What do you think?
Rate this book
A Life Inherited: Unraveling the Trauma of a Second-Generation Holocaust Survivor
Rena Lipiner Katz grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust believing that the price of her parents’ survival and her own birth was a life of sorrow and guilt. Lipiner Katz explores how her parents’ childhood trauma affected her emotionally and physiologically. Determined to forge a life separate from the legacy of the Holocaust, Lipiner Katz had to first understand how her parents’ experiences during the war impacted her world view, her relationships, and the myriad of choices she made as a child, wife, mother, and wife again. Through her journey as a Second-Generation Holocaust Survivor she ultimately found a life that is free of inherited pain and full of meaning and love.
From her struggles to unravel and leave behind the trauma of the past, Rena’s story reveals universal truths that will resound in the reader’s mind long after.
From her struggles to unravel and leave behind the trauma of the past, Rena’s story reveals universal truths that will resound in the reader’s mind long after.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2022
61 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Rena Lipiner Katz
2 books11 followersRena Lipiner Katz was born in New York and raised by parents whose lives were irrevocably shaped by the trauma of the Holocaust. She is a mother who has struggled to raise her children to be undefined by this trauma but has found it to be an elusive goal.
Rena holds master’s and post master’s degrees in social work, and is now a writer and entrepreneur.
She lives in Tel-Aviv and New York with her husband Ron and celebrate the memory of their intrepid Italian sheepdog, Wilbur.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 27, 2022
Rtc if I have mental strength.
November 14, 2022
Emotional
I am not sure what to say about the depth of emotion portrayed in this book. It's obvious that Katz's parents' childhoods affected her upbringing, but she seemed to fight against it so hard. So, while I found myself a bit uncomfortable with the amount of emotion expressed, I needed to keep reading; I wanted Katz to be happy and find peace. It's a well-written book.
I am not sure what to say about the depth of emotion portrayed in this book. It's obvious that Katz's parents' childhoods affected her upbringing, but she seemed to fight against it so hard. So, while I found myself a bit uncomfortable with the amount of emotion expressed, I needed to keep reading; I wanted Katz to be happy and find peace. It's a well-written book.
November 4, 2022
Not what I thought
It seems that I was again mislead by the title. The book was ok, it jumped around a lot. I thought it would be more about the Holocaust, it wasn't.
It seems that I was again mislead by the title. The book was ok, it jumped around a lot. I thought it would be more about the Holocaust, it wasn't.
November 11, 2022
This is an extraordinary story of resilience, persistence and love. The author weaves a tapestry of how her parents' trauma of the Holocaust was passed down to the next generation, how it affected her thinking and judgment, and how it affected her parenting and relationships. Beautiful writing, coupled with a fascinating lesson in context. Exceptionally important, relevant, and eye-opening. Thank you, Rena, for sharing your life and your heart.
March 2, 2023
As a 72 year old Jewish woman, this went right to my heart. Many of our family friends were Jewish and their children my age. This book helped me to understand where those different emotions played out.
Although my parents were not in the Holocaust, many of the worries they had, as I did as their daughter,
One of the best books on the Holocaust I have read.
Although my parents were not in the Holocaust, many of the worries they had, as I did as their daughter,
One of the best books on the Holocaust I have read.
March 31, 2023
As a second generation Holocaust survivor I totally relate to the intergenerational trauma that we seem to have inherited. Although its manifestation evolves differently in each household. Rena Lupiner Katz eloquently describes her own experience and how it she has passed it on to the next generation despite her efforts to shield her sons. I wish I could share a hug with her.
March 17, 2023
This book resonated with me in a deep level. The author is an excellent writer who managed to convey the complexity of being a child of Holocaust survivors into clear view. A lot of similarities to my own life.
January 22, 2023
A Life Inherited: Unraveling The Trauma of a Second Generation Holocaust Survivor is by Rena Lipiner Katz. Although Rena is a second-generation Holocaust survivor, I fail to see how this fact affected her life so much. Her parents never talked or stressed what happened to them; but she knew they were Holocaust survivors. Other than the need to please them or not to cause them pain, I am unable to make the connection between that and being an abused wife.
Although she was abused for years, as many abused wives do, she believed it was her fault for making him lose his temper and hit her. As with many abused wives, she covered up his actions from her children as well as outsiders. She didn’t realize how manipulative her husband was until the custody issue of their sons came up in the divorce.
I kept hoping the connection between abuse and being a child of Holocaust survivors would be made; but as far as I could see, it wasn’t. However, her story was stirring and did make a point that an abusive marriage was not inevitable and could be escaped from if others knew about it.
Although she was abused for years, as many abused wives do, she believed it was her fault for making him lose his temper and hit her. As with many abused wives, she covered up his actions from her children as well as outsiders. She didn’t realize how manipulative her husband was until the custody issue of their sons came up in the divorce.
I kept hoping the connection between abuse and being a child of Holocaust survivors would be made; but as far as I could see, it wasn’t. However, her story was stirring and did make a point that an abusive marriage was not inevitable and could be escaped from if others knew about it.
November 26, 2023
Written from the heart, the author bares her soul explaining the trauma, and emotional pain she has lived with resulting from what her parents experienced during the Holocaust. In her wonderful writing style, she powerfully communicates the true horror and evil of what her family and millions of others endured. In great detail she explains the emotional and psychological impacts that it had on her and her family‘s lives. Her ability to ultimately survive and triumph was very inspirational. It also gave me more confidence in the idea that there is a generational passing down of trauma.
November 10, 2022
Gripping Story of a Quest For Peace And Escape
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 16, 2022
This book is a beautifully written story of overcoming inherited pain and grief. Rena Lipiner Katz tells her story as a child of Holocaust Survivors in tandem with her mother and father’s story escaping the Nazis as children. The book aims at the heart as the author describes her quest for peace and escape from her abusive marriage and ultimately finding the love of her life. Also, the author’s description of the intergenerational transmission of memory is fascinating. I could not put this book down!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 16, 2022
This book is a beautifully written story of overcoming inherited pain and grief. Rena Lipiner Katz tells her story as a child of Holocaust Survivors in tandem with her mother and father’s story escaping the Nazis as children. The book aims at the heart as the author describes her quest for peace and escape from her abusive marriage and ultimately finding the love of her life. Also, the author’s description of the intergenerational transmission of memory is fascinating. I could not put this book down!
November 9, 2022
Author Rena Lipiner Katz will captivate you and draw you into her heart with each shared memory. As I read her story, I cried with her, laughed with her, hurt for her, cheered her on, and saw her grow. She battled the demons in her life and took away their power. She is brave, compassionate, loving and fierce. She is a champion.
I never understood the complexity of being a 2nd Generation Holocaust survivor. Thank you, Rena, for educating me.
I never understood the complexity of being a 2nd Generation Holocaust survivor. Thank you, Rena, for educating me.
March 12, 2024
Focused less on being 2G than personal issues
As a 2G myself, I was disappointed by this book. Maybe the first quarter or so dealt with issues related to how she was shaped by the Shoah. From then on, it became a memoir on an abused wife and mother. I ended up skimming past quite a bit of her story as I couldn’t relate. Near the end, she tied up some of the pieces to her 2G experiences, but, by then, I had lost interest. Sorry!
As a 2G myself, I was disappointed by this book. Maybe the first quarter or so dealt with issues related to how she was shaped by the Shoah. From then on, it became a memoir on an abused wife and mother. I ended up skimming past quite a bit of her story as I couldn’t relate. Near the end, she tied up some of the pieces to her 2G experiences, but, by then, I had lost interest. Sorry!
March 17, 2023
Thanks to GoodReads and the Author, Rena Lipiner Katz, for a free Kindle Edition of this Amazing Book!
I really enjoyed reading the author’s true to life story… Not that it was enjoyable to read about all of the pain and despair she endured throughout her life. It was a very touching story… Heartbreaking, to say the least… & One that I won’t soon forget.
I really enjoyed reading the author’s true to life story… Not that it was enjoyable to read about all of the pain and despair she endured throughout her life. It was a very touching story… Heartbreaking, to say the least… & One that I won’t soon forget.
October 3, 2023
easy to read
This book kept me captivated right through. Having experienced violence in my family growing up I am proud of my two brothers for being caring non violent or drinking men. The victim never made the person violent. It was inside that person unable to control themselves in certain situations. The bringing in of epigenetics very interesting
This book kept me captivated right through. Having experienced violence in my family growing up I am proud of my two brothers for being caring non violent or drinking men. The victim never made the person violent. It was inside that person unable to control themselves in certain situations. The bringing in of epigenetics very interesting
January 1, 2023
Wow! There are no words to describe how amazing and special this book is! The writing is brilliant and I couldn’t stop reading it! This author is my new favorite! This book touches your heart and I will never forget Rena’s amazing journey. I can’t wait for her next book!!!
November 12, 2022
Stunning in both its depth and literary prowess.
August 10, 2023
This book of a fellow second generation Holocaust survivor as our generation is called despite not being alive during the Holocaust was fascinating, because it was so different than my experience.
The book is well written, characters are alive, and the voice very powerful.The main character- presumably the author-was affected by the war experiences of her family during the war from early childhood. The trauma as real for her, the worry that the Nazis would come and arrest them all...I didn't find out about being Jewish till I was 14, ,my parents didn't tell me to protect me.
I was cross, like any teenager finding out about a family secret. Now I wonder... Was it a wise decision ? I could cope better as an older teenager and adult when I found out the horrible details. Now I am much closer to my Jewish identity,and I installed Stolpersteine on a Prague pavement to remind my family and other people.
The book is well written, characters are alive, and the voice very powerful.The main character- presumably the author-was affected by the war experiences of her family during the war from early childhood. The trauma as real for her, the worry that the Nazis would come and arrest them all...I didn't find out about being Jewish till I was 14, ,my parents didn't tell me to protect me.
I was cross, like any teenager finding out about a family secret. Now I wonder... Was it a wise decision ? I could cope better as an older teenager and adult when I found out the horrible details. Now I am much closer to my Jewish identity,and I installed Stolpersteine on a Prague pavement to remind my family and other people.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews