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Media Essay

Norman Salsitz: Family Photographs

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life after the Holocaust

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again.

Norman's journey brought him to the United States.

2004 portrait of Norman Salsitz. [LCID: athns328] — Born Naftali Saleschutz, Norman was the youngest of nine children in a devout Hasidic Jewish family. They lived in Kolbuszowa, Poland. In the Hasidic tradition, he wore a long black coat and shoulder-length earlocks. He first faced antisemitism in the second grade when his teacher cut one earlock off each Jewish boy.
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1925 photograph taken in Kolbuszowa, Poland, showing Norman (at right) with his sister Rachel (left) and brother David (center). [LCID: sals1] — This 1925 photograph taken in Kolbuszowa, Poland, shows Norman Salsitz (at right) with his sister Rachel (left) and brother David (center).

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Prewar portrait of Norman's parents, Isak and Ester, taken in Kolbuszowa, Poland, in 1934 when Isak's brother visited from America. [LCID: sals3] — Prewar portrait of Norman's parents, Isak and Ester, taken in Kolbuszowa, Poland, in 1934 when Isak's brother visited from America. Isak's six siblings all emigrated to America. Isak and Esther, who remained in Kolbuszowa, both perished during the Holocaust: Isak was killed in the Kolbuszowa ghetto on April 28, 1942, and Esther was killed in the Belzec killing center in July 1942.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman's sisters Malcia, Matla, and Rachel eat bagels in the doorway of their mother's store. [LCID: sals7] — Norman's sisters Malcia, Matla, and Rachel eat bagels in the doorway of their mother's store. The red and white stripes on the door frames indicate that the store carried cigarettes, matches, and sugar, consumer goods regulated by a state monopoly. Kolbuszowa, Poland, 1934.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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1929 portrait of Norman with his niece, Szandla Weinstein. [LCID: sals2] — This 1929 portrait shows Norman Salsitz with his niece, Szandla Weinstein. Picture taken in front of a photographer's backdrop in the Kolbuszowa marketplace.
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1934 portrait of Norman's family with Norman seated in the front row (at left). [LCID: sals29] — In this 1934 portrait of Norman Salsitz's family, Norman is seated in the front row (at left). In the top row, center, an image of one of Norman's brothers has been pasted into the photograph. This is seen by comparing the size of the brother's face with the others pictured. Pasting in images of family members who could not be present during family portraits was common practice and in some cases the resulting composite images are the only remaining visual records of family groups.
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Four of Norman's sisters, the maid, and Norman's mother, Esther, do laundry in the yard of their home. [LCID: sals6] — Four of Norman's sisters, the maid, and Norman's mother, Esther, do laundry in the yard of their home. Kolbuszowa, Poland, 1934.
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Amalie Petranka (later Salsitz) at 22 years of age. [LCID: sals12] — Amalie Petranka (later Salsitz) at 22 years of age. She gave this photo to Norman Salsitz shortly after they met. Photograph taken in Stanislawow, Poland, on October 10, 1939.
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Norman Salsitz while under the assumed identity Tadeusz Zaleski. [LCID: sals10] — Norman Salsitz while under the assumed identity Tadeusz Zaleski. Legnica, Poland, 1945.
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Norman Salsitz and Amalie Petranka shortly after they met (under their assumed identities of, respectively, Felicja Milaszewska and ... [LCID: sals13] — Norman Salsitz and Amalie Petranka shortly after they met (under their assumed identities of, respectively, Felicja Milaszewska and Tadeusz Zaleski). Krakow, Poland, March 15, 1945.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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1949 photograph of Amalie and Norman in Brooklyn, New York, two years after they came to the United States. [LCID: sals14] — 1949 photograph of Amalie and Norman Salsitz in Brooklyn, New York, two years after they came to the United States.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Amalie in the United States in 1952. [LCID: sals16] — Amalie in the United States in 1952.
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Norman's daughter, Esther, at age one. April 1957. [LCID: sals17] — Norman's daughter, Esther, at age one. April 1957.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman's daughter, Esther, at three weeks of age, with her mother, Amalie. [LCID: sals18] — Norman's daughter, Esther, at three weeks of age, with her mother, Amalie. September 1956.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman (with camera) in the United States. August 1948. [LCID: sals24] — Norman (with camera) in the United States. August 1948.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Amalie and Norman go to Israel to visit family members. [LCID: sals22] — Amalie and Norman Salsitz go to Israel to visit family members. Lod (Lydda), Israel, February 9, 1949.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Amalie (left) with her grandmother and sister Pepka in Tel Aviv, Israel, 1949. [LCID: sals23] — Amalie (left) with her grandmother and sister Pepka in Tel Aviv, Israel, 1949.
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Photograph taken at the marriage of Esther Salsitz and her fiance. [LCID: sals19] — Photograph taken at the marriage of Esther Salsitz and her fiance. Esther's parents, Norman and Amalie, stand at left and right (respectively). June 19, 1977.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman and Amalie with their first grandchild, Dustin. [LCID: sals20] — Norman and Amalie Salsitz with their first grandchild, Dustin. March 11, 1983.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman's grandchildren, Dustin, Aaron, and Michael. [LCID: sals21] — Norman's grandchildren, Dustin, Aaron, and Michael. September 30, 1993.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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June 6, 1991, photograph showing Amalie and Norman with a copy of their book, Against All Odds. [LCID: sals25] — June 6, 1991, photograph showing Amalie and Norman Salsitz with a copy of their book, Against All Odds.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman's grandchildren, Michael, Dustin, and Aaron in 1997. [LCID: sals26] — Norman's grandchildren, Michael, Dustin, and Aaron in 1997.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman Salsitz holds a photograph of himself and Amalie. [LCID: athns244] — Norman Salsitz holds a photograph of himself and Amalie from 1945. 2004.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman Salsitz holds a photograph of his wife, Amalie, and daughter, Esther. [LCID: athns271] — Norman Salsitz holds a photograph of his wife, Amalie, and daughter, Esther. 2004.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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Norman Salsitz looks through his prewar family photographs. [LCID: athns340] — Norman Salsitz looks through his prewar family photographs. 2004.

With the end of World War II and collapse of the Nazi regime, survivors of the Holocaust faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. With little in the way of financial resources and few, if any, surviving family members, most eventually emigrated from Europe to start their lives again. Between 1945 and 1952, more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to the United States. Norman was one of them.
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