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I Am the Son of a Nazi

A journey of discovery and healing from the ruins of the Third Reich

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I Am the Son of a Nazi: A journey of discovery and healing from the ruins of the Third Reich

The son of a decorated German officer, Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger was forced at a young age to confront his father’s unbroken allegiance to the Nazis. His journey ultimately led him to convert to Judaism and serve in the Israel Defense Forces. (Filmed at Chabad of the Upper East Side, NYC)
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Topics: Germany, Holocaust
Bernd Wollschlaeger
Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger was born in Germany; after converting to Judaism he moved to Israel and served in the IDF. Today he lives and practices medicine in Aventura, Florida. He authored a book about his life story titled “A German Life: Against all Odds, Change is Possible”.
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38 Comments
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Gabriel Mondragon LaGrange January 2, 2023

What a wonderful story Reply

Emese Oseni Whitby, Ontario, Canada August 2, 2022

Hashem rules. Hashem made this gentleman see what his father did was the worst thing in the world. Reply

מרדכי Lakewood August 1, 2022

תודה רבה
הסיפור מאוד מעניין, ממש כיף לשמוע נקודות טובות לחיים.
אלוף Reply

Jan Berger Sweden January 25, 2022

Dov Ben Avhram, your history is amazing
Reply

Anonymous Paris October 3, 2019

Impressive Reply

Zalmy Montreal January 1, 2019

Amazing story
It shook me up
You can see all is controlled by God Reply

yitzchak Horowitz December 24, 2017

Amazing I now purchased the book on Amazon Reply

yitzchak BROOKLYN December 24, 2017

Dear Dov ben Avraham

I really loved your story and I'm truly amazed at the way you had the strength to change a whole leaf of generations to be Jewish and grateful people I have no words and I will not say more now but thank you
BTW I really loved the clarity of how you put down step by step
Reply

Emese Oseni Whitby, Ontario, Canada August 2, 2022
in response to yitzchak:

Yessssssssssss, I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reply

Avraham Harel Raanana Israel December 20, 2017

Dear Dov ben Avraham, by chance I heared your history and I am very excited and thankful for your speech and greatly thankful to hashem for is chesed. My own life has similar events. If I remember right, I met you during the first Sommerkurs of the Juedische Hochschule Heidelberg, in the beginning of the 1980, nearly 40 years ago ? I wish you and your familiy in USA all the best, happiness, health and growing in Torah and Mizwoth. Shalom, Avraham Reply

Jack Ben Jakob Schleimer Tabor Deming, Wa March 4, 2014

Dov Ben Avraham I was particularly blessed by the forgiveness shown Dr. Wollschlaeger.I am a baal teshuva.Came out of the Roman church at age 18.I am now 61.G-d has taught me that a big part of teshuva is giving and receiving forgiveness and we don't stop doing teshuva till the day we die. Shalom Reply

Anonymous San Francisco March 3, 2014

Such an important story. Thank you for telling it. Reply

Shoshana-Dvora December 4, 2013

Dov Ben Avraham What an inspiring story! Dov Ben Avraham is a marvelous addition to the Jewish people. Reply

Emese Oseni Toronto, Canada November 18, 2013

Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger you are an inspiration to all. I can't stop viewing and reviewing your beautiful story.

Mazel Tov on your conversion and toda raba for your tear jerking story. Reply

Evelyn Ressler USA November 18, 2013

I am the child of a survivor Thank you and GD bless you Reply

Ilona Niemtschke Voorhees November 17, 2013

Thank you for sharing your story . I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to face your " Vater " and standing up for yourself and your believes.
With great respect and my regards Reply

Avrohom Ben Avrohom (Aka Sergey) New Jersey, USA November 17, 2013

Truly amazing story! Thank you, Dov Ben Avraham, for telling this story! We are Jewish and few years ago became fully Shabbat and Kosher observant. As B'aal Tshuva's, we had a lot to confront, to transform and to give up. And it is said that ' no Tzadik can stand near the B'aal Tshuva'. Well, as a B'aal Tshuva, I bow before you and have a strong feeling that I have no right to measure up to what you had to overcome. Let Hashem bless you and your family! Let your story be told by not only you, but by many people around the world so that it never happens again. Reply

Jack Schleimer Deming, Wa. November 16, 2013

Todah. Shalom. Reply

Rob gurau Texas November 14, 2013

My parents survived the holocaust. Reply

Steven Alvarez November 14, 2013

Wonderful learning experience This was a very moving story and lecture. Thank you for this! Reply

Rabbi Arthur H. Grae Leesburg, Florida November 13, 2013

A Truly Great Lecture This lecture was one of the finest and most principled talk I ever heard. It illustrates that when you have a belief deep in your heart, you go with it. Mazel tov on your superb choice to live the remainder of your life as a Jew. Reply

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