Manfred lewin

I wanted to get this one just right, the story of Gad Beck and Manfred Lewin is one of love, bravery, and heartbreaking tragedy. These two Jewish teenagers fell in love in Berlin during one of the darkest times in human history.

Both were part of the He-Chalutz youth group, spending time together on activities and acting in a play together. Gad later wrote about Manfred:

"He stuttered a little when he read and didn’t seem very sure of himself as an actor. He was medium height, strong, and athletic, with soft brownish eyes and brown wavy hair that was sometimes messy in a cute way… kissing was especially important to him."

During their time together, Manfred created a small book for Gad, filling it with memories, drawings, and reflections on their relationship amid the growing horrors around them. Gad cherished it for the rest of his life, eventually donating it to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The book ended with the touching line:

"Should we be torn apart someday, we could still count on our love and would always hear each other’s call for help."

Eventually the moment came that changed everything. One day, when Gad arrived to pick up Manfred for a date, he discovered that Manfred and his family had been captured by the Nazis and placed in a holding camp before deportation. Desperate, Gad took a risk that few would dare. Disguising himself in a borrowed and ill-fitting Hitler Youth uniform, he marched into the camp and demanded to see the nazi commander. He fabricated a convincing story, and miraculously, Manfred was released to him.

But once free, Manfred made an impossible decision. Though Gad urged him to escape to a safe house and gave him money, Manfred couldn't bear to abandon his four siblings and parents. He returned to the camp.

It’s agonizing to imagine this moment, the voice inside screaming, run away with your boyfriend! But for young Manfred, he had to stay and help his ailing family members. 

Not long after, at just 19 years old, Manfred and his entire family were gassed to death at Auschwitz.