The Holocaust is a difficult topic for most youngsters who are learning about it for the first time, but for Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger, the Christian son of a World War II Nazi tank commander, it hit a lot closer to home.
“My father went from the level of hero to common criminal,” said Wollschlaeger. “I lost all respect for him. How could people like my father be so callous, inhumane and unethical?”
Today, Wollschlaeger lives with his family in South Florida — as a practicing Jew.
On July 29 at 7:15 p.m., Wollschlaeger will share his story at an event hosted by Chabad of Western Monmouth County, 26 Wickatunk Road, Manalapan. The event is open to the public.
The cost to attend is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. To RSVP, call 732-972- 3687 or go to www.chabadwmc.org/rsvp.
Wollschlaeger, who was born in 1958 in Bamberg, Germany, grew up knowing nothing about the Holocaust and had never met a Jew, according to a press release from Chabad. For him, World War II was a proud moment in his country’s history.
“My father described it as the best time of his life,” said Wollschlaeger. “He was awarded the Iron Cross, which is like a Purple Heart, by a man he very much adored at the time, Adolph Hitler. Of course, I was very proud of my father. He was a hero.” Then in the summer of 1972 came the Munich Olympics and the murder of 11 Israeli athletes by Arab terrorists.
With newspapers blaring “Jews Killed Again in Germany,” this was the first clue for Wollschlaeger, then 14 years old, that what he had been told about World War II might not be the whole story. Thus begun his quest for the truth and his spiritual journey toward Judaism.
Spurred by his findings, Wollschlaeger eventually traveled to Israel, where he experienced Jewish culture and tradition firsthand, according to the press release.
“There is no question that my initial steps toward Judaism were motivated by guilt and shame,” Wollschlaeger explained. “As a young German, how could my people do that?”
Seven years after starting his spiritual search, Wollschlaeger converted to Judaism and immigrated to Israel, even serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Recently, Wollschlaeger wrote a memoir titled “A German Life,” encapsulating the story of his reconciliation with his family’s wartime past.
For Rabbi Levi Wolosow, adult education director at Chabad of Monmouth County, the tale is “an inspiring story of how to overcome hate. We are very much looking forward to hearing Dr. Wollschlaeger’s story firsthand.”