A note from Dave
This story, my third novel, commemorates the incredible courage and industry of the nearly half-million Jews who lived (and died for the most part) in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. Documents that marked their lives – love letters, photos, calendars, notes, essays and poems – were held in milk cans and other containers collected by a group called the Oneg Shabat, or Joy of the Sabbath.
Held in these containers and the eye witness accounts of many, there emerges a true story – how a medical school was created under the noses of the Nazi regime, teaching as many as 500 students. An example of bravery and innovation, the school was conceived and led by Julius Zweibaum, a scientist, humanitarian and remarkable medical educator, its founding dean. It is, by all accounts, the first Jewish Medical School in history.
How did I learn about the school in the first place? Thirty years ago, in a Toronto family practice, I was explaining something to an elderly Polish woman. She stopped me cold: “Ach Doctor, you needn’t tell me. I was a medical student once. Years ago, in the war. In Warsaw. In the ghetto.” Her words inspired me to read stories and transcripts, to learn about the students and faculty and to travel to Warsaw to meet the granddaughter of Juliusz Zweibaum. This is their story, much less mine. I hope I have done it justice.
Imagine…
Studying for an anatomy quiz while worrying if you’ll have anything to eat, or if you or your parents might be shot at any minute. Imagine!
Coming soon
A novel based on the true life story of one man, Juliusz Zweibaum, his students, colleagues and citizens of Warsaw. How did the idea come to him? How did he fool the Nazis? Did he survive? Did his students survive?
Launching May 1st, 2025 on Amazon
