The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs

This poignant biography introduces young readers to Yaffa Eliach, a remarkable woman who survived the Holocaust and dedicated her life to ensuring that the vibrant Jewish community of her hometown, Eishyshok, would never be forgotten. The book beautifully illustrates her childhood in a town rich with tradition and family life, the devastating impact of World War II, and her inspiring work as a historian. It culminates with her creation of the 'Tower of Life' exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, a powerful collection of photographs and stories that visually reconstructs the lives of 5,000 lost individuals. This book offers a gentle yet impactful introduction to the Holocaust, focusing on remembrance, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection and memory.

"The story begins with Yaffa Eliach, a spirited young girl who grows up in a vibrant, happy 800-year-old town in Poland, filled with family life and rich traditions. Yaffa's grandmother, who receives a gift of a camera from America, becomes the village photographer, and takes photos of all the family events: weddings, bar mitzvahs, and family gatherings. And on the Jewish New Year, the villagers send photos to their relatives overseas to wish them a "Gut Yontif"! But one dark day, the town is invaded. And quickly the once happy home to 5,000 Jewish people is uprooted. Yaffa survives the war and becomes a Professor of History and America's foremost Holocaust expert. And when President Jimmy Carter invites her to create an exhibit for the new National Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, she travels around the world hunting down her grandmother's photos taken of people who fled from her beloved town, Eishyshok, along with their stories and memories. This breathtaking revival of the town's collective spirit, which is a permanent exhibit at The National Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, will inspire all who read it"--