PRAISE | Here There Is No Why

Praise for "Here" and Rachel Roth

Dear Rachel,

I am one of the Ramaz students who attended this years Poland Experience trip. I was not with you for a very long time, and chances are I probably won't see you again, but I just wanted to let you know how I felt about you, about your experiences, and about the fact that you were able to join us on our trip. I apologize for writing this letter nearly a whole month after our trip to Poland- I planned on writing it right when I got home, because truthfully I could never say these so heartfelt thoughts in person, but then Pesach preparations took hold of my life and it wasn't until Yom Hashoah that I remembered that I had made this promise to myself to send you how I truly felt. Reading your book and traveling through Poland with you sparked many different emotions within me: sadness, shame, pride, and hope.

The more I read your book I realized how your pre-war life was extremely similar to my own life. I was then able to put myself in your place and imagine what it would have been like if it were me in your place. The unabated strength you displayed time after time gave me the strength I needed to get through the trip. You have inspired me in innumerable ways, many of which I can't even begin to articulate myself though they will definitely stick with me for the rest of my life.

Your experiences and your persistence have instilled in me a great pride of being a Jew, as well as a feeling of responsibility. Though I doubt I will ever understand how you were able to muster up the courage to revisit places that killed your brothers and sisters, places in which you once had to live an everyday nightmare, I am beyond grateful that you came on our trip. Words cannot fully describe how thankful I am that you came and how much you affected my trip to Poland. You are the living, breathing proof that there is reason to have hope in this crazy world. Watching you interact with and thank the Polish woman who spoke to us who saved Jews during the Holocaust was the greatest form of Hakarat Hatov I have ever seen in my lifetime.

You are an unbelievable person and I strive to one day even remotely be as good (though the word "good" does you little justice) as you. I thank you one last time for coming on our trip and for being one of the most inspirational people I have ever had the privilege to read about, let alone meet and travel with. I wish you all the best.

Dear Rachel,

Permit me to again thank you with all of my heart for your coming with us to Poland. It made an enormous difference in the experience for both the kids and the adults. As a teacher, I try to get kids to learn texts. Every once in a while one has the opportunity to meet a person who is a living text, who can teach kids more than books ever could. You are one of those rare people and my students and I are the richer for having met you. The contribution that you made to the nurturing and growth of their neshamot is huge.

We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude.

May HaKadosh Baruch Hu continue to shine down his light upon you with good health and strength of spirit.

Please accept my best wishes for a Chag Kasher v'Sameach, with fond regards to David.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Jay Goldmintz Ed.D.
Headmaster
Ramaz Upper School

Dear Rachel,

I just finished reading every word of your book. I was so touched by your narrative that I couldn't put it done. You described your day to day experiences so vividly that I felt as if I were there. I have the utmost love and respect for you and your aunt. You both inspire me and give me courage.

Dear Rachel,

I hope and pray this note finds you well.

I just completed your memoir and to be honest, and for the first time, I have to go back and start again at the beginning - there's just too much story-line and as a busy professional I have to read it in segments over time.

My name is Bill Lasko. I live in Pittsburgh and am 53 years old - my father fought the Nazis and Japanese in Burma, North Africa and Italy. But it is I who have a real interest in the history and incredible inhumanity that was the Jewish holocaust. There's no reason in particular that I know of - I'm not even Jewish.

I just can't believe the level of hatred and inhumanity that so many people were capable of - not just Germans. I have read more than 50 memoirs by now and all of the major history texts of WWII - I feel a real kinship somehow to those that were subjected to that intense hatred. And as you know - the very worst stories cannot be told.

I am very happy you survived and that Hela was able to keep you from taking your life. Look at al, the fruits that abound now because of your life. I really love the way you rub it in Hitler's face when you say that you & your descendants stood on that condemned ground after the war in spite of all that human hatred through at you. I think I read so much on this topic because I simply cannot believe it happened - and I'm trying in vain to understand what button was pushed and by whom to make so many so grizzly - to such innocents as yourself and your family. And to infant babies.

But the reason I wrote this note is that its an honor for me to actually be able to reach out via email and express my thanks to you and tell you that you wrote a memoir which will likely be one of the very few that live on into history. Thousands of years from now, people are going to marvel over stories like yours.

May God bless you Roma. I live in Pittsburgh with my wife Anya - we have a large and vibrant Jewish community in Pittsburgh, so if you're ever up this way I would be honored to buy you a coffee and actually meet one of the most amazing women of our time.

Sincerely Yours -

Bill Lasko

Dear Rachel,

I am a 73 year old Welshman who spent most of his life in the military (RAF 33 years).During that time I visited various places regarding the Holocaust. Since then I have been an avid reader of any book associated with those terrible atrocities.

Recently I went to the Lake District in England on holiday and took your book to read. I have been told off by my wife because I spent so much time reading your book and not joining the family on various excursions.!! However, my main reason for writing to you is to applaud you for this amazing book. I was totally spellbound by every page, sometimes dreading to turn over in case another death had occurred. The book is the best I have ever read - you are the most amazing lady (along with Hela!!) with an incredible talent for writing. Your strength, courage and fortitude under such dreadful daily fears are absolutely incredible. I just cannot find the words to express my admiration for you. God Bless you and may you enjoy a healthy and long life. If anybody deserves that you surely do.

My sincere regards,

Eddie Owen

RACHEL ROTH

Praise for "Here" and Rachel Roth