Comments for Elizabeth Bettina

Comment on Book Signings by elizabethbettina

elizabethbettina — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:29:11 +0000

Yes, Where are you located?

Comment on Were “You” Saved in Italy? by elizabethbettina

elizabethbettina — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:28:30 +0000

Hi!

I would love to be in touch with you. I sent you an email about a week ago…but am not sure if you received it. Please email me again if you get this. Regards,
Elizabeth

Comment on NOVEMBER 18, 2009 – HALF HOLLOW HILLS COMMUNITY LIBRARY – 3PM by elizabethbettina

elizabethbettina — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:32:30 +0000

I am also looking forward to being there.

Ciao!

Comment on The Book by annmarie

annmarie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:47:53 +0000

I just finished reading the book. When will the documentary be on PBS?

I am a second-generation American, having had my grandparents come through Ellis Island from Valguarnera, Sicily. They lived in Rochester, NY–where all their kids and all of my cousins (including me) were born.

I am interested in knowing if there is any Sicilian connection to the rescue story. Have you ever looked into that? Were Jews hidden there?

Elizabeth, this could be your next book!
Annmarie Nina Cardenas

Comment on Were “You” Saved in Italy? by Imre Rochlitz

Imre Rochlitz — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:03:26 +0000

Dear Ms. Bettina,

The Italians saved my life and the lives of thousands of Jews,- not only in Italy but also outside of Italy, in areas occupied by the Italian Army.

This episode is a central theme of my memoirs, and outline of which can be seen here: http://www.josephrochlitz.com/joseph_rochlitz/Book.html.
I hope the book will be published next year.-

Also, my son Joseph made a film about this, entitled “The Righteous Enemy”. See: http://www.vimeo.com/2322714.

I would appreciate your comments.

Best regards,

Imre Rochlitz

Comment on Were “You” Saved in Italy? by Heinz Wartski

Heinz Wartski — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:50:24 +0000

I have posted the following in The Jewish Daily Forward:
As a German Jew and Holocaust survivor, my whole family escaped to Italy in October 1939. What Elizabeth Bettina writes, concerning the attitude of the Italian people and Government towards the Jews, is correct.
After September 8, 1943, everything changed because all parts of Italy not yet liberated by the Allies came under German occupation and Italy lost its sovereignty. From then on, the Italians had absolutely no voice in what happened to the Jews in Italy, and the Germans than used Mussolini as a pupped to get as many Italians as possible to fight for Germany. It was the Germans who rounded up Jews and transported them to Auschwitz.
Dr. Pollak, an Auschwitz survivor and former Italian concentration camp inmate, wrote the following memorial placard:
“In the hours of darkness at Auschwitz, like a mirage we had visions of the bright and lush garden of Urbisaglia in Italy, the land of sun and good people”
The ‘bright and lush garden of Urbisaglia’ is the Villa Bandini estate that was used as a concentration camp for Jews.
I have written on the attitude of the Italian people and its government towards Jews in my story of surviving the Holocaust in Italy. This book also contains my wife’s story of surviving Auschwitz. We have been publishing and donating all copies of this book to the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida in Naples were it is available to raise funds for its mission.
Heinz Wartski

Comment on Next Post by dorothy borenstein

dorothy borenstein — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:43:36 +0000

my daughter recently sent me your book to read and I was fascinated with it. my husband is a Holocaust survivor who didn’t have the good fortune to end up in a camp in Italy. he is the sole survivor of his entire family. I am writing to you to ask you about a name of a person who was in Campagna. the name was Borensztajn, also from Poland. my husband’s name was spelled like that but is spelled Borenstein now. you do not mention what happened to the rest of the people on that list. if you have any information about that person, please send it on to me. this is the first time I can honestly say that a book aboout concentration camps made me feel happy. thanks for writing it.

Comment on Lectures and Events by Laura Eager

Laura Eager — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:25:56 +0000

Elizabeth,
I just read the pre-view of your book and am headed out tomorrow to get a copy. It brought me right back to high school days. I can still see Michelle’s father’s tattoo from the camps. It choked me up. Laura Eager

Comment on Lectures and Events by Linda Prospero

Linda Prospero — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:42:51 +0000

Elizabeth – I just finished reading your book “It Happened In Italy,” and was moved to tears by some of the stories, especially the last one of the “milk brothers.” I have known about the plight of Jews in Italy during the war and have even visited and talked to people in Aliano, where Carlo Levi was held as recounted in his book “Christ Stopped At Eboli.” Brava to you for tackling this important story about the Jews and how Italians saved them from extermination or deportation, and brava to you (and Vince) for bringing joy to all those Jewish families who returned to Italy and experienced reunions with the Italians in those towns thanks to your determination and hard work.
Linda Prospero

Comment on The story behind the book by Kari Alterman

Kari Alterman — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:07:13 +0000

Elizabeth,

Your book is amazing. As a child of a Holocaust survivor, and one who has always been interested in the unique and fascinating individual stories, I was stunned by the depth and breadth of the stories you uncovered. I have always been a student of history and of Judaic studies (and have degrees in both from the University of Michigan), and I was only marginally aware of this story. You brought it to life!

Its a great story on so many levels–on the understanding of Jewish-Catholic relations, on humanitarianism, on moving forward, and of course, on being appreciative and thankful.

I am fortunate to work on many inter-group and inter-faith programs, and I have already recommended your book to so many. Its obvious that this was truly just a labor of love, and your dedication to this incredible group of survivors, to the nation and people of Italy, and to the Catholic church is inspiring.

I hope we’ll have the chance to work together.

Wishing you only the best as you continue the journey,

Kari Alterman
Detroit, Michigan