The Holocaust, a dark and incomprehensible period in human history, left deep scars on the soul of the Jewish people. The stories of the survivors, those who endured the inferno, are a living testimony to evil, suffering, and loss, but also to extraordinary human heroism. Often, the prevailing image of the Holocaust survivor in popular culture tends to present a broken, victimized figure, or even a collaborator – an image ingrained, in part, through the stories of the Kapos. However, there exists another perspective, important and inspiring, which views Holocaust survivors as superheroes – men and women who displayed resourcefulness, courage, extraordinary physical and mental strength, and refused to surrender to the Nazi extermination machine.
Holocaust survivors demonstrated heroism in an impossible reality. Among others, the story of Golda Zandman, appearing in the book "Golda, Heroine of the Holocaust," presents a vivid example of a Holocaust survivor as a superhero. "If necessary, be strong as iron. If necessary, be soft as butter" – these words, which accompany Golda, summarize the mental flexibility and adaptive ability required for survival under extreme conditions. Golda, a vibrant young Jewish girl, is drawn from her warm home into the cruel reality of labor and concentration camps. But she refuses to be a passive victim. She demonstrates resourcefulness as a shrewd trader and a daring smuggler, outsmarts the authorities, forges complex relationships, and faces death with open eyes. Her story is not merely a documentation of loss and destruction, but a story of determination, of a daily struggle for survival, and of the triumph of the human spirit. Her heroism lies not in supernatural powers, but in her inner strength, her courage, and her refusal to lose her human dignity even in the face of horror.
Interesting parallels can be found between the stories of Holocaust survivors and the narratives of superheroes familiar from the world of comics and cinema. Many superheroes, such as Spider-Man, Batman, or Magneto (himself a Holocaust survivor), cope with trauma, loss, and a hostile environment, developing exceptional abilities, physical and mental, to survive and protect others. They operate in complex urban spaces, demonstrating daring and adaptability.
Golda's story points to the importance of the sense of touch and the intense physical experience in the world of superheroes – they feel the world around them in an amplified way, through direct contact with the environment, with the blows and explosions. A certain analogy can be seen with the experience of the survivors, whose bodies and souls experienced the harsh physical reality of the camps – the hunger, the cold, the forced labor, the violence – in a direct and extreme manner. Physical and mental survival in the camps required a sharpening of the senses, constant vigilance, and a rapid response to dangers, similar to Spider-Man's "Spider-Sense" or Daredevil's abilities.
Throughout history, figures of heroes and myths have provided frameworks for coping with crises and changes. Figures like Samson the Hero, medieval knights, fighter pilots, or space pioneers served as focal points for admiration and imitation. Modern superheroes, whether in comics or cinema ("Star Wars," the Marvel Universe), fulfill this basic human need. They offer narratives of overcoming obstacles, the struggle between good and evil, and the defense of values.
In the context of the Holocaust, the image of the survivor as a superhero allows us to connect with the stories of survival not only through identification with the suffering but also through a deep appreciation for the mental and physical strength required to survive. It is a narrative that allows rising from the ashes, filling the void left by the Holocaust, and lighting a "memorial candle" composed of personal and collective stories of heroism. Instead of focusing only on the victim image or the complex questions of collaboration, viewing survivors as superheroes sheds new light on the boundaries of humanity, femininity, and heroism, offering an inspiring model of hope and resilience.
The stories of Holocaust survivors are much more than historical documentation of atrocities. They hold within them extraordinary tales of heroism, of ordinary people who became heroes against their will. Like the superheroes from the world of fantasy, they faced inconceivable evil, displayed resourcefulness and tremendous inner strength, and fought for their lives and their human dignity. Adopting the perspective that views survivors as superheroes does not diminish the severity of the suffering and loss, but rather empowers the human spirit, emphasizes the power of survival, and presents a model of heroism and revival for us and for future generations. Stories like that of Golda Zandman remind us of the human potential inherent within us, even in the darkest moments, and of the importance of memory as a shaping and strengthening force.
