The Holocaust might seem to be a daunting topic for a children’s book, but author Chana Stiefel handles it with finesse and sensitivity. Her illustrated book, “The Tower of Life,” tells the story of Yaffa Eliach, a survivor and historian. Eliach spent years documenting the lives of Holocaust victims, including many from her hometown of Eishyshok, Lithuania. An especially moving tribute to Eliach’s work is on display at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. It is a collection of photographs she curated called “Tower of Faces.”
Stiefel uses Eliach’s journey as the story arc in “The Tower of Life.” She will discuss her book at events on Feb. 25 and 26 at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. Stiefel recently spoke with the Jewish Light about her upcoming visit.
How did you first become aware of Yaffa Eliach?
In 2016, I opened up my New York Times and saw her obituary. I read it over and over again. It drew me in and I just knew I had to write about her. She was such a remarkable woman. I was so taken by her resilience and hope.
What was most compelling to you about Yaffa’s life and work?
Her grandmother was the town photographer, so Yaffa tucked some photos in her shoes when the family fled Eishyshok. Many years later, President Jimmy Carter reached out to her to build a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Yaffa didn’t want to focus on death and darkness. She remembered these beautiful people of her town which, set her out on a 17-year mission to travel around the world to five continents, and collect photos of every man, woman, and child who had lived there before the war.
Is there a particular age group of children you recommend as appropriate for your presentations in St. Louis and the book?
It’s geared towards third grade and up because it’s not overly graphic. And it focuses on Yaffa’s mission, which was hope and light and celebrating life. She focused on the lives of the people of Eishyshok rather than their deaths. It was Yaffa’s entire mission to humanize the victims. I think that’s what drew me into her story.
Was this book an especially challenging project because of the subject matter?
I never set out to write a Holocaust book. But once I read Yaffa’s story, I knew I had to write it. I was very emotionally connected. Tackling the Holocaust for children is a huge subject. As adults, we’re still learning different aspects of Holocaust. I had survivors in my family. We lost many members in my family so I had a personal connection. I learned from a Holocaust educator that the Holocaust was one times six million, that each person had a story. I knew I had to tell this one person’s story.
What are your goals when you speak to audiences about “The Tower of Life.”
I share Yaffa’s message of hope, that the knowledge of the past, and hope for the future, that it will build bridges between the world that once was, and the world still to be. And that the world of the future will be a better one, because of those bridges, so that gives me hope that when we share these stories, the next generation will be a better one.
Chana Stiefel will host a story hour at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25, designed for children ages 5-8. Registration information is available here. On Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m., Stiefel will talk about how she brought Yaffa Eliach’s story to life in a program suitable for families. Tickets can be purchased here.
