Stories of survival and resilience have always captivated the readers of literature. “Tatae’s Promise,” a remarkable book co-authored by Moises J. Goldman, PhD, and award-winning author Sherry Maysonave, is an extraordinary narrative that transcends generations, languages, and boundaries. This deeply moving and impactful account tells the story of Hinda Mondlak Goldman, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the promise she made to her father that her son, Moises, would one day share her harrowing story with the world.
This featured article takes us through the emotional journey of Moises and Sherry as they transform Hinda’s recorded tapes into the powerful book we have today. We also explore the profound impact “Tatae’s Promise” aims to have on readers, and the urgent message it carries about the importance of remembering and preventing the horrors of history from repeating.
Unveiling the Authors’ Insights: Q&A with Moises Goldman and Sherry Maysonave
Texas Today: Moises, when you first began listening to your mother’s recorded tapes in 2018, was it emotionally harder or easier than you expected to hear her voice sharing her life story?
Moses: It was emotionally harder than I expected when I started listening to the tapes in 2018. I had tried before while living in Chicago but couldn’t continue. Hearing my mother’s voice made me cry, and I felt like I was reliving her slow decline. However, towards the end, it became a promise to my mother, which gave me strength to finish listening to the tapes.
Listening to the firsthand accounts of his mother’s experiences at Auschwitz and during World War II was an emotionally taxing journey for Moises Goldman. It brought to life the painful memories and horrors that she had endured, making it difficult for him to continue. Yet, the promise he had made to his mother fueled his determination to press on.
Texas Today: Sherry, can you describe the experience of transforming these tapes into the book we have today, both from an emotional perspective and from the perspective of weaving together such a profound story?
Sherry: Transforming the tapes into the book was emotionally intense. Since I didn’t speak the languages in the tapes, Moises provided English translations. I immersed myself in the characters’ experiences, feeling their pain, loss, and courage. Writing the story made me feel their physical and emotional struggles but filled me with awe and inspiration. It was a roller coaster of emotions, and I aimed to make readers experience it, too. The research was crucial due to the extensive time frame and characters.
For Sherry Maysonave, co-authoring “Tatae’s Promise” was an emotionally charged experience. As she delved into the tapes and translated the accounts into English, she could feel the depth of the pain and resilience of the characters. Weaving together such a profound story required extensive research and a deep emotional connection to the material.
Texas Today:Sherry, what do you hope readers will take away from this story, and what do you want them to remember long after reading?
Sherry: My hope is that readers fully grasp the gravity of “Tatae’s Promise,” a true story of a Jewish family during World War II. I want readers to be profoundly affected, with heightened Holocaust awareness, and to take action to prevent future injustices and persecution of innocent people.
The core message of “Tatae’s Promise” goes beyond being a mere historical account. Sherry Maysonave hopes that readers will be deeply moved and gain a heightened awareness of the Holocaust, inspiring them to take action against injustice and the persecution of innocent individuals.
Texas Today:Is there anything else you want to share with our readers?
Sherry: It’s crucial to recognize that anti-Semitic attitudes are on the rise, and recent world events echo history’s mistakes. Moises and I are deeply concerned about history repeating itself. We pray for global awareness of past injustices and the dangers of hate, anti-Semitism, racism, genocide, and apathy. Our hope is for everyone to cherish freedom and work together to prevent mass injustices from ever happening again to any group of people.
The final message from the authors of “Tatae’s Promise” is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of hatred and persecution in the world. They emphasize the importance of global awareness and the collective effort needed to ensure that history does not repeat its darkest chapters.
Conclusion: A Promise Fulfilled
In the face of unspeakable horrors, Hinda Mondlak Goldman found the strength to survive Auschwitz and escape its clutches. Her father’s dying promise, “You will live; you will tell,” echoed in her heart until her last breath. Moises, her son, took up her mantle, fulfilling both his mother’s and grandfather’s wishes. It took him 35 years to translate the tapes into the profound book we now know as “Tatae’s Promise.”
This book serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of bearing witness to history, and the enduring power of a promise. “Tatae’s Promise” is not just a book; it’s a testament to the indomitable human will to survive and to remember. It’s a call to action, urging us all to ensure that such atrocities never happen again.
As President Ronald Reagan once said, “The survivors carry a memory beyond anything that we can comprehend.” “Tatae’s Promise” invites us into the world of one of those brave survivors, Hinda Mondlak Goldman, and her incredible journey. It is a must-read for history enthusiasts, for those seeking inspiration, and for all who believe in the importance of keeping promises and bearing witness to the past.
Author’s Note: The book “Tatae’s Promise” is available for review, and the authors, Moises Goldman and Sherry Maysonave, are available for media interviews to further discuss this powerful and impactful story of survival and remembrance.
