A Day in Auschwitz

In June of 2015, I joined Eva Mozes Kor’s tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Krakow in Poland. This was a big step for someone who suffers from severe anxiety attacks. Somehow with much prayer and by only God’s Hand, I was able to board the plane and fly to Eastern Europe. The first full day in Krakow was spent exploring the old city. That night, I was afraid and couldn’t sleep. The following day we were to tour Auschwitz, more specifically Birkenau. In my mind that had to be the darkest, most evil place on the face of the earth. I confided to my sister and mother that I was scared to death. They assured me that they would be in prayer for me and that it might not be as bad as what I imagined.

            

I don’t want to be the one cowering in the corner, sobbing hysterically. I told God.

            

I wanted to be brave.

            

When we reached the camp, and on walking through its entrance, the fear melted away. The clouds had pushed the sun aside and a cold rain fell. My hat did little to keep me dry and I was shivering until one of the directors felt sorry for me and lent me their jacket.

           

I waited and the impact of standing in a former death camp never did hit me. Truth be told, I felt numb. For me going to Auschwitz was like going to a very large museum or memorial. Or maybe a graveyard is a better description.

            

Off and on, Eva, a rabbi and a minister prayed that the weather would improve and that God would send us a little sun. I was a little surprised since rumor had it that she had been an atheist.

This inspired me to ask, “What are your thoughts on God?”

            

“Well,” Eva said. “I don’t believe that God was there in Auschwitz with us. With all that happened, I can’t believe it.” She turned to the rabbi and the minister for their thoughts and of course they gave the usual explanations.

            

I didn’t mind what she said; she had a right to her beliefs and I would have rather heard more of her opinions than theirs. Still it felt a little ironic that Eva continued to ask God for better weather and speak to Him off and on.

            

As the day wore on, Eva’s prayers were answered and the weather did improve. The clouds parted and the sun began to shine.

            

I don’t know what the others on the tour felt, but for me that was a sign from God, that in the midst of the darkness of that place, He was there watching over us. And that no matter what, with Him there was hope. 

On My Way

Okay, I said I’d update this blog more often, especially in regards to my trip to Poland and Auschwitz. Well, as usual, life got in the way, just as it so often does. And today is the first day of my grand adventure. We travel to Chicago’s O’Hare airport, then fly to Warsaw and switch planes, then fly to Krakow. All very nerve-wrecking for an anxiety-ridden agoraphobic like me, but exciting none-the-less.

Hopefully I will write a few blog entries about my journey when I get back home. At least a couple. But if you’re really interested (the two of you, LOL!) check out my Facebook page. I’ll be posting pictures and mini-updates there.

I’d like to thank my Mom and sister for helping and supporting me in this. As well as my aunts who rallied behind me and sent me much encouragement. I also thank my cousins and friends who were just as excited as I was. Thank you, I love you all.

Until next time!

“Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor,” by Alyson Herzig, Jessica Azar

BOOK DESCRIPTION

If you’re living with a mental illness, you’re in good company. Disease doesn’t discriminate; One in four people suffer from mental illness, and yet the stigma still remains. “Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor” contains stories of hope, despair, and hilarity by writers who are walking the mental health journey, as they discuss their experiences with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Anorexia, Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder and more. While the lows of living with mental illness can be devastating, the disease doesn’t define the lives of these contributors, and it doesn’t have to define yours, either. Some of these essays will make your heart ache, some will make you cry with laughter, but in reading this Anthology you will see that living with mental illness doesn’t equal a life of endless misery. Join us as we ‘laugh stigma into submission’ by growing attitudes of acceptance and compassion.

To purchase “Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor,” click here.

THE AUTHORS

Alyson Herzig

A former Jersey Girl, Alyson has moved to the Midwest but has kept her cynical sarcastic ways. She shares the many disasters and epic fails in her life on her personal blog, TheShitastrophy.com. She helps all her readers realize they could have it a lot worse, they could be her. From family debacles to observational wit she bares it all. Alyson has an essay in the anthology My Other Ex, Women's True Stories of Leaving and Losing Friendships, as well as in the anthology Not Your Mothers Book On Working for a Living. Alyson is also the co-creator of a soon-to-be released anthology titled Surviving Mental Illness with Humor.

Jessica Azar

Jessica Azar, writes while raising four stair-step kids, known affectionately as The Herd, with her husband and college sweetheart in her Alabama hometown. She blogs at Herd Management and humorously details the adventures and mishaps of being a homeschooling, work-at-home-mom. She also happens to like running and Single Malt Scotch a whole lot. Jessica co-edited a mental health anthology entitled Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor, and has had essays published in humor anthologies like Clash of the Couples. She is a Huffington Post Blogger, POPSUGAR Select Blogger, a NickMom Ambassador/Writer and does marketing work for various prominent brands. Her published work can be read on POPSUGAR, Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, NickMom.Com, Venn Magazine, BluntMoms and other online locations.

MY THOUGHTS
Okay, I am a little biased towards this book, because a short story of mine entitled, “The Attack,” was included in this anthology. With that aside, as someone who has suffered from anxiety attacks, depression and at times agoraphobia, I really felt in good company with the other contributors. Ten years ago, I viewed myself as some kind of a freak of nature, unable to break out of the prison I was in. While I am not “cured,” I am taking part in the world again. “Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor,” reminded me that I am not alone in the world. While mental illness is nothing to joke about, those of us who have one form of it or another have learned that laughter is the best medicine. We have shed enough tears, it is time to let out a few laughs.

Not only do I thank Alyson and Jessica for including me, I appreciate their efforts to bring further awareness to the subject.

“Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics,” by Kathryn J. Atwood

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In time for the 2014 centennial of the start of the Great War, this book brings to life the brave and often surprising exploits of 16 fascinating women from around the world who served their countries at a time when most of them didn’t even have the right to vote. Readers meet 17-year-old Frenchwoman Emilienne Moreau, who assisted the Allies as a guide and set up a first-aid post in her home to attend to the wounded; Russian peasant Maria Bochkareva, who joined the Imperial Russian Army by securing the personal permission of Tsar Nicholas II, was twice wounded in battle and decorated for bravery, and created and led the all-women combat unit the “Women’s Battalion of Death” on the eastern front; and American journalist Madeleine Zabriskie Doty, who risked her life to travel twice to Germany during the war in order to report back the truth, whatever the cost. These and other suspense-filled stories of brave girls and women are told through the use of engaging narrative, dialogue, direct quotes, and document and diary excerpts to lend authenticity and immediacy. Introductory material opens each section to provide solid historical context, and each profile includes informative sidebars and “Learn More” lists of relevant books and websites, making this a fabulous resource for students, teachers, parents, libraries, and homeschoolers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn J. Atwood is the author of “Women Heroes of World War II,” “Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics,” and the editor of “Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent.” She has contributed to War, Literature, and the Arts, PopMatters.com, Midwest Book Review, and Women’s Independent Press. To learn more about her, check out her website at http://kathrynatwood.com.

MY THOUGHTS:

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by author Kathryn J. Atwood and offered a free copy of her first book (Women Heroes of WWII) and in return I would do a book review of it on my blog. Then she asked if I would also do a review on her latest work, “Women Heroes of World War I: Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies and Medics.” I had some prior knowledge of WWI, although my interest mainly lies with WWII and the Holocaust. The cause of WWI stemmed from various conditions going on in Europe, mostly to do with nationalism. Unlike WWII, there was no definitive good and bad side. After four years of continual fighting, the war came to an end in 1918 and though the Allies were the victors, much of the world was still in chaos. The war spawned revolutions, economical failures and twenty years later a second world war.

During the war, on all sides, while men fought, the women stepped up and not only took on more masculine occupations, they took an active part in the war itself. From rescuing downed pilots, to spying, to nursing, women were determined to prove themselves. Of all the accounts included in this book, I think it was Edith Cavell’s story that resonated with me the most. While I was happy to see the Romanovs, Russia’s royal family, and their contributions were mentioned as well. Though a genuinely good family, they were poor rulers; however they were actively involved in the war effort. The Tsarina and her daughters nursed wounded soldiers. What surprised me was how many Russian women fought alongside the men. It was estimated that at least 1000 women fought.

I love “Women Heroes of World War I: Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies and Medics,” and may have learned more from it than I did Atwood’s previous book. It is perfect for teens, or anyone really, looking for an introduction to WWI history. Well, and women’s history too. Thank you, Kathryn Atwood for sending this book to me!

"Women Heroes of World War II," by Kathryn J. Atwood Book Review

"All evil needs to triumph is for good men [and women] to sit and do nothing."- Sir Edmund Burke. 

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Noor Inayat Khan was the first female radio operator sent into occupied France and transferred crucial messages. Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo. Law student Hannie Schaft became involved in the most dangerous resistance work--sabotage, weapons transference, and assassinations. In these pages, young readers will meet these and many other similarly courageous women and girls who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis. Twenty-six engaging and suspense-filled stories unfold from across Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, and the United States, providing an inspiring reminder of women and girls’ refusal to sit on the sidelines around the world and throughout history. An overview of World War II and summaries of each country’s entrance and involvement in the war provide a framework for better understanding each woman’s unique circumstances, and resources for further learning follow each profile. Women Heroes of World War II is an invaluable addition to any student’s or history buff’s bookshelf.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn J. Atwood is the author of “Women Heroes of World War II,” “Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics,” and the editor of “Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent.” She has contributed to War, Literature, and the Arts, PopMatters.com, Midwest Book Review, and Women’s Independent Press. To learn more about her and her other books, check out her website at http://kathrynatwood.com.


MY DESCRIPTION:
“Women Heroes of WWII,” is a collection of 26 stories, each containing a tale of an inspiring woman or girl who lived and breathed during WWII. From the four corners of the world, you learn about strong individuals who did what they could to make a difference in the dark world they were living in. Some rescued Jews, others wrote illegal pamphlets, some were spies, some lived to tell their stories and some died for what they believed in. From all walks of life, from various backgrounds, different religions, and separate social classes, these ladies left the mark on the world and are excellent role models for today’s youth. Though these ladies would never think of calling themselves heroes, read their stories and discover what true heroism is.

MY THOUGHTS:
I actually borrowed and read this book a few years ago as research for a WIP of mine and loved it. A couple weeks ago I saw that they were giving it away on Goodreads and signed up for a chance to win. Imagine my surprise when I received a message from the author herself asking if I would be interested in a free copy in exchange for a book review. Not only that, she also sent me her latest book “Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics,” to review as well. I give “Women Heroes of WWII” five stars, not only because of the stories of the ladies featured in this book, but because I love the writing itself. The style is easy to read, smooth but very detailed. I learned about different countries and cultures that I knew very little of, and how those places responded to the Nazis and the Holocaust.

I was thrilled to find many of my own personal heroines featured in there: Sophie Scholl, Irena Sendler and Sophia Podgorska. I was also introduced to many others that I was not too familiar with: Noor Inayat Khan (fun fact, there is a PBS documentary out about her called, “Enemy of the Reich: The Noor Inayat Khan Story”), Josephine Baker (had heard of her, of course, but had not realized all that she had done) and Martha Gellhorn (one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century).
I hope to lend this book to my sister that way she can write a review too. She was particularly excited to hear that Noor Inayat Khan was included, since that is a heroine of hers. But I’m selfish and plan to keep it for myself for future reference and enjoyment. Thank you, Kathryn Atwood for sending this to me.

Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor

Book Description: 

If you’re living with a mental illness, you’re in good company. Disease doesn’t discriminate; One in four people suffer from mental illness, and yet the stigma still remains. Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor contains stories of hope, despair, and hilarity by writers who are walking the mental health journey, as they discuss their experiences with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Anorexia, Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder and more.

While the lows of living with mental illness can be devastating, the disease doesn’t define the lives of these contributors, and it doesn’t have to define yours, either. Some of these essays will make your heart ache, some will make you cry with laughter, but in reading this Anthology you will see that living with mental illness doesn’t equal a life of endless misery. Join us as we ‘laugh stigma into submission’ by growing attitudes of acceptance and compassion.

To purchase this anthology, click here.

About the Authors: 

A former Jersey Girl, Alyson Herzig has moved to the Midwest but has kept her cynical sarcastic ways. She shares the many disasters and epic fails in her life on her personal blog, TheShitastrophy.com. She helps all her readers realize they could have it a lot worse, they could be her. From family debacles to observational wit she bares it all. Alyson has an essay in the anthology My Other Ex, Women's True Stories of Leaving and Losing Friendships, as well as in the anthology Not Your Mothers Book On Working for a Living. Alyson is also the co-creator of a soon-to-be released anthology titled Surviving Mental Illness with Humor.

Jessica Azar, writes while raising four stair-step kids, known affectionately as The Herd, with her husband and college sweetheart in her Alabama hometown. She blogs at Herd Management and humorously details the adventures and mishaps of being a homeschooling, work-at-home-mom. She also happens to like running and Single Malt Scotch a whole lot. Jessica co-edited a mental health anthology entitled Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor, and has had essays published in humor anthologies like Clash of the Couples. She is a Huffington Post Blogger, POPSUGAR Select Blogger, a NickMom Ambassador/Writer and does marketing work for various prominent brands. Her published work can be read on POPSUGAR, Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, NickMom.Com, Venn Magazine, BluntMoms and other online locations.

My Thoughts: 

Okay, naturally I am totally biased about this anthology because I have a short story included in it. Entitled, "The Attack," my little section gives my tongue-in-cheek take on anxiety attacks and how I cope when one strikes. 

"Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor," is for anyone who has suffered, endured and triumphed over their mental illnesses. Through this collection of stories, you will find that you are not alone and despite the darkest of times, there is always hope. 

Special thanks to Alyson Herzig and Jessica Azar for including my tale in their book. I wish them every success and hope that I can do my part to help them promote this dynamic book. 

FEMNISTA: MARCH / APRIL 2015

The latest issue of Femnista has been released, featuring stories and tales from ancient times. Yours truly has an article in there on the Maccabees, a Jewish group that rallied against the Seleucid's. Discover their connection to the eight day holiday Chanukah and how this ancient resistance group continues to inspire those today.