From the Author
Since my early childhood I have listened to my father’s stories. I looked at him wide-eyed and hung on his every word. He showed me the places where the events he described had taken place, and I immediately pictured each scene. My father’s words will remain in my memory forever:
— Look how beautiful nature is here my dear. God created this beauty, but why did He create such vicious people and settle them in this area?
As a child I was unable to fully comprehend what my father was talking about, but when I grew up I began to understand. Nobody in our town wanted to remember the past. Nobody wanted to recall the recent history, pretending it didn’t exist.
My father’s stories sank deep into my mind. I dreamed of telling the whole world what I learned from my father. But most importantly, I wanted my children and my grandchildren to remember their roots and their history, to remember where they came from.
My father, Alexander Grigoryevich Leventhal, and I dedicate this book to the memory of the living and the dead who experienced unimaginable inhuman ordeals during World War II and the postwar years. We would like this book to become a memorial to all those who perished at the hand of executioners and a tribute to remind the younger generation about their ancestors’ lives and deaths. And to all, a reminder of the courage and endurance the human spirit is capable of in the darkest moments in life.
I’d like to express my enormous gratitude to all the people who helped me with this book, but most of all to my father, Alexander Grigoryevich Leventhal. Whenever I had an unbearably tough situation in my life, I would remember my father; I would remember what he had gone through. I thought if he had been able to endure such ordeals, I would be able to handle my problems, too. My father’s example has always helped me in my life.
I’d also like to thank my family for their support: my daughters Svetlana, Olga and Yelena, and my husband Vladimir. Thank you, my darlings!
Ludmila Leventhal
About the Book
Many people wanted to tell this story, but they were not able to do it for various reasons. Ludmila achieved the mission she was entrusted with. She has written this book not just for herself and our family, but for all those who wanted to speak but were
unable to do so. These things should not be forgotten. Memory has enormous power.
Alexander Leventhal
* * *
I've just completed reading your book, "Star of David," which was given to me to review... I am so, so moved by what I read. I was hardly able to put the book down and chose to keep reading it rather than to sleep... My heart is so overflowing with admiration and respect for your dear father Alexander... my heart is so convicted for being so ignorant of the true nature of all that my people suffered in World War II and after that at the hands of the Soviet Union... So many American Jewish people of my age and generation (and others) need to be made aware of the reality of the horrendous and incomprehensible plight that actually took place.
When I asked to read it... I had no idea that I would be reading a masterpiece, neither did I know to what extent I would be blessed by it. What a great job you did and what a magnificent hero you dear, precious father is. I sincerely hope he is well as I want express my gratitude to him personally.
Bernice Pattow
* * *
A philosopher Emil Fakenheim called it the 614th commandment—in addition to Torah's 613 commandments—a command not to let Hitler win post mortem. Books like Ludmila Leventhal's honest and ingenuous reminiscences help people fulfill this new commandment. Books like this restore the historical memory of generations and help find the lost connection of connection of times.
Yevgeniy Berkovich
Managing Editor, Notes on Jewish History
* * *
I finished reading your book this morning. I could
hardly put it down since I saw you last week. I enjoyed
reading it very much, and learning about your family
and your father's struggles. He must be very proud of
all of the time and effort that you put into writing his story.
Good luck with the future books—I look forward to reading them
too.
Adam Kuten
* * *
…“Star of David” is a dedication to all those who want to know about the horrible events which occurred only a few decades ago in the territory of Europe and the former Soviet Union; it is dedicated to all those who see their own story in the chronicle of the Leventhals…
Vladimir Albrekht,
famous former human rights advocate
* * *
…I read your book from cover to cover.
It was an unbelievable tale of tragedy, torment, trials, and tribulations of your father.
He helped to defeat German fascism and he opposed communism living long enough to witness its defeat.Remarkable!
Sid Krimsky
