Have you heard the incredible story about Joseph and Rebecca Bau, who survived Auschwitz, were immortalized in Schindler's List film, moved to Israel and then made the most indelible contribution to the Jewish state and the Jewish people?
This is their story.
A THREAD ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
This is their story.
A THREAD ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
1. Joseph and Rebecca, both originally from Poland met in Plaszow death camp near Krakow, where they fell in love and were secretly married – an act for which if found out, would incur certain execution.
2. Joseph had actually dressed as a woman to sneak into the camp, in order to have a makeshift wedding. Their wedding was immortalized in the iconic film ‘Schindler’s List’.
3. Joseph survived the camps because of his incredible skills as an artist and draftsman. His access to pens and ink allowed him to forge documents and identity papers for people who managed to escape from Auschwitz. In this way he saved hundreds of people.
4. Years later, when asked why he hadn’t forged documents for himself, Bau replied: “Then who would have done it for the other Jews?”
5. Joseph’s life was saved by the legendary Oskar Schindler. However, only in 1997, when Joseph’s wife Rebecca was dying, did Joseph learn that she had actually substituted his name for hers on Schindler's list.
6. Rebecca herself was a woman of immense strength and incredible skill, speaking 9 languages fluently, which helped her survive, including managing to talk her way out of being sent to the gas chambers at least three times.
7. After being separated in the camps, the couple miraculously found each other after the war in Czechoslovakia and in the 1950s, immigrated to Tel Aviv, where Joseph created an art studio and became one of Israel’s first and most well-known artists, illustrators and animators.
8. Bau has been referred to as Israel’s ‘Walt Disney’. His works have been displayed all over the world, including at the United Nations.
9. It was however only after Joseph’s death in 2002, it was revealed that after the Holocaust, when he immigrated to Israel, we worked for many years for Mossad, as their chief graphic artist, forging documents for countless Israeli spies, including the legendary hero Eli Cohen.
10. Joseph also created the documentation that was used by the Mossad team that captured Adolph Eichamnn.
11. Since Joseph’s death in 2002, his daughters have turned his art studio in Tel Aviv into a Museum, to ensure his legacy as a hero of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, lives on through his artwork.
josephbau.com
josephbau.com
12. However, due to the COVID19 pandemic, the Museum is on verge of closure, due to declining visitors. This would be absolutely heartbreaking & devastating.
In order to raise funds to keep the Museum open, his family has started a Headstart campaign:
headstart.co.il/project/60369
In order to raise funds to keep the Museum open, his family has started a Headstart campaign:
headstart.co.il/project/60369
13. In so many ways, Joseph’s story, which is one of the most immense love, survival, heroism, resilience and hope, mirrors the very story of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
14. Whatever money you are able to donate, would be an incredible gesture to keep alive the amazing legacy of Joseph and Rebecca Bau, for future generations.
15. As for me, I bought this artwork of Joseph's which truly captured my heart ... a drawing of Israel and the incredible diversity & beauty of this country, which meant the world to him and to which he devoted his life to.
May Joseph & Rebecca's lives always remain blessed! END
May Joseph & Rebecca's lives always remain blessed! END
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