PDF Summary:Lily's Promise, by Lily Ebert and Dov Forman

Lily Ebert's memoir, Lily's Promise, is a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. The first part vividly recounts her joyful childhood in Hungary and the harrowing horrors she endured during the Holocaust—from the Nazi occupation and forced relocation to the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Lily's sheer will to survive, protect her family, and care for others shines through.

The second part follows Lily's journey to rebuild her life after liberation. She details reuniting with surviving relatives, settling in Israel and later England, raising her children, and eventually realizing her promise to share her story. Lily Ebert's collaboration with Dov Forman creates an intergenerational dialogue to educate future generations about this dark period in history.

(continued)...

Lily fought courageously for her survival amid the harsh environment of the network of camps designed for internment and forced labor.

Lily became isolated from her family members.

Lily's unwavering commitment to safeguarding her siblings and the traumatic ordeal of being torn from her family shaped her path. Mothers tirelessly protected the well-being of their offspring. Bela, one of Lily's brothers and sisters, continued to devoutly follow his religious practices even when confronted with considerable difficulties. As they assembled for work, the harrowing truth set in that reuniting with their loved ones might never happen. Lily took on the responsibilities of a protector and guide for her siblings, providing them with direction and managing the challenges they encountered while residing in the communal living quarters.

Lily's steadfast dedication and resourcefulness were crucial in protecting her sisters' well-being.

During hertime at Auschwitz, Lily held on tightly to her sister's hands and kept track of her family as best she could. She was acutely aware that unity was essential for collective safeguarding and assistance. Her compassion was evident during the fleeting moments of respite when she shared bread and the limited supplies they had at their disposal. During the Holocaust, Lily's life was marked by a lack of basic necessities, but also by small acts of kindness and a relentless will to survive.

Lily exemplifies remarkable resilience, not only protecting her brothers and sisters but also showing ingenuity in the face of daunting challenges. Lily's narrative honors and preserves the experiences of those who did not have the opportunity to voice their own stories.

Lily endeavored to reconstruct her life and reunite her family following the chaos.

Lily's story is a testament to the indomitable nature of human resilience when confronted with inconceivable challenges. Upon liberation from the horrors of the Holocaust, she embarked on a journey to rebuild her life and search for any family members who had also endured and survived.

Lily ultimately found freedom and was able to start anew by settling down in Switzerland.

After her liberation by American forces, Lily was safeguarded by Private Hyman Schulman and Rabbi Herschel Schacter in Switzerland. On May 4, 1945, she was issued an identity card that implored all officials to provide her with the highest level of assistance because of her past imprisonment and forced relocation, which was a consequence of her being Jewish.

Lily ultimately reunited with family members who had also survived the harrowing experience.

Upon receiving a telegram in Switzerland that confirmed her brother Imi's survival, Lily was overwhelmed with happiness. They focused their efforts on locating any surviving family members and the friends they had grown close to during their time spent in the tailoring section of Auschwitz. Lily's reunion with her siblings was deeply emotional and perplexing as they introduced their partners and children to one another for the first time.

While residing at the Hotel Alpina in Engelberg in June 1946, Lily was granted permission to travel to Palestine, which led to her resolve to start afresh in Israel. When Lily arrived in Haifa, Israel, in June 1946, she received a warm reception, which was officially recorded by the Health Department.

Lily settled down, nurturing her children in both Israel and England.

Adjusting to life in a new country, following recent turmoil and the difficulties of establishing a household in a land rife with conflict and shortages, posed its own unique challenges. Meeting Shmuel, an individual characterized by his resilience and self-reliance, who assumed responsibility for her well-being, significantly alleviated her burden. They found joy in each other's company and established a fresh existence in Israel, amidst ongoing strife.

Lily, along with Shmuel, settled in London because of concerns regarding Shmuel's heart health. They made a permanent home there, determined to grasp the opportunities it presented for their children's welfare and future prospects. Lily resolved to create a secure and stable household for her family, despite the challenges of adapting to an unfamiliar culture and surroundings.

She emphasized not wasting food, had a strong sense of communal support, and fiercely safeguarded the well-being of her offspring. She steadfastly endeavored to foster a secure and stable atmosphere that shielded her children from the psychological scars she had endured.

Lily rarely spoke of her past with her relatives, yet her dedication to improving the well-being of her family is unmistakably evident through her post-war efforts, which included creating a family of her own through marriage, raising her children, and actively participating in community projects, as well as her moves initially to Israel and subsequently to England. Lily's legacy of unyielding resilience shines through her family's achievements and warmth, a stark divergence from the sorrow and devastation that marked her earlier years.

Lily's unwavering dedication to recounting her Holocaust experiences and her determination to narrate her personal story.

Lily was initially reluctant to make her experiences known to the general public.

Lily made a firm commitment to shield her relatives from the unsettling aspects of her past.

Lily, from her early years, was determined to record her ordeals from the Holocaust and, when circumstances permitted, to disseminate them, although she often refrained from discussing these memories to protect her family from the anguish. She kept her harrowing past to herself, fearing it might harm her future generations, and made conscious efforts to shield them from the anguish she had endured. Lily's family collectively steered clear of discussing the Holocaust in an effort to protect each other from the anguish associated with that period.

Lily recognized the importance of conveying her story to others.

Lily came to understand that her silence did not afford her the safeguard she had anticipated. The proceedings marked a pivotal moment, underscoring the futility of perpetually concealing the truth from the younger generation. Lily realized her duty to impart her story, acknowledging that children frequently exhibit more wisdom and resilience than they are typically acknowledged for. While imprisoned in the Nazi's concentration camp, Lily made a heartfelt vow to disclose the horrors of the Holocaust to the world if she survived. She came to understand that recounting the atrocities she endured could help prevent such calamities from occurring again in the future. Lily made a vow to ensure the perpetuation and worldwide sharing of these memories. She emphasized her dedication by embarking on a campaign to educate people regarding the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Lily is dedicated to educating the youth on the historical events of the Holocaust.

Lily Ebert dedicated herself to preserving history through sharing her personal narratives and by contributing to various commemorative and educational activities. She engaged in numerous speaking engagements, addressing the British parliament and contributing to a symposium designed to heighten consciousness regarding the mass extermination that occurred during the global conflict from 1939 to 1945. Her distressing ordeal, which lasted over two and a half hours, has been documented and can be accessed by the public at the British Library.

Lily Ebert demonstrated a strong commitment to education by playing a significant role in establishing an institution where she shared her own experiences to emphasize the importance of Holocaust awareness. Her participation in the global commemoration was fulfilling, echoing her deep-seated desire to share insights about past events. The heartfelt correspondence from young attendees following her presentations genuinely demonstrated the profound effect her narrative made upon being shared.

Lily collaborated with Dov, her direct descendant, to recount the narrative of her existence.

Educational outreach initiatives spearheaded by Lily Ebert have garnered significant backing from her great-grandson, Dov Forman. The book "Lily's Promise," chronicling her life story, was a collaborative effort between Lily Ebert and Dov Forman among other initiatives. Dov's deep engagement with the life story of his great grandmother helps to bridge the gap of understanding for his contemporaries.

Dov skillfully harnessed modern online platforms such as TikTok and Twitch to expand the audience for Lily's story, connecting with people who might not have been reached through conventional means. The joint effort among different generations highlights the enduring importance of educating about the Holocaust, emphasizing the role of individual stories in fostering understanding and preventing intolerance and ignorance. Lily finds solace in the thought that her stories and legacy will be preserved and shared through the generations by her great-grandson.

The story does not delve into the author's participation in educational programs or memorial efforts, nor does it mention her joint efforts with her great-grandson Dov to share her Holocaust story via the provided excerpts. Dov and Lily's collaboration in producing "Lily's Promise" highlights their shared commitment to Holocaust education and the power that comes from sharing individual narratives.