A Story of Triumph Over the Holocaust
The story of Cantor Leo Fettman
as told to
Paul M. Howey
From the author...
Many have questioned the need for yet another Holocaust book. When asked about this, I can only respond, "Kosovo. And Littleton, Colorado."
Genocide continues to plague our planet. Certain groups of human beings are always focused, it seems, on eliminating eliminate other groups of human beings based solely on their ethnicity. Here at home in America, our hearts have been saddened by such senseless killings as those in Colorado—murders reportedly committed in 'celebration' of Hitler's birthday by deranged youths grotesquely fascinated by Nazism.
The hatred that it takes to pursue "ethnic cleansing" is always simmering just below the surface where it is too easy to ignore. When it erupts, we must not turn away as we did in 1993 in Rwanda at the cost of one million souls. The truth is that we must never forget, even in the good times. We must instead become more aware of the signs of trouble here at home.
The theme running through Cantor Fettman’s life is one of tolerance, acceptance, hope, and love, all while remaining vigilant and remembering the past in order to avoid in the future such evils as the Holocaust. Can we accomplish that? Can we afford not to? Hopefully, this book and others like it can perhaps provide at least part of the answer. This was the most remarkable writing experience of my life (remind me to tell you about it, should we ever meet in person).
Paul M. Howey
About the book...
In 1944, Cantor Leo Fettman and his family were forcibly removed from their Hungarian home by the Nazis and incarcerated in a ghetto. Later, they were transported by boxcar to Auschwitz. SHOAH tells that painful story. But it also includes an historical prologue which chronicles the 2000 years of anti-Semitism which led inexorably to Hitler's "Final Solution" and the creation of death camps whose names still reek of the horrors that occurred in them— Chelmno, Belzec, Sobibór, Treblinka, Majdanek, and Auschwitz where Cantor Fettman lost nearly every member of his immediate family.
The book reveals that the Holocaust did not happen suddenly, nor was it the work of a lone madman. Rather, it was the inescapable culmination of centuries of hatred and bigotry involving the Catholic church, Martin Luther, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, and far too many others.
Cantor Fettman tells how he was forced to work in the crematorium, was experimented on by the infamous Dr. Mengele (the infamous "Angel of Death"), was shunted from one forced labor camp to another, and how he survived a bungled attempt by the Nazi SS to hang him.
"...I began to get tears in my eyes as I heard another voice join in the singing, and then another. Soon there were many voices and I added mine to this most unlikely of choirs in this most unlikely of places."
(from Shoah, Chapter Five, "Rails to Slaughter")
Through it all, Cantor Fettman's faith was tested yet grew stronger as a direct result of the ordeals.
SHOAH also examines the motives behind those are attempting to revise or even deny the fact that the Holocaust ever occurred. Also included is a look into the hate-based groups that continue to proliferate and flourish today. For example:
"We believe the Cananite Jew is the natural enemy of our Aryan (White) Race. This is attested by scripture and all secular history. The Jew is like a destroying virus that attacks our racial body to destroy Aryan culture..."
(The Aryan Nation)
"I pledge allegiance to Adolph Hitler, the immortal Leader of our race, and to the New Order for which he stands, One Great Cause, Sacred and Invincible, the hope and future of all Aryan man—Heil Hitler!"
(The Pledge of the National Social White Peoples Party)
This is but one man's story, yet it speaks for the millions who perished in the Holocaust. More importantly, it delivers a message of hope and inspiration for today's generation of adults and their children.
"We must teach others what can happen when we care only about ourselves. It says in the Hebrew Bible, V'ahavta l'reecha kamokha—Love thy neighbor as thyself. I searched to see if it said Love thy Jewish neighbor or Love they Black neighbor or Love thy Christian neighbor or Love thy Muslim neighbor. It does not say that. It says quite simply, Love thy neighbor. You are my neighbor. And I am yours."
(from Shoah, Chapter Seventeen, "Will You Make the Music?")
Reviews...I would gladly recommend to anyone to read this book as it goes beyond the Holocaust and into humanity."
"I have read many books on the Holocaust, including survivors' own testimonies, yet this is the first book that enlightened my awareness as to how long anti-Semitism has been in existence.
Rebecca Herren, Editor
The Jewish Reporter
"... I am proud that Cantor Fettman was one of the 60 interviews that I conducted for Steven Spielberg's 'Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation.' He is a man who leaves an impact. He is a man who has made a difference. This book is well written and with just enough reference to the Holocaust to be a Holocaust book and, at the same time, this book becomes a primer on how to live your life... This book should be required reading for everyone at any age and with any religion. I would tell anyone searching for a book on the Holocaust to begin right here."
Ben Nachman, DDS
"... a riveting tale, one that will shock and amaze you... When all is said and done, after all his dark ordeals in the death camps, what emerges in the Cantor's courageous message of hope and tolerance. SHOAH: Journey from the Ashes reminds us of the urgent need for humanity to overcome our cultural and racial prejudices if we are to learn the lesson of this terrible episode in human history."Dr. Steven P. Schneider
Graduate Program Director, Department of English
University of Nebraska at Kearney
SHOAH
Journey from the Ashes
A Personal Story of Triumph Over the HolocaustThe story of Cantor Leo Fettman
as told to
Paul M. HoweyE-mail Paul M. Howey
©1999
Published by and available through:
Six Points Press
P.O. Box 31421 / Omaha, NE 68131-04210 / 405-556-7107Produced by Five Star Publications, Inc. / Chandler AZ
Also available through:
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.borders.com
Messages from visitors...
I've read thru your book Shoah and can't say I enjoyed it, as it wasn't enjoyable reading, but you wrote up Cantor Fettman's story very effectively and it really hit home. I've known the man for decades, and never knew any details about his background. He's really a positive person! And you must be pretty positive too, to be able to throw yourself into that kind of writing and hold yourself together!
SM / Jerusalem, Israel
Author, The Gentle Weapon
I look forward to receiving a copy of Shoah! I visited a concentration camp near Berlin when I was working there, and remember how devastated I felt as I walked around. How ANY human being (or even animal come to that) could be made to go through the things that they did, and how any "human being" could make another suffer so, I will never understand. The really frightening this, as you say, is that it is still going on.... When is the book coming to the UK? I'll tell my friends about it. Good luck with the book. I'm certain it will be a great success!
PT / London, England
Congratulations on the completion of the book and the web page. I look forward to receiving the book I ordered from amazon.com and having the Arizona writer sign it! Again, mazel tov and much success!
DR / Phoenix, Arizona
I like the site. Good job. Thanks for the link!
CH / Ahwatukee, Arizona
Your new website for Shoah is most compelling! The music, the opening illustrations, the black background, and the reversed type . . . WOW!! How and when can I get a copy of the book? Are they even available yet?!! Congrats on the excellent reviews, too.
NC / Minneapolis, Minnesota
Regarding this book, my husband thinks it's too depressing. I'm indifferent, and feel whatever! I'm sure your research is quite educational and enlightening on whatever topic you write about.
JH / Scottsdale, Arizona
I liked your site very much, especially the music. Nice reviews. Are there going to be any promotional tours? We just had Monica here in Miami. I think this would draw a more highbrow crowd. Glad to hear the book is out.
KT / Miami, Florida
I am running out today to try and find the book. There is a Barnes & Noble one block from my office so I hope they carry it. I'm looking forward to being educated by it.
DP / Stamford, Connecticut
Nicely done.
SW / Houston, Texas
Bless your soul for writing this. I remember you talking about it and how painful it was...painful yet inspiring. I know it will mean so much to so many people.
SS / Greenville, South Carolina
How poignant...and sad that I've been listening to all about Littleton today and now I've found this site and its story. I will get the book and tell others of it, too. We must address this hatred and never forget what "mankind" can do and has done to itself. And to tell the story of Cantor Fettman is to tell of love, faith, and another way. We can't lose that way. Bless you for reminding us.
SG / Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Thank you so much for letting me know about your book. I plan to purchase the book, and I'm also sending the message on to my friends. Thanks, again!
PP / Missoula, Montana
Your new book looks fascinating and very moving. I will surely read it.
BS / Wantagh, New York
Thanks for forwarding the Shoah info on to us. We're excited... It is a story that should be told and not forgotten.
LT / Minneapolis, Minnesota
I loved your site! Simply incredible! Just ordered a copy of Shoah from Amazon.com.
CS / Chandler, Arizona
Your site is very powerful. What a book! I've almost finished reading it. It forced me to remember what I had previously learned about that sad time and made me aware of many additional compelling facts as well. Cantor Fettman is someone I'd very much like to meet.
JH / Delaware, Ohio
I loved your site! Simply incredible! Just ordered a copy of Shoah from Amazon.com.
CS / Chandler, Arizona
Hi, Uncle Paul! Congrats on a great website and on completing the book. l Iook forward to reading it!
MH / Victor, New York
I was just thinking about you and was going to write. Another school, this time in Canada, had a copycat tragedy of Colorado. Can't believe it. I was telling a neighbor that if there is anything to take from these events, it is the slap in the face that racial and social tensions are still felt by many. That's why your work is important. It gets the word out that these events are wrong and tragic.
MC / Seattle, Washington
I like the site!! Also noticed that you have almost 800 hits so far; not bad. Good to see that it is getting a lot of exposure. I ordered the book via Amazon. Any chance of a hard cover version?
KL / Tempe, Arizona
Congrats on your book and on your great website. I love it! May you enjoy much success from both your book and your website, and I pray both will benefit many, many people!
SM / Jerusalem, Israel
I received Shoah from Barnes and Noble yesterday. I read your "Historical Prologue" this morning. It's so hard for me to accept that awful history of cruelty, stupidity, and inhumanity. How can people think as they did / do? This will be one of those books that I will have to read slowly and put down often. It hurts so much. I'm in one of those stages of life when I don't think too highly of people in general anyway. And this stage goes against my inner aspirations to "love" everyone and be "positive" in my thinking. I'm just not that evolved yet... Some things are simply unforgivable. And we must not forget. My best to you.
SG / Fort Walton Beach, Florida
I finished the book and loved it! The background intro was a great start, as well as the counterpoints made to address the naysayers regarding the Holocaust that was at the end. I also liked his responses to some points made, e.g., the atheists issues and the person that asked him if he was a kike, with his response that he worshiped a kike. Makes a much better point than trying to talk about it and why you shouldn't use a derogatory comment about someone. Definitely up my alley considering where I am going!
SC / Denver, Colorado
The background music is "The Theme from Schindler's List," composed by John Williams.
The photographs are from various university archives.
