the Jews of Europe.’
From this prelude the words and memoirs of an extraordinary family are shared in a manner that is informative, illuminating, and inspiring. This book is one of the most sensitive reflections on the Holocaust, emphasizing the magnitude of the human spirit. Highly recommended.
December 4, 2020
Never Forget
This is a story of one Jewish family. The story follows the members from birth, before WWII, during the war and after the war.
It tells the story of their lives, their customs, everyday life, festivals and celebrations. It was all quite interesting to me as I know little of the Jewish people before the war.
The story tells of the horrible conditions imposed on the Jewish people, how some died horrible deaths, were sent to concentration camps or were hidden by the resistance underground. These accounts were hard to read. It was a horrible time in history and no one should have suffered as the Jewish did at the hands of the Nazis' and their sympathizes.
The story tells of their liberation and Grier life after the end of the war, those that survived.
It was a true story, very sad at times, but worthy of being read The author is correct, the story must be told so that we never forget.
This is a story of one Jewish family. The story follows the members from birth, before WWII, during the war and after the war.
It tells the story of their lives, their customs, everyday life, festivals and celebrations. It was all quite interesting to me as I know little of the Jewish people before the war.
The story tells of the horrible conditions imposed on the Jewish people, how some died horrible deaths, were sent to concentration camps or were hidden by the resistance underground. These accounts were hard to read. It was a horrible time in history and no one should have suffered as the Jewish did at the hands of the Nazis' and their sympathizes.
The story tells of their liberation and Grier life after the end of the war, those that survived.
It was a true story, very sad at times, but worthy of being read The author is correct, the story must be told so that we never forget.
December 8, 2022
This is an important book because it tells the story of one Jewish family from Poland and what happened to the individual members of the family during World War II. This is a story of death and survival. It is difficult reading because of the 1st person accounts of the horrific events that occurred to numerous family members who participated in the writing of this book. It is also difficult because there doesn't seem to have been any proofreading or copy editing. Not all of the participants are skilled writers.
We must never forget what happened. History has a way of repeating itself. Antisemitism is on the rise again and we must all be vigilant. There is no place in this world for hate against any group of people.
We must never forget what happened. History has a way of repeating itself. Antisemitism is on the rise again and we must all be vigilant. There is no place in this world for hate against any group of people.
May 8, 2020
Jaw-dropping
Man’s brutal treatment of Jews contrasts with the love in a Jewish family. Miracles, smart decisions, trickery and timing led to either life or death as the Germans invaded Poland and relocated the Jews to concentration camps. Personal stories set in real events. It’s pretty rough in places, and somewhat hard to follow all the parents, children, cousins and friends. It’s awful and sad, but also hopeful and amazing. Well worth reading.
Man’s brutal treatment of Jews contrasts with the love in a Jewish family. Miracles, smart decisions, trickery and timing led to either life or death as the Germans invaded Poland and relocated the Jews to concentration camps. Personal stories set in real events. It’s pretty rough in places, and somewhat hard to follow all the parents, children, cousins and friends. It’s awful and sad, but also hopeful and amazing. Well worth reading.
April 17, 2021
Moving and heartfelt memories
This is a special book because it recounts stories told by family members about their family and the pain and suffering endured during history's darkest hour, the Holocaust, we read about the deaths brought about by the Nazi perpetrators and collaboraters, a sad reminder of how people can be so mean and uncaring. A must read for anyone interested in the Holocaust.
This is a special book because it recounts stories told by family members about their family and the pain and suffering endured during history's darkest hour, the Holocaust, we read about the deaths brought about by the Nazi perpetrators and collaboraters, a sad reminder of how people can be so mean and uncaring. A must read for anyone interested in the Holocaust.
October 14, 2025
This book is a real tour de force—a deeply moving and expertly crafted story that fearlessly examines the complexities of trauma, love, and the arduous journey toward healing. Through the compelling story of Mary Donahue, a brilliant labor lawyer whose meticulously constructed life unravels when her husband Damba is kidnapped, Engber delivers a narrative that is both heart-pounding thriller and intimate character study. A truly engaging read!
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March 22, 2020Insight into life in a different time and place
Interesting reading about Jewish life in the Polish country side a hundred years ago (pre-Hollocaust). Very strange from comfort of the modern US to realize how hard their lives were and how many modern conveniences we take for granted (roads, cars, Liberty)
Interesting reading about Jewish life in the Polish country side a hundred years ago (pre-Hollocaust). Very strange from comfort of the modern US to realize how hard their lives were and how many modern conveniences we take for granted (roads, cars, Liberty)
May 17, 2021
A Moving, Well-Written True Account
The authors have brilliantly combined their talents, hearts and souls to bring to life the story of their family, pre-Holocaust, during, and post Holocaust, fulfilling the dying request of a family patriarch to bear witness. It was a privilege to read the book.
The authors have brilliantly combined their talents, hearts and souls to bring to life the story of their family, pre-Holocaust, during, and post Holocaust, fulfilling the dying request of a family patriarch to bear witness. It was a privilege to read the book.
February 4, 2020
This is about a family and what they did to survive during the war to survive. Some of them found each other after the war and others died. You will live the Holocaust through their eyes. I found it thought provoking. A four starred book for me.
February 9, 2020
Riveting
A book that I could not put down. So hard to imagine the pain the Jewish people suffered during the Holocaust. Let us never forget and thanks to the family that was able to share this personal pain
A book that I could not put down. So hard to imagine the pain the Jewish people suffered during the Holocaust. Let us never forget and thanks to the family that was able to share this personal pain
July 24, 2021
Sad
That a group of people could be so cruel to another group of people. To be influenced by one person to hate and kill is unimaginable but it happened and can never be forgotten. Thankful to people who open up and tell us of their horrors and losses.
That a group of people could be so cruel to another group of people. To be influenced by one person to hate and kill is unimaginable but it happened and can never be forgotten. Thankful to people who open up and tell us of their horrors and losses.
March 11, 2020
Very difficult to read. I didn't like the structure.
July 21, 2021
Strong family ties
A reporting of strong efforts to overcome anti-Semitism by focusing on observing strong religious traditions passed from
generation to generation.
A reporting of strong efforts to overcome anti-Semitism by focusing on observing strong religious traditions passed from
generation to generation.
September 2, 2021
Beautiful testimony
Blessings to this family & its lineage. May we learn from the terrible past so that we don’t repeat it.
Blessings to this family & its lineage. May we learn from the terrible past so that we don’t repeat it.
February 4, 2022
This is a true story about a Jewish family in Poland.
The story depicts moments of happiness. However, it also shows the outright brutality of Nazis toward the Jews.
The story depicts moments of happiness. However, it also shows the outright brutality of Nazis toward the Jews.
January 1, 2020
I've read many memoirs about WWII and this one is equal to those in it's overwhelming tragedy. To have survived the unthinkable and then to tell their tale, the Kotowskis, a Polish Jewish family have done the world a great service. If we forget what has happened we are doomed to repeat it - and indeed, anti-Semitism is rising again as of this writing. This book contains many detailed accounts of what this family went through and at times can feel more like reading a history book than a story of survival. As a mom of 2 little ones who often interrupt my reading time, I found myself needing to reread passages to get caught back up. The story is inspiring but I found the many details didn't stick with me and didn't pull me in as much as other memoirs of this type.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews