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In 1941, three brothers witnessed their parents and two other siblingsbeing led away to their eventual murders. It was a grim scene that would,of course, be repeated endlessly throughout the war. Instead of running orgiving in to despair, these brothers -- Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski -- foughtback, waging a guerrilla war of wits against the Nazis.
By using their intimate knowledge of the dense forests surrounding theBelarusan towns of Novogrudek and Lida, the Bielskis evaded the Nazis andestablished a hidden base camp, then set about convincing other Jews to jointheir ranks. As more and more Jews arrived each day, a robust communitybegan to emerge, a "Jerusalem in the woods."
After two and a half years in the woods, in July 1944, the Bielskis learnedthat the Germans, overrun by the Red Army, were retreating back towardBerlin. More than one thousand Bielski Jews emerged -- alive -- on that final,triumphant exit from the woods.
In 1941, after witnessing the execution of their parents and two siblings in Nazi-occupied Belarus, Tuvia, Asael and Zus Bielski fled into the forest. The brothers sent word that any Jews who made it to the woods would find a safe haven there, and ultimately assembled a community of more than 1200 people that featured its own temple, general store, and even a theater. For two and a half years at the height of World War II, they successfully evaded the Germans.
Dramatic, heart-felt and beautifully told, The Bielski Brothers is a fascinating look at a long forgotten chapter in the history of World War II partisans, and a magnificent testament to the strength and the courage of three individuals in the face of the Holocaust’s terrible and utter annihilation. Peter Duffy, a freelance journalist, has worked for the New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and many other publications, and has won ten national and regional writing awards. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. “The Bielski Brothers reads like an action novel ... fast-paced and deeply moving ... Inspiring in its representation of the heroism of ordinary people.” — Washington PostYou may also like
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