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At 75, Aaron Herskowitz and his beloved Helen returned to Bilke. It was the first time since World War II. It was only after much convincing from their children that they were able to get their father and mother, also a native Bilker and Auschwitz survivor, to make the journey.
Howard, who has been fascinated with his father’s stories since childhood, hadn’t truly understood his parents’ reluctance to return. Together, Aaron and his family revisited familiar countryside while Howard used video and audio to record his father’s fascinating memories.
Aaron’s family
Circa 1925 (clockwise from far left): sisters Hannah, Sarah and Rachel, brother Harry, sister Bela, maternal grandmother Reisel Klein, grandfather Jacob Klein, Aaron’s father Jacob Herskowitz, mother Paula, Aaron and sister Leah.
Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz-Josef
Aaron’s family revered Emperor Franz-Josef (1830-1916), who emancipated his Jewish citizens.
Aaron returns to Bilke
Showing that he survived to return to his hometown Bilke several decades after the war.
Aaron and friend
Aaron’s family had bred horses, and after immigrating to America, he was able to return to a childhood passion.