Mark Schonwetter
Mark Schonwetter was born in Brzostek, Poland to farm owners, Israel & Sala Schonwetter. When Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Mark was a 5 ½ year old boy living happily and comfortably with his younger sister, Zosia, on the farm his parents owned. Until one day when the Gestapo came into their town and forced them to find someplace else to live. One night in the spring of 1942 their lives changed forever. Running from the Gestapo, Sala, Mark and his younger sister escaped their hometown and walked 15 miles in the middle of the night to a ghetto where they thought they would be safer. After spending 3 months in the Debica Ghetto, they escaped with the help from a Polish friend, Antoni Pilat. For the next three years, Sala, Mark & Zosia survived the Holocaust hiding during the winter months in kind Polish people’s homes and in the forest during the warm weather months. After the war, Mark, along with his mother and sister, stayed in Poland and lived under the Communist Regime until 1957 at which time they had an opportunity to leave and emigrate to Israel.
Making a living in Israel was difficult, so after 4 years Mark reached out to family they had in America and was sponsored by his aunt to come to the United States. Not knowing a word of English and having only $5.00 in his pocket he boarded a ship and made his way across the ocean to start a new life for himself. With the help of family, he obtained work at a jewelry factory sweeping floors. Working hard he went to school to learn English and started to learn the trade of the company. Within 5 years he rose to become the factory manager. In 1971, Mark had the opportunity to purchase a wedding ring manufacturing company of his own. Over the next 40 years Mark grew that manufacturing company, Lieberfarb, Inc. into a successful nationally branded wedding ring and bridal brand. Now in retirement, Mark has dedicated his time to speaking with students and adults about his life's journey.
Mark has always lived by the saying "Live every day with love not hatred and you will accomplish so much more in life." Mark's huge smile and love for life shines through. Married to his beautiful wife, Luba, for over 55 years and having 2 daughters, Ann and Isabella, and 4 grandchildren he can say he has lived the American Dream! Mark is very committed to Holocaust education, and, along with his daughters, founded the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation. Speaking and inspiring people all over the country, Mark’s resilience and love of life is a true beacon of hope.
List of Video Segments with Links:
Part I: Prewar Life and the Early Days of WWII Displayed Above
Part III: Surviving in the Forest
Critical Thinking Questions:
- In part one of the interview, Mr. Schonwetter says that during the first months of the war, no one could have dreamed that something like the Holocaust could have happened. Why do you think no one could have imagined the Holocaust taking place?
- In part two, how does Mr. Schonwetter describe living in the Dembitz ghetto? What stands out to you? Why?
- In part four, Mr. Schonwetter describes the final year of the war when his family lived as “Polish refugees.” Why did they disguise themselves as refugees? What challenges and dangers did they face?
Writing Prompts:
- Using Mr. Schonwetter’s interview develop a short essay in which you imagine the following scenario: you have 20 minutes to dress and pack a backpack before you must flee from your home. Life-threatening danger follows you. You don’t know where you will go, or for how long. How will you dress? What will you pack in your backpack? Will you travel with a group? Alone? With one or two other people? What kind of attitude or outlook would you need to maintain to survive? Keep in mind you may not have access to technology, electricity or other conveniences.
- Throughout the interview, Mr. Schonwetter mentions several people who helped his immediate family survive, including the Piłat Family, the Dziedzic family, a Catholic priest, and farmers. Using the interview, write a short essay in which you examine the following: Who were the main individuals who helped protect the Schonwetters? How did they help them? What were the risks to these people Why do you think they chose to help, rather than turning the family over to the Germans? What moral lessons can we learn by studying their actions?
Links To More Resources:
Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation
Together: A Journey for Survival by Ann Schonwetter Arnold
“Brzostek” History, Photos, oral history (Virtual Shtetl)
“Ghettos” (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
“Volksdeutsche” (Yad Vashem)
“The Holocaust by Bullets” (Yahad-In Unum)
In Evidence: Map of the Holocaust by Bullets (Yahad-In Unum)