- Speaker #0
Welcome to the Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. The show covering all things health, wellness, culture, and more. The show for all of us who aren't old, we're better. Each week, we'll interview superstars, experts, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things, all related to this wonderful experience of getting better, not just older. Now, here's your host, the award-winning Paul Vogelzang.
- Speaker #1
Welcome. to the Not All Better Show on radio and podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by newspapers.com. I'm your host, Paul Vogelsang, and today's episode is one that will deeply move you, inspire you, and remind you of the enduring strength of families and the human spirit. Our guest today is Janet Singer-Applefield, a Holocaust survivor who has spent decades sharing her harrowing yet hopeful story with people all over the world. As a young girl in Nowy Targ, Poland, Janet, then known as Gustawa Singer, lived a blissful life surrounded by family and love. But that idyllic childhood was shattered in 1939 when Hitler's army invaded Poland, setting off a chain of events that would forever change her life. Separated from her parents at just seven years old, Janet Singer Appelfield faced unimaginable loss. and fear. Yet, in the midst of the darkest chapter in human history, she encountered the incredible bravery of strangers who risk everything to save her life. These experiences, once locked away in the recesses of her memory, have become the foundation of her powerful memoir, Becoming Janet, Finding Myself in the Holocaust, which we will be discussing today. At 88 years old today, Janet not only reflects on her past, but also uses her story to educate future generations. generations. Her tireless efforts have reached thousands of students, and she has even played a pivotal role in advocating for genocide education laws. Janet Singer Appelfield's message is clear. We must never forget, and we must always stand against hatred and bigotry in all its forms. Such a timely message. In this episode today, Janet Singer Appelfield will share with us her journey of survival, resilience, and rediscovery. Janet will take us through the traumatic years of the Holocaust, the poignant moments of reunion with her father, and the long path to healing that led to where she is today, a woman dedicated to spreading hope, courage, and the power of compassion. So join us as we listen to Janet's extraordinary story. It's a story of tragedy, yes, but also one of profound triumph, a reminder that even in the face of the greatest evil, the light of humanity can never fully be extinguished. Let's welcome Janet. singer, Applefield, to the Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast.
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Chapter 21. Nothing was left for us. February 1946. We had crossed into a new year. It was February 1946, and my father's friend, David Grascoon, was murdered in his own home, just blocks away. What had been only threats turned into reality. Tatoos went to the police chief and pleaded for protection. He gave my father a gun and said that was all he could do. Tatush showed me the gun, which he'd wrapped in his handkerchief. I suppose he thought it might comfort me, but it made me even more afraid. I bit my nails until they throbbed, and sometimes the corners would bleed. When we slept, Tatush tucked the gun under his pillow. I slept the wedge between Tatush and Mr. Trepper. I often watched Tatush as he slept. Sometimes his muscles would jump. and he'd let out a quick scream. I felt sad that his thoughts were haunting him. Whether we were asleep or awake, we lived in fear. Fear of our memories, of our dreams, and of our future. We were always on alert for noises, footsteps, or any sign that someone was coming for us. There was nothing left for us in Novotard. That is said, we would be safer in Krakow, blending among the 350,000 people. who populated the city. We packed our few belongings and once again left our home behind. We never stopped searching for family and still prayed every day that someone would find their way back to us after the war. Tadush had heard from a friend that together with Mamush's father, my Aunt Liba and Uncle Elek had returned from Siberia and now lived in a small apartment in Krakow. They had survived the war, but Babcha Regina, Mamusha's mother had died. The slave labor camp in Novosibirsk, Russia was too cruel. Dad, you told us the Siberian winters were unbearable with temperatures that plunged well below zero. and intense winds. Combined with forced labor, it had broken my grandmother Regina's old and tired body. We were happy that Jadju and Liba and Uncle Elec had survived, but we were devastated at the same time. My father clutched Jadju tightly, and together they rejoiced in their reunion and mourned their shared excruciating losses. Jadju caught his black yarmulke as it threatened to slip off his head. and then rubbed both watery eyes with palms of his hands. I didn't hear Tatush talk to him about Mamusha, but I could tell by his pained look that he knew his daughter wasn't coming back. He had to kiss me over and over. His dark, rough beard scratched my cheek, but I didn't mind. I knew he was crying joyful tears, but I also knew that seeing me was a reminder that Mamusha, his daughter, wasn't here to share in this moment. We didn't talk about it, but as the months passed, we knew what it meant. Everyone knew what it meant. The five of us just kept rotating hugs and kisses with one another, as though letting go wasn't an option. I miss Babcia Regina and Sarenka and Babcia Helena and Grandfather Emmanuel and all of my aunts and uncles, but I miss Mamusha most of all. Their collective absence left a gaping hole in our souls. But this was a happy reunion. Tatush and I moved into their small apartment, and while the quarters were very cramped, at least we were all together. It was morning, and Anliva brought out a package wrapped in brown paper. She treated it like a prize and carefully unfolded the edges. The dark bread was almost black and was very hard. Jaju handed Elek his pocket knife to cut through thick slices. A metal can of butter had been stored. on the windowsill to keep cool. Butter was difficult to get and a delicacy. They were so proud to have brought this special treat on the train from Siberia. Alec smeared the yellow treasure on the slices and doled them out with delight. Was I the only one who noticed that it smelled horrible? We had so little, and Uncle Alec was so proud to share this luxury. But even though the butter was rancid and tasted putrid, I knew I had to eat it. and pretend it was a wonderful treat. One day, Jadu and I went for a walk. We sat on the bench in the planty, the beautiful park that encircled the city. Tatush looked at me with solemn expression on his face. I knew it was serious when he spoke to me like a grown-up. Gija, we can't stay in Poland. It isn't safe. And now that we know that Mamusha is not coming back, there's nothing for us here. Tatush sang it out loud. was the saddest thing to hear. But I kept my gaze on his eyes and hung on his words. Your Uncle Jack and his wife Rose live in America, and your Uncle Attic and his wife Lula live in Palestine. So we have a choice to make. America, I announced without hesitation. I'd seen a postcard with a picture of the Statue of Liberty. It looked like a dream. I want to go to America, Tatush. Tatush seemed surprised that I'd answered so quickly. and that I seemed to know exactly where I wanted to go. Why? He asked. Because money grows on trees in America, Tatush. I made him smile.
- Speaker #1
Thank you, Janet. You've made me smile too. I think that's a beautiful reading and what a wonderful recollection. Your entire book is wonderful. Of course, our guest today is Janet Singer-Applefield and her new book is titled Becoming Janet, Finding Myself in the Holocaust. Our guest today, I'm excited. to talk to you and get into this subject because I think it is such an important one of family reunions. You talk about kind of a happy reunion there in the reading and you reference your time growing up in Poland and I'll probably mispronounce this, but is it pronounced Nowy Targ? Is that how you pronounce it?
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Nowy Targ, which means new market.
- Speaker #1
New market. Thank you. Your childhood, of course, existed before the Nazi invasion. Do you have any memories that are cherished? from that time that are good memories from those times?
- Speaker #2
I do. I was born in Krakow, but I lived with my mother and father and a baby sister in Novatarg. It was a very large extended family, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles. I was the first grandchild in the family, so I was pampered and spoiled. I had an uncle, my father's brother, who had a motorcycle with a little sidecar. He would put me in there, strap me in. and take me to the candy store and take me for rides. I remember cooking and baking with my mother and my grandmother, preparing for holidays. going to the synagogue, just very, very happy memories of this very special time until September 1st, 1939, when all hell broke out. I was just four years old at that time.
- Speaker #1
Well, your story is an interesting one because it parallels a little bit of my own family's, but in particular, my wife and I are expecting, well, our son and daughter-in-law are expecting our first grandchild in October. October. And we plan on, yes, thank you so much. We'll dote and pamper and spoil as well. And then we move on to after that date, September 1st, 1939, and you were four years old. And you describe in the book this very heartbreaking moment when you were separated from your parents. I just can only imagine the loss that you felt at such a young age. And then to reflect back on that, how has that shaped your perspective on family? in general. And then resilience. I think that's an important subject for our audience.
- Speaker #2
I remember that particular day, my parents sat me down and explained that I was going to be leaving with Maria, who was going to be my caretaker, and that we would be reunited soon. And she said to me, be strong, be brave, and do whatever you're told to do. That message to this day, just this... so deeply ingrained in my brain, you know, to be brave and to be strong. And it's something that I tried to do throughout the war years. And I think that has taught me to be resilient, because I knew what I had to do. I was hiding in plain sight. And I had to be sort of invisible. But at the same time, I always knew. And I always remembered my family and my history. And I think those early memories. were so important for me to have because they held me throughout those four years, just remembering those wonderful times with the family.
- Speaker #1
Thank you for that. Yeah, I think these family stories, they really are nuggets. They're just heirlooms for us to share. And I think that it is so impressive that your strength is what you mentioned, because it takes incredible courage to travel at a young age, such courage to survive, to be separated from your parents. And then you've begun to share these stories now at this age, a few years ago, of course, with young people in particular. And I think that's the part that really jumped out at me because these stories do need to be shared with these younger generations, as well as a wider public. But what's the message here, especially to these younger people who may not be so familiar with the Holocaust and may not be so familiar with what it took to survive such an amazing time?
- Speaker #2
Having lived through such difficult period in history, I was a witness to those times. And I feel a responsibility and an obligation to share this story with young people because so many people in our country, maybe all over the world, don't have that much information about the Holocaust. Actually, only 23 states have mandated the genocide and Holocaust education. I find it's very important. And I'm really happy because I really feel that I connect with young people.
- Speaker #1
Yeah, that's very apparent. You have a great way of presenting. Thank you again for reading from your book. And of course, these stories just come alive as you describe them. One of the stories that was so touching and sweet to me was during your journey throughout, after leaving Poland and elsewhere, you encountered many people who risked their lives to protect you, maybe share one of those stories, because it's an act of kindness that I think it happens during these moments in great tragedy where people emerge and they become very responsible for us and so helpful. And it's really influenced your view on life and humanity.
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Yes, I'm so very grateful for those people who risked their own lives and did something amazing, you know, protected and saved the life of a small child. And one particular example of that is the story of my mother. instance was when I was left in a church. I was told to wait for my cousin who was meeting her boyfriend. And she told me to just sit and wait for her, but she didn't return. I waited for hours in the church. She never came back. I finally walked out of the church and I overheard people talk. And I heard that the Gestapo had come and they arrested everybody in that cafe. So my cousin was gone. And here I was seven years old, walking up and down the street. crying, not knowing what to do. Suddenly a woman very quickly came up to me and swooped me up and put me under her cape. and asked you know what happened and and i told her that my cousin was in the cafe but now she was gone i said could you please take me to the bus i was going to go back to the village where i came from and she said oh no no no you're too little so she took me into the building the same building where the cafe was but upstairs to the apartment of a woman by the name of alicia go and alicia said i could stay there and eventually i ended up on a farm That was owned by and operated by the Catholic Church. And Licia's brother-in-law was the administrator of that farm. So that was one example of this generous, brave two people, the woman from the street and the woman who kept me. They saved me.
- Speaker #1
We're grateful for them, too.
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Hi. Paul mentioned that today's episode is sponsored by Newspapers.com. Obviously, I'm not Paul, but I'm Gretchen, and I've been on the show previously. I'm Paul's better half. We're family, married for 35 years. Today's interview with Janet Singer-Applefield is all about family. Our sponsor today, Newspapers.com, is all about family history, genealogy, and a great tool for your family search. This is all tied together. Newspapers.com is the largest online newspaper archive, now with more than 1 billion pages from the US, UK, Canada, Australia. and beyond. Are you captivated by stories of the past? Newspapers.com is like a time machine that provides unparalleled access to three centuries of history. Dive into their extensive archives to experience history as it happened and explore the news, events, and everyday moments that shape the world around us. Their easy-to-use search feature lets you filter your results by date, location, specific paper, and more. And when you find something interesting, newspapers.com makes it easy to save and share your discoveries. Come explore 1 billion pages and make infinite discoveries today on newspapers.com. Use promo code NOTOLDBETTER for a 20% discount on your subscription.
- Speaker #1
Our guest, of course, today is Janet Singer-Applefield, who's written the wonderful new book, Becoming Janet. I've had a chance to read it, Janet. Singer Appelfield is our guest today. It's so great to talk to you about this memoir, all of your life's work, as well as your wonderful reading to us and your courage even today. I wonder if you could look back to that seven-year-old girl and say something to her, speak directly to her. What would you say to be resilient and strong, especially during those dark times and offer some hope? Perhaps our audience today needs to hear that too.
- Speaker #2
I would try to comfort her and tell her that she is safe and things will improve, things will get better, that her family loves her and will always remember her. And to be hopeful, never lose hope and be grateful and humble with what you have.
- Speaker #1
Wonderful. Words to live by. Yeah, I like that. I feel the same way that it's important to be grateful to have. It's a bit trite, but to say, I like to say, to have an attitude of gratitude. But I think it's important to have that idea of just being grateful for what you do have. The other thing that struck me about your story, and in particular, one of the elements of your book was this, you call it a blank expression that you had to maintain for survival purposes. What do you mean by that blank expression? Maybe demonstrate that for us, but also tell us how it became a coping mechanism. And even how that led to some behavior in adulthood and helped you deal with this trauma at times.
- Speaker #2
I was hiding in plain sight. I always knew my true identity. My identity was changed several times, but I had to keep that a secret. So it was important for me not to divulge this secret. The family that saved me, they never knew from me that I was a Jewish child. believe that they suspected that, but they didn't know it from me. So I had to not express any emotions. So that was the coping mechanism. It served me well during the war. It wasn't so great as an adult because I had shut down all my emotions and it was not easy to start to feel things again. It was a process that took some time to get through and get in touch with who I am. Because I didn't even know who I was with all these different identities.
- Speaker #1
You were changing your name frequently, too. This was part of it.
- Speaker #2
Right. And, you know, even when I came to this country, I changed my name again. Because in those days, late 40s, ethnic and religious differences were not so readily accepted as they are today. So you had to sort of fit in, blend in, assimilate. And so I had to choose a new name.
- Speaker #1
Yeah. I wonder what advice can you offer to our audience about this idea of resiliency and hope and being able to overcome challenge? Because so many of us who were late in life, particularly during COVID and now post COVID, although COVID does seem to be raging again, we ended up in isolation. We ended up not being able to see our loved ones. These are challenges that... you certainly had to face in a very extreme way. But maybe tell our audience a little bit about how to persevere and overcome some of these trials as you do face adversity in life.
- Speaker #2
Life throws all kinds of challenges and adversities at all of us. And I think what's good about it, although difficult at the time, is that it's an opportunity to learn from it, to learn about ourselves, to learn about... how to cope with the situation. We have a choice when we face a challenge. We can either move forward or we can just stop in our tracks and be sad and depressed. You have to make that choice. And so I think it's so important to maintain positivity and try to move forward.
- Speaker #1
I think the same applies to young people too. Would you agree that some of these ideas that really we've talked about in our discussion to our conversation with you today, the real challenges of the moment, yet there were people that helped you along the way. Balancing that in life is part of what we have to do, especially as we're growing up.
- Speaker #2
Yes. And that's the message that I want to impart to young people, to be mindful of the kinds of decisions and choices that they make, because even the smallest acts of kindness have a ripple effect. I think if I can inspire young people to make good choices and to be generous, to be loving, to be giving, to be kind, that's what I hope my sharing my experiences will provide to young people.
- Speaker #1
I also found in the book an extreme sense of this notion of empathy towards others that while you were wronged, we all are wronged at various times and that We have to try and get past that. It might not be to extend an olive branch in all instances, but it might be just simply accepting your place and going forward and trying to not look behind us as well.
- Speaker #2
I am very grateful to my father, who was my role model and my hero. He never believed in general responsibility. He felt that there were good Germans, there were bad Germans, and he felt that people should be. judge only on the basis of their character, their actions. So lucky that I was able to get that message from him. And so I tried to follow that lesson.
- Speaker #1
I mentioned my own story and not to personalize this too much, but I'm 68. My grandmother and her sister were Dutch Jews and fled from Holland and two Mormon LDS church missionaries escorted each sister. So they... never saw their family again, but they escorted each sister to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they grew up and my grandmother became a nurse. But her position was very much like that, that she had to look forward. She assimilated, rarely spoke of these times at all. But I think she would find your story as wonderful as I have. I just can't recommend it enough to our audience. Again, our guest is Janet Singer-Applefield, who's written this wonderful new book, Becoming Janet. finding myself in the Holocaust. Just a fabulous, fabulous story. I guess my final question for you, Janet, we so appreciate your time today. You really are very much involved in Holocaust education. I saw some wonderful resources that you're providing online. You're even contributing to legislative changes that talk, you mentioned this about genocide education throughout the States and how few... offer that. What are you doing today in that regard? And how do you see some of the fruit of your labors coming about? Are you realizing some of these goals? Are you getting an awful lot of adoption? Is it a struggle? And how can my audience help?
- Speaker #2
I am very fortunate because I get very, very many opportunities to speak and to spread the message. I hope that more states will adopt these genocide education mandate, this bill. And I have done some speaking out of state also. So I just hope that this message will, my legacy will continue because my children, my grandchildren and other second generations, third generation, they're beginning to speak about the same subject. So. I think education is the key to combating hate and discrimination. That's my hope.
- Speaker #1
Such a wonderful book. Again, Becoming Janet is the name of the book. We will put links in our show notes today so that our audience can find out more about Janet, her wonderful new book. Congratulations on this work. We hope that you do get out there and speak about this. We certainly are going to share this widely with our audience. I noted that you have this beautiful mention of David Afflefield. You say, You were my joy, my shining light. I miss you every day. This memoir is for you. I assume, given the birthdates there, that that may have been a son. Is that correct?
- Speaker #2
That was my son. He died July 8, 2020. He was running for Congress, U.S. Congress. And the day after the primary, he died.
- Speaker #1
Sorry for your loss. My own mother is 94. I'm very close to her. And so I know the relationship between mothers and sons. And I thought for sure that had to be a son. But... Again, Janet, thank you for your time, for sharing so candidly, for being so open. Thanks for being so generous to read from your new book. Again, the title is Becoming. Janet is a wonderful, wonderful book from Janet.
- Speaker #2
Thank you so much for having me. It's been a pleasure to meet you, Paul.
- Speaker #1
Thank you, Janet. My heart goes out to you.
- Speaker #2
I'd like to add, if I may, I can be followed on social media at Janet Applefield, Facebook and Instagram. And also, my website is at JanetApplefield.com.
- Speaker #1
Perfect. That's so nice of you to mention that as well. We'll put links so that our audience can find where to follow Janet on all of the social media channels. But Janet, have a great rest of your day. And my best to you. Please come back and talk to us again about this subject.
- Speaker #2
Thank you so much.
- Speaker #1
Thanks, Janet. Thanks for joining us today on the Not All Better Show on radio and podcast. Our sponsor has been Newspapers.com. Please support our sponsors as they support our show. My thanks always. to executive producer Sam Hanegar for all his work on the show. My thanks to you, our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Please be well, be safe, and let's talk about better. The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. Thanks, everybody. We will see you next week.
- Speaker #0
Thanks for joining us this week on the Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. To find out more about all of today's stories or to view our extensive back catalog of previous shows. simply visit notold-better.com. Join us again next time as we deep dive into some of the most fascinating real life stories from across the world, all focused on this wonderful experience of getting better, not just older. Let's talk about better, the Not Old Better Show.
- Speaker #1
Hi, one final thing. Please check out our website for this episode and all episodes at notold-better.com or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and be sure to check out your local radio stations to find out more about the Not Old Better Show on podcast and radio. You can find us all over social media. Our Twitter feed is Not Old Better, and we're on Instagram at Not Old Better too. The Not Old Better Show is a production of NOBS Studios. I'm Paul Vogelsang, and I hope you'll join me again next time to talk about better. The Not Old Better Show. Thanks, everybody. We'll see you next week.
