Holocaust survivor Papo, Papo’s legacy was inherited by his granddaughter Shaindel, who continues to cherish and honor his legacy today. Born in Poland, he suffered unspeakable loss during the Holocaust. His sister Hania was killed in Treblinka, and his mother Chana died in Bergen-Belsen. Even with the horrors and trauma he experienced, Papo created a life filled with love and resilience. His daily life and the legacy of love and memories he left behind for his family speak to that strength.
While his survival was indeed legendary, perhaps even more legendary is Papo’s particular style. He was almost always in a pale yellow polo or a baby-blue button-down shirt. He’d worn all these things together, paired them with khakis, New Balance sneakers and a navy Polo Ralph Lauren windbreaker. Even more surprisingly, most of his wardrobe was from Costco, highlighting an earthy pragmatism that was a hallmark of his life.
When Papo was shot and killed in 2018, his mother faced the traumatic decision of choosing his burial outfit. Her task was made more difficult by the requirement that she source something without a Kirkland Signature label. This moment beautifully represented the day-to-day climate that comes with the life story of a Holocaust survivor.
The relationship between Papo and his granddaughter was hard to describe, but there was certainly a spiritual connection that knew no generational bounds. She took comfort in their shared memories and those beautiful inherited possessions. Among these were photographs of Papo. On one hand, he wore the stately black blazer with the wide gold button and high-waisted plaid trousers, showing all the stuffy whiter-than-white side of his personality.
All she got from her grandmother was clothing. Along with family heirlooms, we were bequeathed a cherished jewelry collection, a lipstick holder, and a wardrobed love—her Burberry trench coat. Among these mementos was Papo’s navy blue windbreaker. She would put it on only on significant days, such as his liberation anniversary from WWII, or his birthday, or Yahrzeit, which is a Jewish memorial day for the departed.
Her granddaughter found an old box full of Kodak slides. These slides documented beloved events and experiences that transpired across the country from the mid-1950s to the early 1980s. These slides offered a glimpse into Papo’s life and served as a tangible connection to her family’s past.
In order to better comprehend her grandfather’s experience through the Holocaust, she watched him talk about it by reading his Shoah Foundation memoir. This collection of visual and written testimonies from survivors provided insight into the struggles and resilience that marked Papo’s life.
Though Papo passed recently, on August 31, she still sees young men in Brooklyn wearing fits similar to what Papo used to wear. Mocked by this fad, she humorously named it “Morriscore,” after her grandfather’s first name. It was heartwarming for her to see how Papo’s uniform—New Balance sneakers, button-downs, and Polo windbreakers—had become part of contemporary fashion.
“Must the children of survivors bear a heavier burden than the children of those who did not go through the hell? This is a terrible burden.” – Morris
This poignant reflection from Papo reminds us of the heavy legacy of memory and trauma that many descendants of Holocaust survivors have to bear. While his granddaughter feels the burden of this legacy, she embraces the opportunity to keep Papo’s memory alive through storytelling and personal artifacts.