Solomon Peril: The Unbelievable Story of a Jewish Member of the Hitler Youth

1️⃣Solomon Peril's journey from a small town in Germany to becoming a member of the Hitler Youth is a profound testament to his determination and resilience.

2️⃣His ability to hide his Jewish heritage and navigate through dangerous situations showcases his remarkable courage and quick thinking.

3️⃣Solomon's friendship with the medical officer, Heinz Kelzenberg, who kept his secret, is a powerful example of kindness and compassion in the midst of war.

4️⃣His experiences in the Hitler Youth and the indoctrination he endured highlight the disturbing propaganda and manipulation used by the Nazi regime.

5️⃣From surviving the Siege of Leningrad to being captured by the Americans, Solomon Peril's story is a testament to the complexities and contradictions of war.

What motivated Solomon Peril to join the German Army and later the Hitler Youth?

—Solomon joined the German Army and later the Hitler Youth as a means to escape persecution and to avoid the ghettos and ethnic cleansing enforced by the Nazi regime.

How did Solomon manage to hide his Jewish heritage?

—Solomon hid his Jewish heritage by grinding the evidence of his circumcision into the ground, claiming to be an ethnic German who had lost his papers.

Did Solomon ever reconnect with his family after the war?

—Solomon discovered that his brother Isaac and his wife were alive and living in Munich, and his other brother David had escaped to Palestine. Unfortunately, his parents and sister did not survive the Holocaust.

What impact did Solomon's experiences in the Hitler Youth have on him?

—Solomon's experiences in the Hitler Youth exposed him to indoctrination and propaganda that portrayed the superiority of the Aryan German. It shaped his understanding of the complexities and contradictions of war.

How did Solomon Peril's story gain recognition?

—Solomon Peril published his autobiography, detailing his unique experiences, which was later adapted into the acclaimed motion picture 'Europa Europa.' His story has since become widely known.

00:00Solomon Peril, a Jewish boy growing up during Hitler's rise to power

04:59Solomon and Isaac's decision to escape to the Soviet Polish border

08:40Solomon's time at the SS Rand boarding school in Brunswick

18:00Solomon's experiences in the Hitler Youth and the indoctrination he endured

27:35Solomon's encounter with Heinz Kelzenberg and their friendship

43:20Solomon's involvement in World War II and the Siege of Leningrad

57:10Solomon's capture by the Americans and his liberation

01:07:30Solomon's search for his family and his reunion with his surviving brothers