The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor: Book Overview

Have you ever wondered what it was like to survive the horrors of Auschwitz? Can you imagine enduring unimaginable experiments as a child and still finding the strength to forgive?

Eva Mozes Kor's The Twins of Auschwitz book tells the incredible story of two sisters who survived Nazi medical experiments. You'll learn about their journey from a small Romanian village to the concentration camps, and how they rebuilt their lives after the war.

Read on to discover how Eva's experiences shaped her views on forgiveness and led her to become a powerful advocate for Holocaust education.

Overview of The Twins of Auschwitz

The Twins of Auschwitz book by Eva Mozes Kor follows the harrowing experience of twin sisters Eva and Miriam at Auschwitz. As young children, they survived Mengele's cruel experiments and the camp's severe conditions. After liberation, Eva committed herself to raising awareness of the Holocaust, establishing an organization to locate other survivors of Mengele's twin experiments.

Eva's exceptional life journey explored forgiveness, from the controversial decision to forgive Nazis to promoting peace through education. She discovered freedom through forgiveness, turning her struggles into a powerful story of resilience and hope.

Eva's Early Life in Romania

Eva and Miriam Mozes were identical twin sisters born in the small Romanian village of Portz. As the youngest of four siblings, they grew up in a close-knit Jewish family. Their early years were marked by the love and care of their parents, but also by the growing tensions in pre-war Romania.

Eva's relationship with her father was complex. As the youngest child, she felt the weight of her father's unfulfilled desire for a son. In Jewish tradition, sons typically lead communal prayers and chant the Kaddish. Eva's assertive nature reminded her father of the son he never had, though his focus on her wasn't always positive. This dynamic shaped Eva's early experiences and likely contributed to her resilience later in life.

In contrast, Eva's mother was a well-educated woman who valued community involvement and instilled a love of learning in her children. She made sure the twins always wore matching outfits made from the finest fabrics in the city, a detail that would later play a crucial role in their fate at Auschwitz. The twins were cherished by their family, and their mother's emphasis on education and literature provided a strong foundation for their future.

Rising Anti-Semitism in Romania

As the war years approached, hostility towards Jews in Romania intensified. This shift in social climate dramatically affected the Mozes family's life, exposing them to discrimination and violence that would ultimately lead to their deportation.

When Hungary allied with Hitler and Nazi Germany, anti-Semitism in Romania reached new heights. Eva and Miriam faced bullying and physical aggression from their classmates, mirroring the broader community's growing hostility towards Jews. Their mother tried to comfort them, emphasizing the need to persevere through difficult times. Their father shared this perspective, hoping to avoid conflict and maintain a peaceful existence.

The family's attempts to maintain normalcy became increasingly difficult. They faced baseless accusations and harsh treatment at school. Neighborhood hostility escalated to violence, with their home being pelted with objects and windows shattered. This forced the family to seek refuge within their own walls, a stark contrast to their previously open and community-oriented lifestyle.

The situation worsened when a member of a fascist political faction and his associates intensified the danger. They obstructed the family's attempts to flee, ultimately leading to their capture. This series of events marked the end of the twins' peaceful childhood in Portz and foreshadowed the horrors they would face in the Holocaust.

Failed Attempts to Escape

Eva's father, recognizing the growing danger, supported the idea of relocating to Palestine. He envisioned a life free from persecution for his family. However, Eva's mother resisted these efforts. She believed their rural home would protect them from the rising tide of anti-Semitism. She also felt a deep sense of duty to care for her ailing mother, which prevented her from considering leaving.

This decision would later be a source of regret when the opportunity to escape had vanished. The family's attempts to flee proved futile, resulting in their capture and the prolonged suffering that followed. It's a poignant reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and how decisions made in moments of relative safety can have far-reaching consequences.

Arrival at Auschwitz

In 1944, at the age of ten, Eva and Miriam were forcibly taken from their home in Romania. Along with other Jewish individuals, they endured the harrowing journey in a cattle car to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. The scene that greeted them upon arrival was one of chaos and terror - barbed wire enclosures, watchtowers, SS patrols, and vicious guard dogs.

The twins experienced a devastating separation from their loved ones. They were quickly divided from their mother by SS officers who noticed their matching burgundy outfits. This moment of separation would be the last time they saw their parents and older siblings. The realization that they were alone in this terrifying new world must have been overwhelming for the young girls.

That evening in Birkenau, Eva and Miriam were confronted with the grim reality of their situation. They understood that a tragic fate awaited many of those who arrived with them - the horror of lethal gassing followed by cremation. This knowledge would shape their experiences in the camp and their determination to survive.

Life in the Concentration Camp

The conditions Eva and Miriam faced in Auschwitz were deplorable. They were given imitation coffee and dark bread that didn't comply with dietary regulations, leaving them hungry and malnourished. The sight of children's lifeless bodies in the restroom strengthened Eva's resolve to survive, even amidst the horrific conditions of large rats, vomit, and excrement.

The twins spent much of their time picking lice off each other, trying to crush them with their fingernails. Their living quarters were marked by extremely poor conditions - lack of cleanliness, insufficient lighting, inadequate air circulation, and an overwhelming stench. These conditions took a toll on their physical and mental health, but they persevered.

Mengele's Twin Experiments

Dr. Josef Mengele, the infamous Nazi physician, selected Eva and Miriam for his cruel medical research because they were twins. They were given tattoos for identification purposes - Eva became A-7063, while Miriam was A-7064. Their survival hinged entirely on being subjects in Mengele's research.

Mengele placed great importance on the twins, becoming enraged if any were found dead. Eva and Miriam underwent comprehensive and intrusive evaluations. Their irises were compared to color charts, and they were subjected to a series of radiographic scans. In the midst of these horrors, they found small comforts. They sought solace in the rhythmic activity of knitting, using improvised needles they created from the sharp coils of fencing material.

Physical and Psychological Trauma

Mengele's experiments inflicted immeasurable physical and psychological distress on Eva and Miriam. They endured numerous injections, blood withdrawals, vaccinations, and intentional infections with diseases like scarlet fever. Their bodies were covered in sores and scars, and they lived in constant fear of doctors' visits.

Eva suffered from a condition that was likely beriberi or spotted fever, resulting in high fever and acute pain. Her struggle for survival was made even more difficult by severe malnutrition. In a clever act of self-preservation, Eva meticulously adjusted her temperature records to deceive Mengele, a tactic that played a crucial role in her survival.

Bonds With Other Prisoners

Despite the terror they faced daily, Eva and Miriam found solace in the company of other imprisoned twins. They established networks of support, exchanged crucial survival techniques, and worked together on tasks like meal preparation. During the quiet of night, their shared silence provided a fleeting comfort amidst their isolation.

The bond between Eva and Miriam acted as a stronghold, allowing them to endure the constant desolation and survive the unimaginable. Even in their darkest moments, acts of kindness emerged. Eva recounts an instance when a woman offered her food and a slice of birthday cake, symbolizing the resilience of the human spirit that Mengele sought to destroy.

Liberation and Aftermath

Eva and Miriam's liberation from Auschwitz marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. They had survived the atrocities of the camp, including Mengele's plan for Eva's death to serve as a point of comparison during the examination of Miriam's body. Eva's quiet determination to survive with her sister had paid off.

The end of their confinement was heralded by a landscape covered in snow. Despite the chaos of liberation, Eva's unwavering quest led to their reunion. When they found each other, they embraced and vowed never to separate again. This moment of joy, however, was tempered by the devastating realization that they were the sole survivors of the Mozes family.

Post-War Challenges

After liberation, Eva and Miriam faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. They remained at Auschwitz for two weeks before embarking on their journey. Wisely, they avoided the common pitfall of overindulgence that often ensnared survivors, eventually seeking refuge in an orphanage.

Their path back to normalcy was fraught with obstacles. They spent time with Mrs. Csengeri and the Goldenthals at various facilities for displaced persons. These protectors offered solace and helped with practical matters like delousing. Despite these hardships, the twins felt a sense of inclusion with their new guardians.

Return to Romania

Eva and Miriam's journey back to Romania was filled with hope of reuniting with surviving relatives. Upon arrival, they were reunited with their Aunt Irena and cousin Shmilu, who had also survived Auschwitz. However, their return to the farm in Portz was heartbreaking. They found a desolate and ransacked residence, silently bearing witness to the absence of their parents.

Living under the care of Aunt Irena in Cluj provided some stability, but it wasn't without its challenges. While Aunt Irena's apartment was luxurious, there was an absence of physical affection and the comforting touch one would expect from a maternal figure. Eva and Miriam received practical support but felt an emotional detachment.

Moving to Israel

The creation of the State of Israel provided a new opportunity for Eva and her relatives. Motivated by the fulfillment of their ancestors' dream, they felt a profound urge to embark on the arduous journey to the newly founded nation. They began their journey in compliance with established regulations, starting the first leg of their trip in their current clothes, prepared for the voyage ahead.

This move to Israel marked a significant turning point in Eva's life. It provided a fresh start and a chance to build a new life in a Jewish homeland. The experience of helping to build a new nation likely contributed to Eva's later activism and commitment to education.

Founding Candles

In 1985, Eva founded an organization called CANDLES (Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors) with the mission to support twins who had suffered under Mengele's experiments. This initiative was motivated by the lasting effects of the Holocaust on survivors like herself and her sister.

Through CANDLES, Eva initiated a movement to garner support and press officials to actively seek out Josef Mengele. She dedicated herself to the broader mission of ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust would be permanently imprinted in the collective memory of society. This work became a crucial part of Eva's life, allowing her to turn her traumatic experiences into a force for education and remembrance.

Candles Holocaust Museum

In 1995, Eva played a pivotal role in founding the CANDLES Holocaust Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana. This institution started as a tribute to the Holocaust and later expanded its focus to include broader educational programs. The museum underscored Eva's steadfast dedication to raising awareness, especially among youth.

At the museum, Eva conducted educational sessions and led groups, successfully conveying the historical truths of the Holocaust to a diverse audience. Her personal experiences and commitment to education made these sessions particularly impactful, helping to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust would not be forgotten.

Eva's Journey to Forgiveness

Eva's personal transformation from anger and bitterness to forgiveness is a central part of her story. She committed to sharing her experiences and underscored the pivotal importance of forgiveness in the journey to recovery. This stance wasn't always accepted, particularly by other Holocaust survivors, but Eva saw it as a path to self-empowerment and mastery over her history.

As an educator focused on Holocaust studies, Eva delivered more than three thousand lectures, wrote multiple books, and profoundly influenced many individuals with her insights on resilience, forgiveness, and hope. Her address during the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz underscored her dedication to preventing future atrocities. She proposed a Declaration of Amnesty, focusing on the significance of mercy and understanding.

Lasting Impact of the Holocaust

The Holocaust left deep and lasting effects on Eva's life and mental health. She frequently experienced nightmares, including visions of unnervingly large rats and soap bars that seemed to speak with the voices of her departed relatives. The knowledge that during the Holocaust, the Nazi regime converted the remains of some victims into soap exacerbated her post-traumatic stress.

Eva also developed a deep-seated skepticism towards healthcare practitioners. The horrific sights and sounds of suffering and death that filled the infirmary at Auschwitz left an indelible mark on her mind. As a result, those often regarded as agents of healing had now become associated with the source of her suffering.

Survival and Resilience

Throughout her life, Eva focused on surviving the present circumstances, often avoiding thoughts of previous experiences. This could have been a psychological survival strategy or a result of the trauma she endured. She felt a profound void when separated from her twin sister, Miriam, as they had consistently been each other's support system.

Eva's resilience was remarkable. She remained steadfast amidst suffering and bereavement, chanting mantras of endurance daily, through each challenge, and with every inoculation. This determination to safeguard her sister and withstand the inconceivable became a defining characteristic of her life.

Controversial Forgiveness

Eva's decision to forgive those associated with the Nazi regime, including Dr. Mengele, ignited substantial controversy. Many Holocaust survivors and others firmly believed that forgiveness should be reserved for those who actively seek it and demonstrate sincere commitment to rectifying their wrongs.

Eva argued that if the person who was wronged allows the wrongdoer to set the conditions for making amends by anticipating their demonstration of regret, it simply gives the wrongdoer power over the victim. Her perspective was showcased in the film Forgiving Dr. Mengele, which brought her story to a wider audience.

Forgiveness in Practice

Eva's stance on forgiveness was put to the test during the trial of Oskar Gröning, known as the "Bookkeeper of Auschwitz." In this context, Eva conveyed the conviction that absolution does not free an individual from their responsibilities. She proposed that by imparting his wisdom to students, Gröning could enhance their education and deter the resurgence of neo-fascist ideologies.

Eva also facilitated connections between members of the Third Reich and German military personnel, promoting personal reconciliation. A notable example was Michael Wörle's proactive approach to contact her despite the atrocious deeds of the leader who influenced his grandfather. These actions demonstrated Eva's commitment to putting her philosophy of forgiveness into practice.

Legacy of Forgiveness and Education

Even in her final days, Eva remained committed to her mission of education and forgiveness. She ended her life sharing her story with gratitude and joy. Her lasting influence is reflected in her discussions on the essential importance of forgiveness in healing across the globe.

Eva's public addresses highlighted the significance of forgiving others as an essential path to attaining joy and freedom from suffering. She likened it to a challenging climb toward a summit where one discovers peace. Eva chose to embrace forgiveness, not to negate the severity of the horrific acts or to diminish her suffering, but to reclaim authority over her personal narrative.

Through her work with CANDLES, her museum, and her public speaking, Eva ensured that her experiences and her message would continue to educate and inspire long after her passing. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the human capacity for resilience, forgiveness, and hope in the face of unimaginable horror.