My grandfather was sent to Auschwitz when he was just 10 years old. During his time there, he had two face to face encounters with the notorious Dr. Mengele. These are those two encounters:
My grandfather, his older sister, and his parents were waiting in line at the gates of Auschwitz for the selection process. Those sent to the left, were sent directly to the gas chamber. Those sent to the right, were sent to work.
While standing in line, a Sonderkommando came up to his mother and told her to get rid of her young child because Dr Mengele would send young children and their mothers to the gas chambers immediately. If she got rid of him, she would have a chance to survive.
When his mother refused to give away my grandfather, the Sonderkommando told her a story: Earlier today a mother with a young child were standing where you are, and a Nazi asked the mother to hand over the child. She refused. He asked one more time. She refused.
The Nazi grabbed the child, & removed the child clothings. He then took rope and tied one end to a truck and the other end to the child’s foot. He then took another rope and tied it to another truck and the other leg. He then ordered the truck to drive in opposite directions..
The child was split in half right in front of his mother. As she screamed, the mother was shot on the spot.
The Sonderkommando urged my great-grandmother to give away her young child so the same wouldn’t happen to them.
She refused.
“I will NEVER give away my child.”
The Sonderkommando urged my great-grandmother to give away her young child so the same wouldn’t happen to them.
She refused.
“I will NEVER give away my child.”
My great-grandfather was a tall & broad man, so he told my grandfather to hide behind him, and maybe Dr Mengele wouldn’t see him.
Their time finally came for the selection. Dr Mengele right away saw my grandfather and asked him to come forward.
He asked him how old he was.
My grandfather said he was 17, hoping Dr Mengele would send him to work.
He was 10.
He asked him how old he was.
My grandfather said he was 17, hoping Dr Mengele would send him to work.
He was 10.
Dr Mengele started laughing.
“I know you aren’t 17, you can’t be older then 10 or 11, but go with your father (to work).”
“I know you aren’t 17, you can’t be older then 10 or 11, but go with your father (to work).”
A few months later, my grandfather got scarlet fever and was transferred to the “medical facility” in Auschwitz.
A faciltiy where medical experiments were performed mostly on children.
A faciltiy where medical experiments were performed mostly on children.
He had been there for a couple of days when in walked Dr Mengele.
Dr Mengele walked over to the Nazi in charge of this barrack, pointed at my grandfather and said: “ I am going to do an experiment on him.”
Dr Mengele walked over to the Nazi in charge of this barrack, pointed at my grandfather and said: “ I am going to do an experiment on him.”
“I am going to try and find a specific nerve in his neck and give him an injection.. If I find the nerve, this boy will be paralyzed for life, and if I can’t find it he will be dead in a matter of moments.”
My grandfather heard this exchange, and as sick and weak as he was, he jumped off his top bunk and started screaming as he ran towards Dr Mengele:
“Experiments are for monkeys, not for children!”
“Experiments are for monkeys, not for children!”
Dr Mengele reached for the pistol on his waist, and my grandfather thought that this was how his life was going to end.
Dr Mengele held his pistol for moment while staring directly at my grandfather...
Then walked out of the room.
My grandfather never saw Dr Mengele again.
Dr Mengele held his pistol for moment while staring directly at my grandfather...
Then walked out of the room.
My grandfather never saw Dr Mengele again.
Two years ago, my grandfather once again walked through the gates of Auschwitz accompanied by a soldier.
His grandson. A soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces.
My inspiration. My hero. My grandfather.
Rabbi Nissen Mangel
His grandson. A soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces.
My inspiration. My hero. My grandfather.
Rabbi Nissen Mangel
For those asking:
My grandfather is still alive and well! He rose up from hell and created an empire.
6 children.
40 grandchildren
19 great-grandchildren (and counting).
He has traveled the world sharing his story and message of faith and perseverance.
Now it is my turn.
My grandfather is still alive and well! He rose up from hell and created an empire.
6 children.
40 grandchildren
19 great-grandchildren (and counting).
He has traveled the world sharing his story and message of faith and perseverance.
Now it is my turn.
For those that are interested, here is a poem I wrote to my grandfather just hours after visiting Auschwitz with him.
facebook.com/36759996674375…
facebook.com/36759996674375…
For more on my grandfather, his journey, and mine - you can follow me here on Twitter or
Instagram: instagram.com/leibel_mangel
Facebook: facebook.com/leibelmangel
Your kind words are tremendously uplifting, and I can't wait to show my grandfather. I know he will be thrilled.
Instagram: instagram.com/leibel_mangel
Facebook: facebook.com/leibelmangel
Your kind words are tremendously uplifting, and I can't wait to show my grandfather. I know he will be thrilled.
I will be seeing my grandfather this Thursday at the engagement party of another one of his grandchildren. I will be showing him ALL of your comments and well wishes. Please do continue to send them!
Any further media related requests should be sent to: LeibelAMangel@gmail.com
Any further media related requests should be sent to: LeibelAMangel@gmail.com
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