I wrote to Wiesel after my father died, when weather prevented him from speaking at an NCTE conference in Nashville, where I'd looked forward to meeting him. I told him I'd read *Night* on my way to Transylvania, where Sighet is not very far from Orynyn, my father's Ukranian shtetl, when I was called home to my father's deathbed. Wiesel wrote a very kind response. When you cited the words "Man raises himself toward God by the questions he asks Him," I thought of V. Gordon Childe's archaeological classic "Man Makes Himself." Sartre wrote, "Man makes himself; he is not found ready-made." On that, he and Camus agreed.
To have been so close and so far, to know what you know, you have made yourself whole and admirable, dear Jay. I hope all who come here read you comment that is full of life and loss and hope. ~ Mary
This is a beautiful and brave reminder, Mary. Throughout history, while those seeking a brutal absolute power have openly said what they are about, people have stayed silent. And those silent ones who thought they would be safe ignored the truth so briefly and powerfully stated by Martin Niemoller. With so much hate coming into the open, including by leaders and would-be leaders, we need to speak. Thank you for doing so.
So powerful, Mary. I believe it is possible to undergo a transformation like Wiesel's by reading about his experience. In this way, I think literature invites us all to participate in the survivor's dilemma, does it not? Thank you for this beautiful meditation today.
A beautiful and thoughtful essay. I heard Wiesel speak once at a small dinner, about 30 years ago, and it was clear that he was still struggling with having survived, and what it meant to survive.
Such kind words, Elizabeth, on a difficult, heartbreaking issue. (As an aside, my ever accomplished daughter graduated from Wesleyan. Email me and I'll tell you her name as that college literally changed her life.)
I'm not sure how to email you privately, but I'd love to know more about her and her experience here. I guess you could email me through my website (elizabethbobrick.com) or message me on FB if you're on there. And thanks for following my Substack.
I wrote to Wiesel after my father died, when weather prevented him from speaking at an NCTE conference in Nashville, where I'd looked forward to meeting him. I told him I'd read *Night* on my way to Transylvania, where Sighet is not very far from Orynyn, my father's Ukranian shtetl, when I was called home to my father's deathbed. Wiesel wrote a very kind response. When you cited the words "Man raises himself toward God by the questions he asks Him," I thought of V. Gordon Childe's archaeological classic "Man Makes Himself." Sartre wrote, "Man makes himself; he is not found ready-made." On that, he and Camus agreed.
To have been so close and so far, to know what you know, you have made yourself whole and admirable, dear Jay. I hope all who come here read you comment that is full of life and loss and hope. ~ Mary
The conversation originated in *you*, Mary. Thank you for it.
This is a beautiful and brave reminder, Mary. Throughout history, while those seeking a brutal absolute power have openly said what they are about, people have stayed silent. And those silent ones who thought they would be safe ignored the truth so briefly and powerfully stated by Martin Niemoller. With so much hate coming into the open, including by leaders and would-be leaders, we need to speak. Thank you for doing so.
So, well said--and kind to me in doing so. I did feel I had to write this!
So powerful, Mary. I believe it is possible to undergo a transformation like Wiesel's by reading about his experience. In this way, I think literature invites us all to participate in the survivor's dilemma, does it not? Thank you for this beautiful meditation today.
Ah, you dear soul. I hold you in my heart.
A beautiful and thoughtful essay. I heard Wiesel speak once at a small dinner, about 30 years ago, and it was clear that he was still struggling with having survived, and what it meant to survive.
Such kind words, Elizabeth, on a difficult, heartbreaking issue. (As an aside, my ever accomplished daughter graduated from Wesleyan. Email me and I'll tell you her name as that college literally changed her life.)
I'm not sure how to email you privately, but I'd love to know more about her and her experience here. I guess you could email me through my website (elizabethbobrick.com) or message me on FB if you're on there. And thanks for following my Substack.
Try marytabor@substack.com and I'll reply with my personal email, Elizabeth. xo