Between Galicia and Hungary: The Jews of Stropkov

"I must say I am very impressed by what you have done, and hope that the book will find its way to every Holocaust library. You are really to be congratulated for a very fine achievement."  -- Sir Martin Gilbert

Melody Amsel, an American-born Israeli amateur genealogist, has created a beautifully written yizkor (Holocaust memorial) book about the Jews of Stropkov, Slovak Republic. Many Jewish genealogists have memorialized members of their family murdered in the Holocaust. Ms. Amsel went a step further and not only memorialized the Amsels of Stropkov, but all the Jews of Stropkov. The book has some unusual features for a yizkor book. It is written in two languages: Hebrew and English, each a mirror of the other. It does not have a necrology--a list of those who were killed. Instead, it lists all the Jews of Stropkov (and neighboring communities), identifying the survivors in bold face. The list goes on for 64 pages of Holocaust victims, occasionally interrupted by an entry in bold face to identify a survivor. Of the more than 2,000 Stropkovers identified, only 162 survived the Holocaust.

The narrative is a history of the Jews of Stropkov, from their first presence about 1640 to 1945. Particular emphasis is on life just before the Holocaust and the events during the Holocaust. Amsel personalizes the times by not merely describing life during these periods but by naming Jewish citizens of the town. Clearly she interviewed many of the survivors and described activity as it happened to specific people.

A middle section has more than 100 pictures of the Jews of Stropkov. Heavy emphasis is on life before the Holocaust and even pictures taken during the deportations by a Christian photographer.

7" x 10"  352 pages hard cover $49

                 Over 100 photos included in this book!

TABLE OF CONTENTS: - Blessing vii - Acknowledgements ix - About the Author x - Introduction xi Chapter One: The Early Years   Chapter Two, 1800-1867   Chapter Three: 1867-1880   Chapter Four: 1880-1914   Chapter Five: 1914-1937   Chapter Six: Life in the Late 1930s   Chapter Seven: The Holidays   Chapter Eight: "The Troubles"   Chapter Nine: The Deportations   Chapter Ten: The Fate of the Transports   Chapter Eleven: Survival, 1942-1945   Chapter Twelve: Aftermath   Chapter Thirteen: Conclusion   Appendix A: Spelling and Names   Appendix B: Further Reading   Appendix C: Further Research   Appendix D: The Jews of Stropkov, 1942-1945: Their Names, Their Fate   Glossary   Bibliography   Index to Places   Index to Names