Hanna Temkin, nee Rabinowicz, was born into a traditional, working-class Jewish family in Lodz, Poland in 1921. In many ways her story is like that of others who lived through some of the most horrific episodes of the 20^th century, WW2, and the Holocaust. Yet, it is also quite unique in that she introduces the readers to the little known, particularly in the English language literature, wartime Soviet Union where she had to contend with dislocation, hunger, and entirely different social, linguistic, and political systems, starting at the tender age of 18. In the later part of the book, she describes returning to Poland, and then barely 20 years later undergoing another forced emigration this time going west.

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My Involuntary Journeys: A Memoir

Father seemed strangely agitated sending me off. “Go,” he said, “Hanele, go, it’s time!” He urged me as if he were glad to see me go; as
if he knew somehow that he was sending me off to live.

In –My Involuntary Journeys, Hanna Temkin shares her story for the first time, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of Jewish life and survival in Eastern Europe before, during, and after the Holocaust. Moreover, Hanna’s story is an inspiring tale of female empowerment and serves as a testament to her ability to overcome the worst odds.

The brutal reality of war became part of Hanna Rabinowicz’s life shortly after she turned eighteen. Within days, German troops had conquered her hometown of Lodz, and the situation of the local Jewish community deteriorated quickly. Hanna and her future husband, Gabriel Temkin, made the difficult decision to head East and flee into the Soviet occupation zone, which ultimately saved their lives. During the next six years, Hanna lived, worked, and eventually studied in the Soviet Union, while Gabriel served in the Red Army.

A year after the war, Hanna and Gabriel married and moved back to Poland. Most of their family members had been murdered or had succumbed to the brutal conditions under Nazi rule. Nevertheless, unlike other returnees, they opted to stay in Poland, where they adapted to the political conditions and started a family. Initially, their careers flourished. Two decades later, however, facing growing antisemitism, Hanna and Gabriel saw no other choice but to leave Poland again. Already in their late forties, they had to rebuild their lives once more, this time in the United States.

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