driving alter home

through a seemingly random turn in a recent conversation, i learned this week of the death (in 2018) of Holocaust survivor Alter Wiener.

Polish by descent, Alter, 92, one of the last living survivors of over four concentration camps, was hit by a car while walking at night and the caption read of the Hillsboro, Oregon resident, "He survived the Holocaust only to be struck and killed by a car."  (not to be flippant, but i can't help singing Alannis Morisette's song Ironic in my mind.)

i had the honor of meeting Alter when he spoke several years ago to students during chapel at the school i taught at.  it was the most respectful assembly experience on the part of the kids that i recall in over 15 years and afterwards students lined up, many of them weeping, to ask Alter questions.

the Vice Principal who had picked him up for chapel had double-booked herself, so she asked if i would be able to give him a ride home, as he didn't drive.  

it's a car ride i'll always remember.  

in between giving me directions to his apartment, Alter opened up to me further about his life and experiences.  when we arrived at his home, he invited me in to play Scrabble.  i couldn't stay but came in for a moment to make sure he was settled and to see his place.

what stood out to me were all the boxes still unpacked, no photos on the wall.  i assumed he'd just moved in, but no, he'd been living there for quite some time.  the only thing on the coffee table was a lone Scrabble board.  i didn't press him on the subject because, despite how at home he was while giving his presentation, i could feel pain emanating from him when he sunk into the couch alone.   i can only imagine when you've suffered as much as he had that the ideas of belonging, permanence, and attachment can become elusive abstractions.  

i encourage you to read the late Mr. Wiener's book, 64735: From a Name to a Number.  from losing his entire family to having his teeth kicked out by a guard, he knew how vital it was to share his experiences with us, the next generations.  one of the reasons he survived at all, i remember, was because a German factory worker risked her life by hiding a sandwich for him 30 days in a row.

rest in peace, Alter, and save a game of Scrabble for me.  you've gone from a name to a number and more than back to a beloved name.

you can watch and listen to him in this 2016 video here:  Alter Wiener presentation