Fifteen years ago, I began work on my second novel which was published in 2010 as The Hamsa. I still refer to it as ‘my holocaust story’ although it covers 26 years from 1918 to 1944 and the protagonist is a Polish gentile, Bronisław Czech, the 349th person incarcerated in Auschwitz.
I pride myself in my research and can say that I did more research for The Hamsa than any of my other books, and each is well-researched.
During the two years I invested in writing the novel, I came upon a German film Spielzeugland – translated Toyland – that won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. It is 14 minutes long.
Recent current events inspire me to watch the film again. It still retains its power. It is a story of strength, courage, friendship, and love that knows no borders. I watched Toyland today and prayed that each of us could be like the mother.
I invite you to watch Spielzeugland and be inspired to do good things for all mankind regardless of political or spiritual identification.
Very moving and somber film. I don’t understand man’s inhumanity to man. October 7 was a terrible day. Is God in control? It is easy to doubt. I loved the book Hamsa.