Small Miracles of the Holocaust: Extraordinary Coincidences Of Faith, Hope, And Survival

Small Miracles

by Yitta Halberstam, Judith Leventhal

The authors, both second-generation Holocaust survivors, have culled stories from before, during, and after the Holocaust that demonstrate the full strength and power of the human spirit. 

Genres: Holocaust, Nonfiction, History, Short Stories, World War II, Judaism, Jewish

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not as good as I was hoping it to be, and this is why: some of the stories were a bit too 'out there'. I am by no means a Holocaust denier - far from it. I just felt that some of the stories which were people talking about other people's experiences, to be a bit fanciful or of dubious accuracy. For instance, one narrator said that someone's hair turned white overnight from stress. This of course, is not possible. Then there was the story about the 'Jewish soap' bars that were found, which in itself is controversial and possibly apocryphal. The story about the reincarnated Anne Frank was particularly dubious, as were all the ones that involved prophetic dreams. I found the best stories were the ones that were told first hand, and involved coincidences. As unlikely as coincidences are, they can and do happen.
Also, some stories were not well told, which I guess is to be expected with so many different voices telling them. In this case, the editors of the book could have stepped in and helped with that.
I think what labour and concentration camp survivors and what they went through is unbelievably sad and horrifying, including what they faced after liberation. Embellishments are not required. It is things like that, that give fuel to deniers.

[Brooke Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't decide between 3 and 4 stars. I went with 4 just because the short stories I did like, I liked a lot. I can't really judge individual's experiences, but some of these stories were a little "out there" for me. Some were beyond belief (and not in a good way) and some were over-dramatized for the sake of story telling. It's hard to describe (but I'll try). You don't really have to fluff up Holocaust stories to make them incredible, but some of these stories were clearly written by someone other than the person it happened to, and it was like they tried too hard to make it mean something. I would say a good portion of the stories, however, were amazing, and brought tears to my eye more than once.

[Julie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had just finished ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ when I came across this book at a Little Free Library in my neighbourhood. This collection of short stories, based on true true stories from Holocaust survivors is, of course, difficult to read, yet hopeful. So thankful to those who shared their stories.

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the latest book in the NYTBSL Small Miracles Series and I can't get enough! I was privileged to be able to interview and share the story of Jack Dygola (page 123) who has become a local celebrity because of this book, speaking at schools, groups, and universities. This is a book that will stay with you for a very long time - a message of hope, love, miracles, and survival. If you believe in miracles, don't miss this book or any other by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal! The best!

[Joshua McKey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book a long time ago and decided to revisit it. It's amazing to read how God works for His people even in the midst of such turmoil. A series of short stories, and very enjoyable.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read my fair share of a Holocaust books, have listened to survival stories, and have visited Dachau.

This collection of short recollections and memories provided me with the love to learn history but without the usual darkness I feel when enveloping myself into Holocaust history.

A great read for anyone with interest in history, the Holocaust, or those in need of faith in humanity.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As gut wrenching as these stories were it was still absolutely incredible the miracles and what some would call "coincidences" are. I would never call any of these coincidences. They are flat out miracles. I wouldn't even call them small. A miracle is just that. A Miracle. I just cannot comprehend this era no matter how many books about it I read.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have very much enjoyed all the books these 2 ladies have edited, and this was no exception. I really like a true story, especially with a happy ending, and these were all like that. not without heartache, but with many God moments and totally redeeming qualities of other human beings. great little book to read one day at a time.

[HappyGSDmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a collection of short stories this book was interesting enough, but the writing of some of the authors wasn’t edited well. This created some drag and unnecessary detail. It was okay, and several stories were incredible, but I won’t ever want to read it again or have it in my personal library

[Cecelia khåłįśē fâįłę · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true blessing. I think everyone should read it, but especially those of you who enjoy history with a splash of YHWH. The stories from the Holocaust are so terrifying, these (for the most part) have some kind of blessing or goodness to them.

[Laura Valenziano · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you would like to read some uplifting stories about Jewish people, coincidences, the Holocaust and some of the brave, moral people who helped them survive - you should read this book. It is filled with short stories with happy endings.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of extraordinary miracles from the Holocaust involving human compassion and supernatural intervention.

[Wendy R · Rating 4 out of 5]

, to

[Danielle Delahunty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about this book! It's one of my favorite things in life to witness the miracles that HUMANS perform during a tragedy. Human beings do not give up. It's not in their collective nature. They literally move forward with no sense of self in a catastrophe.

The people in this book have done this too. You can read about a catastrophe in the comfort of your safe haven and think, "I would never, I could never, have allowed someone to treat me like that. If need be, I simply would have jumped in front of a gun." You would be wrong, because you are human.

But enough of that, these stories are amazing and well-written and have great endings and make you think. I think this book should be read by every high school student. These stories transmit faith and hope without doing it through religion, it's just there. These people did not give up hope and they were freed by fate the same way they were imprisoned by it and that fits every type of doctrine, so there can be no fights about it in the public schools.

The message and the stories are compelling enough for kids to read and understand, but also they cannot use the stories as an excuse to lose faith in people after doing so.

This is one of my top five favorite books to recommend.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approximately 50 short stories of people who survived the Holocaust due to amazing circumstances or met up with people after the Holocaust which were also amazing, uplifting stories. The people in the stories are, for the most part, Orthodox/observant. I know a number of children of survivors and have known survivors, some of which only started to talk about their experiences in recent years. Some survivors just had wanted to put the past behind them. I recently read a book in simpler Hebrew (easier for me to read, written by Dr. Adina Bar-El. The stories in them were told her by her mother or how she and her mother and brother/s did what they could to survive in Poland. Bar-el's grandfather had gone to Palestine in the summer of 1939 to check it out before bringing his family after the death of his son, and the rest of his family got caught in Poland. Only her mother, Lula, survived. After the war Lula married another survivor and insisted on going to Palestine to find her father. I wish I could reach Yitta Halberstam to put her in contact with Adina Bar-el.

Meanwhile, the stories in this Small Miracles book are very much worth reaidng.

[Amy Hardison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books written about the Holocaust are an emotionally difficult read. Yes, there are times when reading this book that your heart will break. But this book surprisingly lacks the typical heaviness. In the introduction, the authors ask, "Why another book about the Holocaust?" Because this one deals with God's tender mercies, the people who were spared through divine intervention or who experienced miracles in finding their family after the war. It doesn't answer the hard questions--like why some were spared and some weren't-- but it is inspiring and definitely shows a silver lining in a very dark cloud.

[Chytra · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know how it IS possible to feel and experience hope in a time in history that resulted in millions of lost lives, crushed dreams and shattered homes, read this! This is a collection of short stories of survival of real people who lived in the most difficult of times called the Holocaust.

The feeling of sheer joy, hope and good fortune that the survivors felt is told through many short stories. The humane acts of kindness by some people which resulted in the victorious escapes of a few are written as if they were small miracles. Hence, the book is very aptly named :)

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because someone lent it to me. It's a collection of many brief accounts of personal experiences of the Holocaust. Many of them are quite interesting and moving. I didn't like the style of storytelling, however; it was too much like "Chicken Soup for the Soul." Also one or two of the stories beggared belief, like the one about the woman who channels Anne Frank. The person who lent me the book totally agrees.

[Dottie]

This time period always makes me so depressed. So I thought I would use this book to find some light in such a horrible time. The stories are so beautiful, it gives hope to those who have survived. It shows me things I never even knew about the Jewish people and their faith. Thank you for putting this book together. It is wonderful.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another serendipitous experience-- While searching for another book called Small Miracles, I found this book. What an inspiring treasure!!! I highly recommend this book. It is one I definitely want to read again and again.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a series of stories from Holocaust survivors . the stories are mainly ones of good people[ The Righteous] who in big and small ways risked their life and even their families safety to help jewish people survive and live through the horror that befell these persecuted and doomed people

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these short stories of different people who survived the holocaust. Most of the stories had me wishing I could read more and know more. One thing I didn't understand is why the author didn't write the whole word God, and instead wrote G-d.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book about some of the good things that happened during WWII and the holocaust, when horrible things were happening every second of every day.

[Chris Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. This book has some very inspiring stories. I really enjoyed this one.

[Kressel Housman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short and inspirational stories about miraculous survivals and reunions during and after the Holocaust.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books ever written about Holocaust survivor stories! Incredible!

[Shane Gorbel]

aslo good the reason i read this book because im jewish & adopted to jewish family too

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories personalize the facts learned from school textbooks. This book should be required reading for every high school student!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing stories amid the horrors of the Holocaust. I didn't understand all of the references to Jewish customs and beliefs but I can imagine these stories are even more remarkable to those who do.