Out the Depths, Israel Meir Lau
Out the Depths, Israel Meir Lau
1 Rating(s)
List: $29.98 | Sale: $20.99
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Out the Depths
The Story of a Child of Buchenwald Who Returned Home at Last

Author: Israel Meir Lau

Narrator: Steve Blane

Unabridged: 16 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 11/01/2011


Synopsis

Israel Meir Lau, one of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald, was just eight years old when the camp was liberated in 1945. Descended from a 1,000-year unbroken chain of rabbis, he grew up to become Chief Rabbi of Israel--and like many of the great rabbis, Lau is a master storyteller. Out of the Depths is his harrowing, miraculous, and inspiring account of life in one of the Nazis' deadliest concentration camps, and how he managed to survive against all possible odds.
Lau, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, also chronicles his life after the war, including his emigration to Mandate Palestine during a period that coincides with the development of the State of Israel. The story continues up through today, with that once-lost boy of eight now a brilliant, charismatic, and world-revered figure who has visited with Popes John Paul and Benedict; the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and countless global leaders including Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Tony Blair.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Judy on September 20, 2012

This is a poignant and beautifully written memoir by Israel Meir Lau, born into a family with a distinguished rabbinic history reaching back 38 generations. Lau was only 5 years old in 1942 when the Nazis blasted into his town in Poland. His father, the town's rabbi, was selected for public beating......more

Goodreads review by K on July 16, 2013

Not the type of book I'm usually drawn to, but I wanted a Tisha be-Av worthy book and this seemed like a good choice. Others spoke very highly of it, and I was in fact pretty riveted by the first 100 pages or so, which describe Rabbi Lau's experiences as a very small child protected by adults at Buc......more

Goodreads review by Ari on May 06, 2015

At times heart-wrenching and tear-jerking, always inspiring and life-affirming. Couldn't put it down. Read it in one sitting. It's a must read! One of the few books I immediately ordered after finishing my library copy.......more

Goodreads review by Jenn on November 26, 2011

I was privileged to receive this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. This book is a beautifully written, personal pilgrimage to Israel by the author. Israel Meir Lau was just a boy when he went to the concentration camps. Through it all he perseveres with help from his brother and vario......more

Goodreads review by Tova on September 01, 2014

My grandparents never talk about their Holocaust experiences, and I've always avoided reading Holocaust stories. But my book club is discussing this book at our next meeting, so while I was home between prayers on Rosh Hashanah, I tearfully devoured Rabbi Lau's memoir. Wow. It's incredible how a per......more