They Survived the Holocaust, Came Here With Nothing…and Prospered

I always wondered, why so many of our fathers and grandfathers who were holocaust survivors that came to the United States with nothing – no money, family, or happy memories – and nevertheless succeeded in business. It is hard to find such levels of success among the younger generations. Why were they so successful?

It’s easy to explain away this phenomenon on extraordinary siyata dishamaya (divine intervention) for those that survived the holocaust. But siyata dishmaya is only a good explanation for a particular individual’s success. But how do explain the fact that so many of them were inordinately successful – while the odds were clearly not in their favor? (No connections, anti semitism, immigrants, language barrier, unfamiliar culture, etc.)

I believe the reason for their success is because they simply had no safety net to fall back upon. There was no choice – either succeed…or go hungry. If they wouldn’t have been successful in business, there was such thing as family to to bail them out or Tomchei Shabbos to deliver meals to their door. There was no food stamps or HUD, no school vouchers or Gemachs to fall back upon. There was only one clearly marked path for them in life – work hard, build a successful business, and have food to eat. There was no other choice, and so they did what they had to. Success came at a price, but it was a far better choice than the alternative.

Today we are faced with many choices – choices that cause many of us to lose our way from succeeding in life. Should I learn in kollel for years on end, or go to work as soon as possible? How about getting a degree in (fill in the desired career path here)? Or perhaps I can join the family business? Should I continue being supported by my parents while I “get started” in business? What about government programs – if I go to work don’t I lose my eligibility?

These “decisions” make it that it becomes difficult from just doing what it takes to succeed. Our fathers and grandfathers didn’t have all these options, and thus success came naturally. Therefore, our job is to see beyond the confusing array of choices we face – and do what it takes to ultimately be successful in life.

They Survived the Holocaust, Came Here With Nothing…and Prospered

Filed Under: Inspiration

Tags: financial success • gemach • kollel learning • tomchei shabbos