A survivor who wants to ensure we learn from the mistakes of the past
THERE are some experiences that are outside our imagination. We all share complaints every day, in conversations, in the papers, about the state of roads, social welfare, taxation, politicians, the country as a whole. Above that level of inconvenience come those who are struggling with perhaps an illness, a bereavement, a real challenge in life, and trying to find the strength to cope through publishing an article or a book about their problems. Sometimes though comes something which describes anexperience of such hideous enormity that it is difficult to believe anyone could live through it and survive, much less be capable of setting down every appalling detail. We talk about the minor sufferings, but huge ones must be pushed out of sight if the human mind is to remain steady.
That is exactly what Tomi Reichental did for over half a century. It was only when the school attended by his grandchildren learned of his past and asked him to speak to a class, that he pushed open a door that had long remained locked, barred and bolted. A door which led to the world of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, as experienced by a bewildered child of just seven years old.
