#134 - Tisha B'Av Episode - The Hideout in Slovakia

Rabbi Yossi Steiner spent the war years on the run - as a child - and survived through a series of miracles.   He found himself alone in a ghetto, needing to take care of his 5 year old brother. He hid in a bunker for 9 months, whilst Nazis came searching with trained dogs. He crossed borders through forests and fields and spent months pretending to be a mute child.   His story and that of the non-jewish family who saved him, must be heard...   To see a clip of the bunker that saved R' Steiner, click here - https://www.jle.org.uk/pages/podcast   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:19 Life Before the War 03:46 Imposition of Decrees and Restrictions 06:14 Escape to Hungary 09:38 Safety in Hungary and the Divide Between Hungarian Jews and Jewish Refugees 13:25 Dangers for Foreign Jews in Hungary 16:20 Desperate Attempts to Save Loved Ones 21:52 Life Under False Identities 27:03 Return to Slovakia 29:00 Escape and Disappearance 30:28 Hiding and Seeking Refuge 31:57 The Mosulak Family's Heroic Act 32:55 The Consequences of the Slovak Uprising 34:22 Nazi Threats and Close Calls 36:20 Living in Fear and Constant Danger 37:19 Jan Mosulak's Courageous Denial 43:29 Honoring the Mosulak Family 46:40 The Fear and Resilience of a Child 50:33 The Importance of Not Giving Up 52:49 Finding Meaning in Loss and Tears