THANKS 2
factsb4u.peperonity.com for refering me to this great article from original site ..
http://migs.concordia.ca
INTERESTING MEMOIRS
Editors’ Introduction
Konrad Elkana Charmatz (1910-1986) survived wartime imprisonment in several concentration and work camps to become a noted Yiddish journalist and broadcaster on radio and television in Paris and later in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Yiddish version of his memoirs entitled "Koshmarn" (Nightmares) was written in the 1980s (Neyer Moment Publishers, Sao Paulo, Brazil,1975). It was based on diaries the author had kept during his confinement in the Sosnowiec ghetto, which unfortunately did not survive his incarceration in Auschwitz. The present English translation is by Miriam Dashkin Beckerman. The memoir chronicles the plight of a single individual caught up in the Nazis’ murderous program. In this case the memoirist was an individual who was politically aware and highly articulate so that his personal record is a richly detailed document of a human existence under extreme conditions--a fate he shared with countless others.
Charmatz wrote in a forceful, direct prose and his depictions of people and events bear witness to his skill as a professional journalist. While he never alludes to his personal status, it is clear to the reader that he was a person of exceptional leadership qualities. He was literate in several European languages and this fact enabled him to read and interpret the news items garnered from clandestine radio bulletins or newspapers to his fellow inmates who had no other access to crucial information about the military progress of the war.
In 1985 he was awarded the World Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims’ Prize in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Son of Maier and Esther-Rochel Charmatz. Born in Ostrowiec (Ostrove), Kielce District, Poland, Dec. 21, 1910.
Studied at the Gevardik Yeshiva (a Mussar yeshiva).
Started to write poems and stories at a young age.
From 1935 on, lived in Sosnowiec (Sosnovtze), Zaglebie, Poland, where he did business on a large scale, with plate glass.
Was in the Sosnowiec ghetto. Arrested in February, 1940 by the Gestapo. Dragged off to the German labour camps, concentration camps: Birkenau-Auschwitz, Warsaw to clean up the
destruction of the Warsaw ghetto after its liquidation, and Dachau.
Freed by the American army May 2, 1945. At end of same month went to Paris.
Co-worker at the Paris Yiddish newspaper Undzer Vort (Our Word).
Arrived in Brazil at the end of 1946. Became editor of the Yiddishe Press (Jewish Press) in Rio de Janeiro. Afterwards, editor of the same newspaper in Sao Paulo. Pioneer of a Jewish television programme in Sao Paulo (Channel 5). Created a Jewish radio show in 1954 which continued until 1967.
In 1964 took over the publication of the newspaper Der Neiyer Moment (The New Moment) which appears three times weekly.
For one year published a monthly illustrated Jewish magazine (1967).
Received the Order Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva in 1965 and a medal from the municipality of San Paulo in 1969.
Won second prize in the competition of best literary composition of the development and life of the Hebraica, a Jewish social cultural club in Sao Paulo in 1974.
Winner of World Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates and Nazi Victims Prize in Tel-Aviv, Israel in 1985.
Died in May 1986.
