The Difference between Life and Death: Choices That Saved a Young Boy

From the moment he was born, Arye Ephrath was in danger. His mother gave birth to him with the help of a housemaid in spring 1942 while hiding during a roundup of Jews from their hometown in Slovakia. Later, a shepherd and his wife took in Arye on the condition they could disguise him as a girl so that he would blend in with their daughters. As we commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, learn how others took risks and sacrificed to help Arye survive the Holocaust.

[@robbo26ful]

Thank you from New Zealand. It is so important we never forget

[@gonefishing167]

What Marvellous people they all were. It does the heart and soul good to know there are/were decent people in the world. They didn’t have much themselves but they immediately helped their fellow man. How very, very sad - and hard - it must have been for them to give up 2 children they obviously loved as their own. No matter how much they longed for a son, they handed you back to your parents. What wonderful people they were. I have the deepest emotion ( respect is not a big enough word) for parents who handed over their children so they may have a chance of life. I heard one story of a young mother just throwing her tiny baby from a train just in the wild hope someone would take pity on a baby. We can’t imagine, in our placid lives, ever being in such a desperate plight. Let us pray for all those brave souls and hope nothing like this ever happens again. We must never forget and be forever vigilant. These testimonies are just so important. 🙏🙏🙏🙏👵👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@dianesantos7797]

I was moved to tears watching this. The priest and the other families were amazingly brave. You could feel the love between Arye and his "Slovak Family" through the screen. I am of Slovak Catholic heritage and it warms my heart to hear this story. I just looked up Catholic Churches in Sisov, Slovakia and I think there's only one. Kostol Povysenia Svateho Kriza (Church of the Elevated Cross) The photo on their website looks the one we just saw. I would hope they have records of the who the priest was at that time and what happened to him. Thank you for posting this story.

[@TheAnthoula14]

I have heard Arye's testimony before, but I had never seen the photo of his lovely mother. I'm so glad he was fortunate enough to have that photo, so many survivors tried to keep a photo of their families to no avail, it must mean everything to him.

[@Pinoyceylon]

WATCHING FROM SRI LANKA ... STAND WITH GOD CHOSEN PEOPLE

[@rlaw4742]

Helping fellow humans at the time of need is very inspiring. The priest and the Miernys and Galkos are saints.

[@milliemouse6525]

It is indeed heartwarming and wonderful to hear stories such as this. The people who helped are extraordinary but I bet if you asked them they probably would have replied, 'I am not a hero. It was just the right thing to do.' So many of them who took such risks were often surprised when others considered them heroic and in many ways they were right as we should never hesitate to do what we can to save someone's life.

[@DavidJones-oc3up]

I just saw this video, and I found it sad, but at the same time, very heart-warming. I was moved by the fact complete strangers aided Arye’s family, and wanted nothing for it. And they did it in spite of knowing Arye’s family was Jewish and the risks they were taking. Those kinds of stories restore a bit of my trust in mankind’s humanity.

[@susanhughes1687]

I have never posted a comment on any article. This is my 1st comment. Bless you, your parents, the Preist the Slovaks and every one who were subjected to such atrocities. I have prayed over and over that God has a very special place in Heaven for every person who died or survived the Holocaust. Blessings to all.

[@aandrews7106]

I have listened to this testimony more than once. Restores my faith in humankind.

[@jackies56tbird]

It warms my heart to know HOW many GENTILES agreed to hide Jews. God Bless them all

[@katierhodes2151]

Just heart wrenching. Breaks my entire heart when I hear stories like this but I do love hearing them.

[@Jillousa]

It was nice to hear a story of people being willing to risk their own life to help and to live out their religion in a powerful way.

[@danhicks2816]

Thank you for your story. How moving to know of the kindness and bravery of others during a time of such evil and danger.

[@mswakeprayslayjhodges5842]

So beautiful thank you

[@thereisagodforever2615]

So beautiful .Thank you so much Dr.Arye Ephrath. Love your story and family photo.Please take good care.❤️

[@m.blackkite]

Very touching story and very important to share this! When I visited your museum in D.C. a few years ago, I could go to one of your 'first witness talks'. During Corona I found your youtube channel. Thank you!

[@Fabby47]

Amazing stories of survival. I’m so happy for you sir. I’m watching from Ecuador. I’ve seen many testimonies from survivals from the cruelty of the Nazi regime.

[@lulycristina]

Such a beautiful story ❤️❤️

[@savanah1407]

Thank you for sharing

[@a.p.2019]

Thank you. To both forum and speaker... for the courage and determination to make sure these stories are heard. I am truly blessed to have visited Yad Vashem - an experience that made me realize not just how little I could ever hope to appreciate the horror fellow human beings have lived through, but how grateful I should be for that ignorance. I remain terrified of what happens when the humans who can truly tell these stories are gone. And I am ever the more thankful for your efforts to keep those flames alive.

[@a.p.2019]

And I wish I had said... not just horror itself. But the courage and strength we might find when faced with impossible odds. "The only time we can be brave is when we're afraid, Bran." Ned, 'A Game of Thrones'

[@lzrd8460]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@ksuefremova3775]

Thank you for your streams .I adore them. Hello from Belarus🤗🇧🇾 and a special hug for Edna Friedberg ,cause u a doin a great job for our future generation🙂

[@filmsbynix]

Incredible story. Watched from South Africa

[@anasol8115]

Muchas gracias , Arye,por contarnos tu historia! Eres una persona maravillosa. Saludos desde Argentina

[@margreteglaser3273]

Thank you for a very touching story !

[@cristinaalvarezarena5202]

Pavela was a true follower of Jesus that's why her actions were so noble

[@jackies56tbird]

The humiliation of Jews is so sad and horrible, I have read thing that would make you lay awake at night to keep from dreaming

[@neilhaas6024]

Greetings from Canada. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@jackies56tbird]

I was saddened to hear Arye Ephrath speak of his diseased son. What happened to him?

[@aryeephrath6905]

My son Mickey, a talented, smart and handsome boy with a potentially glorious future, died at 21 of a drug overdose. Just the contrast between what some folks would do to save a life and how easily some others would throw theirs away breaks my heart.

[@lzrd8460]

@@aryeephrath6905 I am so deeply sorry for your lose. 🙏🙏🙏

[@wlouise1960]

Watching from Indianapolis! In.

[@katiejanelong5884]

Bless you, from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

[@mazzS]

Thankyou for your story. 🇦🇺 Australia

[@gonefishing167]

I’m a bit late but I’m from Australia 🇦🇺

[@neilhaas6024]

All of humanity humankind

[@PauloFerreira-wp2it]

Greetings from Brazil 🌈 🔆 🎊 🌈

[@thebionicwoman1762]

Please remember the 1/2 a million Gypsies, Roma & Travellers who were also murdered during the Nazi Holocaust. (Also disabled people, homosexuals & Dissidents). ThanQ

[@tandiparent1906]

🥺❣️🥺I totally agree with you.... Blessings from Oklahoma, USA

[@Jillousa]

Wow.that was some original hiding.

[@chineainguanzo6341]

It's all monstrous what these Nazis were doing to families ,babies , grandfather's..I refuse to forgive these criminals.racism has no cure.

[@annebilling1919]

Greetings from England

[@kareemkalisari]

Thanks for your role to make the world we seek!. the Day: Remembering of the HOLOCAUST '' The 🌍Holocaust darkened the world's view of humanity and our future🌏. As the world struggled to understand what had happened. a new world🌎, genocide, was needed for these crimes -- crimes committed by ordinary people from a society not unlike our own. -- BLESSED 🌏FRIDAY! -- - ‟ Our freedom will remain incomplete without the freedom of Palestine🌏 .‟ By. # 🌍Nelson Mandela Thank you. And May God's peace 🌏🌍🌎 be upon you all! God bless us everyone! # I Thank you! 🌏 ...

[@kareemkalisari]

Data Fakta√ Thanks for your role to make the world we seek!. the Day: Remembering of the HOLOCAUST '' The 🌍Holocaust darkened the world's view of humanity and our future🌏. As the world struggled to understand what had happened. a new world🌎, genocide, was needed for these crimes -- crimes committed by ordinary people from a society not unlike our own. -- BLESSED 🌏FRIDAY! -- - ‟ Our freedom will remain incomplete without the freedom of Palestine🌏 .‟ By. # 🌍Nelson Mandela Thank you. And May God's peace 🌏🌍🌎 be upon you all! God bless us everyone! # I Thank you! 🌏 ...

[@Keviin1977]

Palistine

[@primoz.benedicto3572]

Orrrraa oppppoo opppppo ikkki sakarepmu kuy

[@mira2987]

When is Palestine freedom day?