The memoir of one woman’s emotional quest to find the art of her Polish-Jewish great-grandfather; lost during World War II. Moshe Rynecki’s body of work reached close to eight hundred paintings and sculptures before his life came to a tragic end. It was his great-granddaughter Elizabeth who sought to rediscover his legacy; setting upon a journey to seek out what had been lost but never forgotten… The everyday lives of the Polish-Jewish community depicted in Moshe Rynecki’s paintings simply blended into the background of Elizabeth Rynecki’s life when she was growing up. But the art transformed from familiar to extraordinary in her eyes after her grandfather; Moshe’s son George; left behind journals detailing the loss her ancestors had endured during World War II; including Moshe’s art. Knowing that her family had only found a small portion of Moshe’s art; and that many more pieces remained to be found; Elizabeth set out to find them. Before Moshe was deported to the ghetto; he entrusted his work to friends who would keep it safe. After he was killed in the Majdanek concentration camp; the art was dispersed all over the world. With the help of historians; curators; and admirers of Moshe’s work; Elizabeth began the incredible and difficult task of rebuilding his collection. Spanning three decades of Elizabeth’s life and three generations of her family; this touching memoir is a compelling narrative of the richness of one man’s art; the devastation of war; and one woman’s unexpected path to healing.
#2699528 in Books 2016-06-16 2016-06-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.00 x 5.90l; #File Name: 0996117709264 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. She is beautiful; bright and a supreme heroineBy ARGProposed Review from AlanA Compelling; inspiring and important read. Not to be missed.I started The Rose Temple a few days before Labor Day and somehow on 9/11 found myself on the page dealing with that event. The narrative of Lucia's incredible journey; especially the way in which she tries to solve the mysteries of her Biblically symbolic dreams; drew me in and quickly became a real page turner. I was also fascinated by the duality of her spiritual being - with her Christian past popping up every once in a while within her Jewish present. This is a book that should appeal to both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences.The book is written in alternating chapters of past and present that work seamlessly. The story flows well and the writing is superb. At the heart of it all; of course; is Lucia’s story. She is beautiful; bright and a supreme heroine. Her resilience; grace; hope and optimism; despite the dark days she had to endure; will inspire every reader. And ours would be a better world if the love that leaps from the book found its way into all corners of our universe.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great read; wonderful storyBy CustomerI found this book through the 2017 Jewish Book Council list. I was drawn to the nature of the topics which include The Holocaust; an immigrant's journey and the struggle with spirituality. Lucia Weitzman has poured her life into the pages of this book with the help of her son; Mitchell; author. In it; she finds herself rescued at a very young age from certain death in Poland at the hands of the Nazis thanks to a Catholic couple who struggle to keep her identity a secret. She spends a lifetime trying to understand the circumstances of her childhood; her Jewish roots and a larger connection to signs the universe is sending her. She travels the world and experiences a profound series of occurrences. The book bounces between past and present in a playful and enjoyable way; allowing parallels to seep through. Lucia's journey is colored with hope and fulfillment. Great read; wonderful story.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Exquisite and upliftingBy Jackie ShapoA sensitive and intelligent child and devoted Catholic is suddenly labeled a Jew and her world changes. This child works so hard to show the world she is “good;†but Hate permeates where she least expects it. Rather than surrender to despair; she finds solace in a mother’s love and her Faith. This story captures how the primal longing to parent can elevate ordinary and imperfect people to the heroic. While parenting does not negate imperfection; imperfection cannot negate what transcends. This story is an odyssey of spirit; identity; and unity. G-d provides the guideposts. They are revealed to a soul who seeks them. Don't miss this beautifully written and spiritually nourishing memoir.
