Gertruda’s Oath: A Child, a Promise, and a Heroic Escape During World War II, by Ram Oren is a lovely story, and a beautifully written testimony of how young, Jewish Michael Stolowitzky survived the Holocaust. Gertruda Babilinska was Michael’s nanny, and without her, it is doubtful that Michael would have survived.

Gertruda’s Oath often reads like a book of intrigue, with its pages filled with drama and riveting sequences. It is a true story, though, depicting the courage, strength, determination, and love of Gertruda for Michael.

What sets it apart from other Holocaust stories is the fact that there are three primary stories of varied characters within the one book.

Gertruda is a Polish Catholic who works for the Stolowitzky family as a nanny to their son, Michael. Gertruda and Michael develop a very close relationship, and Michael relies on her for almost everything. He hardly lets her out of his sight.

Lydia and Jacob Stolowitzky live in a mansion on a hilltop in Warsaw. They are an extremely wealthy Jewish family. Jacob travels often for his varied business enterprises and holdings. He believes that his financial standing will enable him to cross borders, will help him to handle his financial interests, and will help him to survive and overcome any obstacle. He and Lydia seem to be a bit oblivious as to what is going on around them, until it is almost too late.

Meanwhile, there is Karl Rink, his wife Mira, and their daughter Helga. Mira is a Jew. Karl has become an SS officer, and seems to be completely naive and ignorant of what this could mean for Mira and Helga. He waves off Mira’s concerns. He truly believes that their marriage won’t become an issue with his SS superiors, and that in due time they will accept the fact he is married to a Jew. Mira, on the other hand, is quite aware of what the consequences could bring. Rink eventually comes into Gertruda and Michael’s lives.

As days go by, it becomes clear that Lydia is going to die. She makes Gertruda promise to protect Michael, protect him as if he is her own son. She gives Gertruda her wedding band. From that moment forward, Gertruda considers Michael to be her son. From that moment forward the drama of their lives unfolds before the reader, and is a story like no other.

Gertruda does everything in her power to protect Michael and keep him safe. She regrets none of her endeavors. She works long hours, often without monetary pay, but for food and/or lodging. She and Michael are constantly on the run. Their lives are a far cry from the ones of privilege in Warsaw. Along the way strangers befriend her, and help her and Michael to survive. Her love and determination is endless, timeless, and she will do anything for Michael’s safety.

The lives of Gertruda and the Rinks cross on occasion, and gives her more strength to continue on. Once Rink realizes that there is no hope, he manages to send his daughter, Helga, to Israel for her own safety. There she is involved in kibbutz life.

Gertruda and Michael make their way to Vilna where she feels it will be safer. Because Gertruda is Catholic, and because she tells the authorities that Michael is her son, they don’t have to move to the ghetto. They are there during the brutality and destruction of the city. They eventually embark for Israel aboard the ship the Exodus, and the British refused entry for the ship.

Gertruda’s Oath is a story of not only love and determination, but one of the horrors of the Holocaust told from a unique perspective. It begs us to ponder many issues, such as what we would do under similar circumstances. Would we risk our lives, as Gertruda did, in order to save another individual? What do we owe those we are employed by? What do we owe ourselves in time of great adversity, horror, conflict and devastation? Would we risk everything in order to suffer through the discomfort, in order to save another?

For Gertruda, there was no option. She didn’t even have to think about those questions, as her love for Michael was so strong, like a mother’s love. Gertruda’s Oath is a strong testament to her commitment to Michael, and to the love each one had for the other. Through the darkness the finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. They survived, and that they did was an incredible feat on Gertruda’s part. Her courage, tenacity, and strength to overcome obstacles was incredible. The story is extremely intense, leaving nothing to the imagination.

As an adult, Michael has his own story, told within the pages of Gertruda’s Oath, as he tried to claim the millions of dollars his father had in Swiss bank accounts. He found surprises along the journey.

Once in Israel, Gertruda worked long hours in order to earn enough money for her and Michael to live. It mattered not that she washed floors. Michael was never unappreciative, and was always there for Gertruda, as she aged. He was always cognizant as to the extremes Gertruda went through in order to save him and raise him. That he was grateful is an understatement. He was a dutiful “son”. He was there for her, at the end, as she was there for him at the beginning. Gertrude’s Oath, by Ram Oren is Michael’s way of honoring her, his testament of his love for her and his testament of her devotion to him.

Gertruda is one of The Righteous Among the Nations.

Gertruda’s Oath, by Ram Oren, is a compelling book. It is one that reveals the beauty of humankind, and a book that is inspirational and encouraging. Through compassion Gertruda and Michael’s story is one that conveys to what depths personal responsibility will carry one through. She was an unassuming woman of heroic stature. Her sense of honor and character is boldly stated within the pages. It is told through survivor interviews, through documentations and records. It is riveting, harrowing, heartwarming, well written by Ram Oren, and intense. It is a must read for everyone.

I highly recommend Gertruda’s Oath to everyone. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It belongs in every school, university and public library. It belongs in every personal library, and is on a bookshelf in mine.
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Wednesday August 19, 2009 – 29th of Av, 5769