SHALOM YORAN
Birth: June 29, 1925 - Warsaw, Poland
Survived: Partisan
Date of Arrival in United States: September 1979
Military Service: Israeli Air Force, 1948-1954
Occupation: Senior Vice President Israel Aircraft Industry,
President Bedek Division
Avocation: Writer and Eyewitness
Testimony on Holocaust
Personal: Married, two daughters, one grandchild
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SHALOM YORAN
by Stephanie Butnick
Great Neck North High School
We often look to the past to gain greater insight into the present and future. In today’s world, where conflict plagues the international community, it is helpful to seek inspiration and courage from previous events. Heroic stories from different times provide a blueprint by which we should all live our lives. An extraordinary example of heroism at its greatest is undoubtedly the partisans during the Shoah. These partisan fighters risked their lives time and again to fight the Nazis, an oppressive force by which they were vastly outnumbered. Life as a partisan was very difficult. Sleeping in “zemliankas” (underground shelters) in the forest, and by stealing food and arms from local farmers and merchants was how they kept themselves alive. The stories told by former Jewish partisans are those of valor and pride for their religious heritage.
Shalom Yoran, now a successful international businessman was once a vital member of a partisan group. In l939, when the Germans began occupying Poland, Shalom and his family began fleeing extermination; a journey that would last for several years. With the death of his parents in 1942, Shalom, formerly known as Selim, decided that he needed to fight back in any way he was able to. He escaped into the woods and joined a partisan group. Selim, while fighting in this partisan group, had to maneuver his way around the forest, and steal enough to live on. What was especially interesting to me was when Selim creatively carved a piece of wood to resemble a gun before entering a farmer’s house. “I cut off the tops of my boots and sewed them into a holster. It took me a whole day to do it. Shaping a piece of wood to look like a Soviet Nagan revolver, which had a wooden handgrip, I stuffed it into the holster. It looked like an authentic revolver when I attached it to my belt. I then shared my plan with the others. We would no longer beg for food. We would demand it!” Often posing as other groups or armies, his partisan group acquired weapons, clothing and food.
After years of fighting in partisan groups, as well as in the Soviet & Polish armies, Selim entered Palestine illegally. He decided to follow his mother’s last request; to avenge his parents’ deaths and let the world know about them. He changed his name to Shalom and told his story to the world by writing his memoir, The Defiant, one of the many ways in which he has helped the world to always remember the Shoah.
Meeting Shalom Yoran was a life-changing experience for me. The knowledge he instilled within me will undeniably remain an important part of my life. Never before had I been granted the opportunity to learn so vividly of heroism within the Jewish community. Shalom’s stories were indeed an inspiration for he was just about my age when his experience began. My first reaction to all that he had done at so young an age was shock. I don’t think I could ever be able to stand up for my beliefs so valiantly as he had. Shalom was so mature and advanced for his age that he was able to accomplish what most young adults wouldn’t dare try. After sitting with him I began to understand how he felt throughout the war. I began contemplating my own life’s worth. I was not someone whose life story would be worthy of reading. Once this wave of emotion settled, I realized that there was greater purpose to Shalom’s teaching than to mitigate the significance of other people’s lives. I understood that what he wanted to do was inspire the future generation to stand up in the face of oppression.
Shalom told me that he did not want to be pitied. Neither do I. I want to emulate Shalom’s heroism. His experiences helped me achieve a level of clarity as to what my purpose in life is. As a “third generation” survivor of the Shoah, I have undertaken the responsibility bestowed upon me by my family to continue educating people about the Shoah. This is my own personal way to be a hero: to ensure that the Holocaust will always be remembered. Meeting Shalom Yoran enabled me to understand not only life, but also the true meaning of heroism; standing up to the enemy, knowing that your resources are few, your very life is at stake, and that there are very few chances for survival. Shalom is a true role model; an incredible man to whom every human being should aspire. He has taught the world so much while asking for so little in return. He has changed the lives of many people worldwide, and in doing so has earned the respect of millions.
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