Remember My Name

Laurel Schneiderman | 1964- | American

A cold, dreary November day
Icy, stinging rain
The scent of decaying leaves
mixed with the human stench of
the unwashed
Even the sky cries for us saying...
remember me
remember my name

Standing for the last time in front of
the washed out gray walls of this so-called home
in the Lodz Ghetto
Waiting
Waiting
Whispers of unspeakable horrors
Eyes misting, meeting each others
for the last time saying...
remember me
remember my name

Clutching onto each others hands with
my beloved daughters Pearl and Raisel
Walking to the train
hearts beating like a metronome
each step on the muddy, brown stone road
a reminder..
a hope that someone will carry on and...
remember me
remember my name

We remember you
We remember your name
Yizkor

Born: Lodz, Poland abt 1846-?
Died: Unknown
Family lost contact with her early in the war

"Several years ago (early 2000s) one of the classes Laurel was assisting with, did a unit on the Holocaust. None of the kids in the room were really aware of the event. Another cousin had sent me copies of pictures that he had of Yehiel and Esther Watman Alter. Laurel wrote the poem and took in the pictures to give some concrete meaning of the Holocaust. She also told the kids that her great-grandparents left Poland/Russia to escape pogroms. Their courage and tenacity is the reason that our families are alive." (written by Laurel's mother)

Remember My Name In memory of Esther Watman Alter

Laurel Schneiderman | 1964- | American

Remember My Name
In memory of Esther Watman Alter