← Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Life Lessons From A Holocaust Survivor: Hannah Pick-Goslar (Anne Frank’s Best Friend) #378

Jul 11, 2023 1h 45m 36 insights
For thousands of years, humans have used storytelling to enhance and change lives. From prehistoric fireside stories, to songs, novels, films, even social media reels, we are hardwired to seek identification and knowledge through hearing about other people’s experiences.   Some of my most popular podcast episodes to date have featured guests who do just this – relating their extraordinary life experience to fascinate, move and benefit all of those who hear it.  And I’m honoured to add today’s guests to that list.   Ruthie Meir is the daughter of the late Holocaust survivor Hannah Pick-Goslar. Dina Kraft is Hannah’s co-writer who helped bring her incredible story to life, in the brand-new book My Friend Anne Frank. Together Ruthie and Dina bring authenticity and emotional resonance to a real-life story, that will change the hearts and minds, of all who hear it.   If you are familiar with the famous ‘Diary of Anne Frank’, Hannah appeared in it as ‘Lies Goosens’.  As Ruthie and Dina explain to me, Hannah was born to Jewish parents in Berlin in 1928. After the Nazi Party was elected in 1933, the family escaped to what they believed was the safety of Amsterdam. And it was here that she met her friend, Anne Frank. The two became inseparable – until one day Anne just disappeared. Then in 1943, Hannah’s family was arrested and transported to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and somehow Hannah managed to survive, until the camp was finally liberated.    It would have been lovely to talk to Hannah herself about her story, but she actually died back in October 2022 just a few weeks shy of her 94th birthday.   This is without question, a horrifying, unimaginable, and crushing story but at the same time, within it, there are definite moments of beauty, compassion and humanity.   It really was a great privilege to talk to Ruthie and Dina about Hannah and her life. I hope you enjoy listening. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com. Thanks to our
Actionable Insights

1. Recognize Inherent Human Worth

Acknowledge that all people are created in the image of God, possessing inherent worth, and speak out when others are not treated with this fundamental respect.

2. Live a Life of Goodness

Strive to be a good human being by consistently doing good for others, as this philosophy can fill your life with purpose and lead to happiness.

3. Teach Universal Respect

Prioritize teaching children and practicing yourself the principle of treating every single person with respect, regardless of who they are, as the most important lesson.

4. Reflect on Personal Impact

Regularly reflect on your own actions, words, and language to ensure you are not contributing to bigotry, hatred, or prejudice, and actively strive to make the world a better place.

5. Practice Kindness Locally

Actively embody kindness, compassion, and equal treatment for everyone within your own community and daily interactions to foster a better world.

6. Protest Against Injustice

Do not remain silent or inactive when a fanatic minority gains control and reason is abandoned; instead, protest and speak out, even if inconvenient, to prevent terrible outcomes.

7. Choose Words Carefully & Speak Out

Recognize that words have immense power and can be deadly, so choose them carefully, and understand that silence in the face of injustice can be equally destructive.

8. Find Purpose Beyond Self

Identify a purpose or someone to care for beyond yourself, as this can provide the motivation and meaning needed to persevere through the darkest and most challenging times.

9. Practice Selfless Kindness

Be kind and share with others, even when you have little, because acts of kindness can foster solidarity and may lead to reciprocal support when you are in need.

10. Maintain Humanity Amidst Barbarity

Strive to retain kindness and humanity even in the most barbaric and dehumanizing circumstances, as these qualities can help people stay together and survive.

11. Prioritize Family Connections

Foster strong, close relationships with your family members across generations, as a loving and bustling family can be a source of great joy, support, and a way to thrive.

12. Build Strong Social Support

Cultivate strong connections and a sense of family or community, as having social support provides strength and increases chances of survival during difficult times.

13. Take Ownership of Health

Recognize that you are the architect of your own health and commit to making lifestyle changes, as feeling better leads to living more fully.

14. Be Vigilant for Rapid Change

Remain vigilant and aware that societal conditions can change very quickly, emphasizing the continuous need to be good to each other and prevent regression.

15. Be Vigilant About Dangerous Rhetoric

Pay close attention to and be wary of language that promotes hatred, division, or threats of extermination, as such rhetoric can be a precursor to terrible events.

16. Cultivate Gratitude for Life

Engage with profound stories that highlight human suffering and resilience to foster greater gratitude for your own life and a changed perspective on the world.

17. Volunteer for Well-being

Engage in volunteering or acts of service for others, as contributing to your community and feeling needed can be profoundly powerful for your inner well-being and can help overcome challenges like depression.

18. Maintain Function Amidst Grief

When faced with sudden tragedy or chaos, focus on practical tasks and what needs to be done, maintaining functionality and responsibility despite personal grief or overwhelming circumstances.

19. Stay Focused on Tasks

During times of chaos and overwhelming stress, practice keeping focused on the immediate tasks at hand to maintain control and progress.

20. Use Imagination for Coping

Employ imagination to escape mentally from difficult realities, allowing you to find moments of normalcy and maintain hope, which can be crucial for survival and well-being.

21. Read Survivor Stories

Read books like ‘My Friend, Anne Frank’ to understand the full horrors of historical events like the Holocaust and to learn from survivor experiences.

22. Share Your Story to Educate

If you have a profound experience, consider sharing your story to educate others, even if it’s difficult or goes against societal norms, to prevent similar tragedies.

23. Build a Legacy of Life

Focus on building a large, loving family and a positive legacy, as it can be a powerful act of defiance and hope against past atrocities.

24. Stay Informed and Curious

Maintain a keen interest in world events and current affairs, fostering curiosity and awareness of global injustices, as Hannah did throughout her life.

25. Appreciate Small Joys

Cultivate a heightened appreciation and awareness for small, everyday pleasures and acts of kindness, as this can bring joy and contentment.

26. Engage with Storytelling

Use storytelling, through various mediums like podcasts, novels, or films, to gain knowledge and identification through other people’s experiences, which can enhance and change your life.

27. Adapt to Changing Circumstances

Cultivate an optimistic and adaptable mindset when faced with escalating restrictions or challenges, finding alternative ways to continue daily activities rather than succumbing to despair.

28. Maintain Cultural Connections

If you are a refugee or immigrant, connect with others from your culture and continue traditions to maintain a sense of connection to your heritage.

29. Engage in Intergenerational Support

Seek opportunities to help others, especially across generations, as it provides hope, a sense of significance, and combats feelings of uselessness.

30. Avoid Food Waste

Cultivate an appreciation for food and avoid wasting it, remembering the scarcity experienced by others and the value of every meal.

31. Finish Your Food

Make an effort to finish all the food on your plate, as a practice of not wasting food, influenced by experiences of scarcity.

32. Maintain Cleanliness and Order

Strive to maintain cleanliness and order in your environment, as it can be a way to counteract past experiences of filth and chaos, contributing to a sense of control and well-being.

33. Supplement with AG1 for Gut Health

Consider taking AG1 daily to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria and plant-based compounds, as it’s updated with evolving scientific research.

34. Subscribe to Friday Five

Sign up for the ‘Friday Five’ weekly email to receive five simple ideas for improving health and happiness, including exclusive insights, health advice, time management tips, and reflective content.

35. Read Dr. Chatterjee’s Books

Explore Dr. Chatterjee’s five bestselling books on topics like happiness, food, stress, and behavior change to gain insights for improving your health and life.

36. Share and Review Podcast

If you enjoyed the podcast, take a moment to share it with friends and family or leave a review on Apple Podcasts to support the show.