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| OHCC LIVING | SEPTEMBER 2024 | 31 Yiddish Club Death and Diamonds – A Memoir OHCC resident, Laura Yotter, shares her father, Samuel Soldinger's life and vision: "Daddy, tell me a story of when you were a child." "Sweetheart, someday I will, when you're older. Someday." As I grew up, I gradually came to learn that my beloved father, Samuel Soldinger, was a Holocaust survivor. I began to understand the atrocities that he overcame in order to survive, and the fact that ultimately, he was determined to thrive and flourish. Death & Diamonds is my father's inspiring true story, which chronicles his time as a young boy growing up in the Jewish Quarter of Krakow, to the rise of Nazi Germany, and beyond. Little did he know that by the age of 17, he would be the only survivor of his immediate family. He survived seven Nazi concentration camps. He was fortunate enough to work for Oskar Schindler, whom he considered to be the greatest man who ever lived. Samuel was liberated from Mauthausen Concentration Camp on May 5, 1945. But the story doesn't end there. Aer the war, my father made his way to America and landed a position with diamond magnate Harry Winston. In the 1960s, he was sent to Arizona to teach Native Americans the art of diamond cutting in a plant that he operated for the next 20 years. Along with his impact in the community, he was a loving family man, ping-pong champion and lover of the lights of Las Vegas! He lived an incredible, joyous, giving and wonderful life. His memoir, Death and Diamonds is mostly in my father's own words, as he felt compelled to share his story in the hope that the horrors of the Holocaust never happen again. Samuel's story is one of perseverance, courage and dignity. e years of unthinkable brutality did not break the spirit of this sweet, strong and gentle giant, who flourished beyond those harrowing days to brighter new ones. My father said, "Every survivor has a story. ose who didn't survive couldn't tell their story. I can't speak for all of these people. I wish I could." Given all he endured, his positive outlook on life was something extraordinary. He never harbored hatred for anyone. He taught us to never be prejudiced. He always spoke positively in difficult situations. He enriched all of our lives, and we are better because of it. Most of all, my dad is my hero. My father passed away peacefully in 2001, and now, it is my passion to share his experiences with readers. Recently, I was most appreciative to have the opportunity to present his book at Ocean Hills and meet many of you OHCC members. Your interest in hearing more was exactly Samuel's mission: by educating and continuing to share his story, let us ensure this never happens again - to anyone or to any other group of people in any generation. Death & Diamonds is available in the OHCC library or can be purchased on Amazon.com. is memoir is dedicated to the more than six million Jews and others who perished in the Holocaust. is book is to honor them, and spread love, kindness, healing, hope and peace for generations to come. May we never forget. For more information, please visit DeathandDiamondsMemoir. com. NOTE: We hope you enjoyed our Genealogy program that was held last month! We have openings for our Yiddish Club Board. Please contact Carole Silverman at (818) 613-1306 for more information. Written by Laura Yotter, A member of the OH Yiddish Club

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