Jonathan Wittenberg Libri

A family's story of human tenacity, faith and a race for survival in the face of unspeakable horror and cruelty perpetrated by the Nazi regime against the Jewish people. Growing up in the safety of England, far away from his family's past, Jonathan Wittenberg had never asked too many questions about his ancestors, although his father had told him Hitler murdered millions of people and 'turned thousands of them into bars of soap, including several of your relatives.' On a burning June day in Jerusalem, Jonathan, now a rabbi, and his family, bury his aunt Steffi in the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. Afterwards, Jonathan discovers a plain linen bag, nestled for years in a suitcase on her balcony, which delves him into his family history. Through the war-time correspondence of his great-grandmother Regina, his great aunts and uncles Sophie, Trude and Alfred, Jonathan weaves together the strands of an ancient rabbinical family with the history of Europe during the Second World War. My Dear Ones takes us on a tumultuous journey throughout Europe and the United States and tells the moving story of a family whose lives hang by a silken thread but whose faith in God remains unshakeable throughout.

A dog's guide to life - how to be a kinder, compassionate, more mindful and wiser human.

Short, contemplative reflections to introduce the Torah to spiritual seekers of all faiths and none.

Set in 1950, the narrative follows Jonathan Wittenberg, a biochemistry and biophysics student who immerses himself in Navajo culture in New Mexico. Armed with a twin-lens reflex camera, he captures the lives of the Navajo people during a largely undocumented era. This work serves as both a historical document and an artistic exploration, showcasing Wittenberg's unique perspective as an untrained photographer while providing insight into a rich cultural heritage.

Exploring the search for God and values, the narrative intertwines personal experiences with traditional Jewish teachings, particularly the ancient disciplines of Thorah. The author reflects on the enduring principles taught by Simon the Just, emphasizing the significance of faithful love and service to God. Through his journey as a rabbi, he engages with profound questions and shares insights gained from listening to others during pivotal moments in their lives, creating a rich dialogue about faith and existence.

"A family's story of human tenacity, faith and a race for survival in the face of unspeakable horror and cruelty perpetrated by the Nazi regime against the Jewish people. Growing up in the safety of Britain, Jonathan Wittenberg was deeply aware of his legacy as the child of refugees from Nazi Germany. Yet, like so many others there is much he failed to ask while those who could have answered his questions were still alive. After burying their aunt Steffi in the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, Jonathan, now a rabbi, accompanies his cousin Michal as she begins to clear the flat in Jerusalem where the family have lived since fleeing Germany in the 1930s. Inside an old suitcase abandoned on the balcony they discover a linen bag containing a bundle of letters left untouched for decades. Jonathan's attention is immediately captivated as he tries to decipher the faded writing on the long-forgotten letters. They eventually draw him into a profound and challenging quest to uncover the painful details of his father's family's history. Through the wartime correspondence of his great-grandmother Regina and his grandmother, aunts and uncles, Jonathan weaves together the strands of an ancient rabbinical family with the history of Europe during the Second World War and the unfolding policies of the Nazis, telling the moving story of a family whose lives are as fragile as the paper on which they write, but whose faith in God remains steadfast."-- Publisher