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Out of the Depths: The Story of a Child of Buchenwald Who Returned Home at Last [Hardcover]

Rabbi Israel Meir Lau , Elie Wiesel , Shimon Peres
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 1, 2011
With a foreword by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel!
 
Israel Meir Lau, one of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald, was just eight years old when the camp was liberated in 1945. Descended from a 1,000-year unbroken chain of rabbis, he grew up to become Chief Rabbi of Israel--and like many of the great rabbis, Lau is a master storyteller. Out of the Depths is his harrowing, miraculous, and inspiring account of life in one of the Nazis' deadliest concentration camps, and how he managed to survive against all possible odds.
Lau, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, also chronicles his life after the war, including his emigration to Mandate Palestine during a period that coincides with the development of the State of Israel. The story continues up through today, with that once-lost boy of eight now a brilliant, charismatic, and world-revered figure who has visited with Popes John Paul and Benedict; the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and countless global leaders including Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Tony Blair.
 
 

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rabbi Lau is one of the world's most revered and charismatic Jewish leaders. Lau was born in 1937 in Poland, the son of his town's last Chief Rabbi. He served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003. Currently, he is Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and Chairman of Yad Vashem--Israel's official memorial organization to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. In 2005, Lau was awarded the Israel Prize (the country's highest honor) for his lifetime achievements and special contribution to society and the State of Israel.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Sterling; Tra edition (November 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 140278631X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402786310
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

It is a deeply inspiring and moving book. Judy Gruen  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
Just finished reading this amazing book. Rochelle Rosen  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
I deeply appreciate the opportunity to read Rabbi Lau's memoir. J. Kelley  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A moving account of survival and faith November 19, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the second book translated into English By Rabbi Israel Meir Lau. Rabbi Lau is an exceptional Rabbi, speaker, and religious leader in search of unity with the divine and with his fellow men. I cannot recommend enough "Practical Judaism" for those who want to learn the basics of our faith. His second book, Out of the depths, a reference to psalm 130 From the depths, relates the story of his life and is divided in two parts: the knife, the fire, and the wood, a reference to the akedah, and the ram's horn, a reference to the redemption and the coming of Moschiach. The book follows Lulek from his infancy and the time he was pulled out of the darkest moment and place on earth, the death camp of Buchenwald, to his emigration to / and education in Israel as an orphan to build a life of Torah, infused with divine light. Rabbi Lau says: G-d has tried me with suffering but he has not given me over to death. Why G-d chose to spare him (and his brother Naphtali) and not the rest of his family who perished in the holocaust? Rabbi Lau does not have an answer but he teaches us that everything is G-d's will, which we cannot really understand or question. However, the purpose of his book is to show that you can survive the worst ordeals and build on ashes by finding strength in entrusting your spirit into G-d's hands and in keeping the line of communication always open with Him through prayers. This book is in turn inspiring, moving, enthralling. I was saddened by the first part, the struggle to survive (which reminded me of The night by Elie Wiesel), but at the same time I felt peace in my heart. Rabbi Lau was not destroyed by his tragic life beginning and personal loss; instead he was grateful for what G-d gave him and came out as a refined man. From this read, one feels compelled to accept every day challenge (not comparable to what Rabbi Lau went through) with a lighter heart and work on oneself to become a better person. Rabbi Lau's determination, focus, and wisdom are admirable. A miraculous recovery and a must read.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding memoir... February 6, 2012
By Roberta
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald, Israel Meir Lau, against all odds, survived to live an extraordinary life to become the Chief Rabbi of Israel. As Chief Rabbi, he was respected worldwide and met many influential heads of state and important religious leaders (from the Rebbe Menachem Schneerson to two Popes). He chronicles his life in Buchenwald -- an eight year old child at the time of Liberation, as well as the aftermath of war including his time in a French orphan camp, his emigration to Palestine, his training as a young rabbinical student, and his life as chief Rabbi. What is particularly interesting are his accounts and recognition of all the people he meets along the way who help and influence him. The charismatic personality and spirit of Israel Meir Lau shine through on every page of this book. This is a moving and inspirational memoir that you won't be able to put down.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired May 25, 2012
Format:Hardcover
I have read many books about Holocaust survivors and inspite of their losses and the extreme cruel and unusual conditions, they seem to retain their dignity and believe that people are basically good. However, Rabbi Lau's story is the most amazing of all.
I have purchased several more copies of the book and given it as gifts. Everyone's reaction is the same as mine. I plan to reread it this summer and will continue to share it with others. I think this is among my all time favorite books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is incredible to see the hand of God in his life. How he was saved thru all the horror. Read more
Published 4 days ago by ninny
4.0 out of 5 stars A powerful account of a child who survives Buchenwald to become a...
I am not Jewish and first heard about Rabbi Lau in a recent New York Times article about the death of New York Rabbi Herschel Schacter and how in 1944 he had been part of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Patricia
4.0 out of 5 stars Out of the depths
I liked the beginning alot but it did get more difficult to read as he went on about Judaism and its struggles after World War 2. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Shell
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Definitely a must read !, More if you are interested in the holocaust. As many other out there but it is still an Unbelievable story.
Published 2 months ago by Uriel Sandkovsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Depths
This book is a must read for everyone. The Holocaust must never be forgotten. Tears will flow freely. Rabbi Lau is a living example to all of us.
Published 4 months ago by Rochel
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving memoir from a child of the Holocaust who rises to...
This is a poignant and beautifully written memoir by Israel Meir Lau, born into a family with a distinguished rabbinic history reaching back 38 generations. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Judy Gruen
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
This is much more than an incredibly interested biography. It's an inspirational journey through Jewish history from WWII through the founding and growth of the State of Israel... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Arnie Singer - Author
3.0 out of 5 stars Good First Half, Disappointing Second Half
First, a disclaimer. I write this review from the point of view of a religious Jew.
The review is not a comment on the author himself (as other reviews may be),but strictly... Read more
Published 9 months ago by EPA18
3.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Depths
A biography that must be read. I only wish it came on Kindle, not audio, but to read. I found it very difficult to read the small type in the printed book and would have... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Judith Nusbaum
5.0 out of 5 stars He is smiling!
I loved this book. I have been going through some personal struggles, and this book was just what I needed to read. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ingrid R. Briles
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