Dr. Dov (Bernd) Wollschlaeger grew up in Bamberg, Germany, as a son of a former general in the Wehrmacht–the German army during World War II. Totally unaware of his father’s involvement in the murder of Jews during the Holocaust, young Bernd did not even know about the systematic genocide of Jews that had taken place a quarter of a century earlier. To the contrary, his father was always termed a hero by his friends.
This changed abruptly in 1972, when Israeli athletes were massacred at the Munich Olympics. Fourteen-year-old Bernd heard for the first time about the Holocaust, when his teachers at school discussed the event and the ramifications it had on the German nation’s attempt in rectifying its attitude toward the Jews. Bernd was swept with a burning desire to know what part his father had had in the past that had always been hidden from him.
Although difficult at first, his father finally told him the truth. Thus began Bernd’s fascinating journey, in which he converted to Judaism–leaving behind Bernd for Dov, relocated to Israel and joined the IDF as a medical officer. His story is one-of-a-kind, portraying a turnaround which one would find hard to believe possible.
Dov will be speaking today at the United Lubavitcher Yeshivah Auction in Beis Rivkah 470 Lefferts at 4:15 for the men and 8:00 for the women.
Come listen to his amazing story and be inspired. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
does he have a website ?
You can watch a recording of one of his speeches, (not from the auction) on Torah Cafe
http://www.torahcafe.com/dr-bernd-wollschlaeger/from-the-wehrmacht-to-the-idf-video_98f9d1d83.html
Did someone record his speech. If yes, can you guys post it?
I would reword the title. It is painful to call a fellow Jew “Nazi’s Son” like that. It sounds like a curse. Even “Jewish son of a Nazi” would sound a lot better imho.
the Torah says that a ger was always a Jew and just has to return to his Jewish essence. The hard thing is how people treat gairim. They think that you are a strange bird or of a lower “caste”. This is what is hard.
sounds like a special guy…….its very hard to become a ger,all the more so when ur father is a nazi!
Me too!
These stories don’t happen every day!
On the flyer it said that he will be selling his book there.
can’t wait!
Can this be made available online for those living outside Crown Heights ? maybe a video, after the event
Hashem is really great!
This sounds really fascinating! Can’t wait to hear it!