A Shortage of Grandparents - by Susan Meier Moss Katz

About the Book

This memoir brings to life the hidden stories of the Meier family, a Jewish family from Gengenbach, a picturesque village in Germany's Black Forest, whose lives were forever altered by the Holocaust.

Book Synopsis

Discover a poignant journey through history and memory in A Shortage of Grandparents: A Memoir of Loss and Discovery. This memoir brings to life the hidden stories of the Meier family, a Jewish family from Gengenbach, a picturesque village in Germany's Black Forest, whose lives were forever altered by the Holocaust.

For over 70 years, fragile letters and postcards written in delicate German handwriting remained unread, shrouded in mystery and fear. They held the untold stories of Sophie and Berthold Meier-grandparents who perished in the Holocaust-and Arthur Meier, a father whose brief life bore the scars of a world torn apart by hatred and persecution.

The author takes readers on an emotional journey, from her first steps out of a "Cave of Avoidance" to discovering her grandmother's grave at Camp de Gurs in France, to standing before Stolpersteine in Regensburg, Germany, and finally, to finding an "angel" in Dr. Martin Ruch, who helped translate the letters and unveil their secrets.

This powerful narrative, illustrated with photographs, letters, and documents, is more than a family history-it is a testament to resilience, remembrance, and the enduring impact of the Holocaust. Through vivid storytelling, the author transforms fear into understanding, honoring her grandparents and father by becoming the voice for those who were silenced.

A Shortage of Grandparents is an inspiring story of loss, discovery, and the importance of remembering the past so it may never be forgotten.

Perfect for readers of Holocaust memoirs, family histories, and those seeking to understand the lasting effects of history on personal lives.

Never forget-we must become the voice of those who have been silenced.