The Keeper of Miracles by Phillip Maisel
The memoir of a Holocaust survivor keeping alive the stories of his generation. For more than 30 years, Phillip Maisel has worked selflessly to record the harrowing stories of Holocaust survivors. Volunteering at Melbourne's Jewish Holocaust Centre, Phillip has listened tirelessly to their memories, preserved their voices and proven, time and time again, just how healing storytelling can be. Each testimony of survival is a miracle in itself - earning Phillip the nickname the Keeper of Miracles. But, for Phillip, confronting and overcoming trauma is also personal. A Holocaust survivor himself, he, too, has unthinkable stories of triumph and tragedy, cruelty and hope. Published as Phillip turns 99, this deeply moving, healing and inspiring memoir shows us the cathartic power of storytelling and reminds us never to underestimate the impact of human kindness. 'This is my responsibility and my privilege: to be custodian of their memories, to be able to pass their stories on to the next generation - for me, this will be the greatest miracle of all.' About the Author Phillip Maisel OAM and his twin sister Bella Hirshorn AM were born in August 1922, in Vilna, Lithuania. Growing up, they were inseparable. When the Germans arrived in Vilna in 1941, their lives changed dramatically. Phillip survived two years in a squalid, overcrowded Jewish ghetto, before enduring multiple Nazi labour and concentration camps. He and Bella were both in Stutthof Concentration Camp at the same time, but never knew the other was there. Phillip was liberated in 1945 while on a Death March. He discovered where Bella was and rode a motorcycle 250km to reach her. They moved to Australia in 1949. Since 1989, Phillip has been Head of the Jewish Holocaust Centre's Video Testimonies Department in Melbourne. For over 30 years, Phillip has worked at Melbourne's Jewish Holocaust Centre, recording on video 1400 testimonies of other survivors and their descendants - each story of survival a miracle in its own right - earning Phillip the nickname 'The Keeper of Miracles'. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Prologue MY NAME IS PHILLIP MAISEL. FOR THE PAST thirty years, on most days of the week, I have travelled from my home to a humble museum nestled in the suburbs of Melbourne. There, in a studio, I set up my video camera and bear witness while Holocaust survivors speak about the worst days of their lives, the darkest days of the 20th century. I record these stories for posterity. For the benefit of history. To remember the victims of the Shoah, and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I do so that others have the chance to listen to another person's story, see the world the way they do, walk for a while in their shoes. I do this because I understand how important it is to record, for all time, what was done to innocent people in the name of a cruel ideology. To remind the world to bevigilant against bigotry and fear. So that we never forget, and it may never happen again. I do this to educate, to give people the tools they need to walk away from hatred. I do this because I am a survivor who saw my city, my culture and my people brought to the brink of annihilation. My own story is just one of millions, but I hope that it reveals something of our shared experience. This is what stories are for--to record, for history and for all that we lost, our humanity. To understand other humans more completely. This is why we tell stories. This is why, dear reader, I will tell you mine.
Publication Details
Title:
Author(s):
Illustrator:
Binding: Hardcover
Published by: Macmillan Australia: , 2021
Edition:
ISBN: 9781760985318 | 1760985317
224 pages.
Book Condition: Very Good
Pickup available at Book Express Warehouse
Usually ready in 4 hours
Product information
Â
New Zealand Delivery
Shipping Options
Shipping options are shown at checkout and will vary depending on the delivery address and weight of the books.
We endeavour to ship the following day after your order is made and to have pick up orders available the same day. We ship Monday-Friday. Any orders made on a Friday afternoon will be sent the following Monday. We are unable to deliver on Saturday and Sunday.
Pick Up is Available in NZ:
Warehouse Pick Up Hours
- Monday - Friday: 9am-5pm
- 35 Nathan Terrace, Shannon NZ
Please make sure we have confirmed your order is ready for pickup and bring your confirmation email with you.
Rates
-
New Zealand Standard Shipping - $6.00
- New Zealand Standard Rural Shipping - $10.00
- Free Nationwide Standard Shipping on all Orders $75+
Please allow up to 5 working days for your order to arrive within New Zealand before contacting us about a late delivery. We use NZ Post and the tracking details will be emailed to you as soon as they become available. There may be some courier delays that are out of our control.Â
International Delivery
We currently ship to Australia and a range of international locations including: Belgium, Canada, China, Switzerland, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, United States, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Philippines, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden & Singapore. If your country is not listed, we may not be able to ship to you, or may only offer a quoting shipping option, please contact us if you are unsure.
International orders normally arrive within 2-4 weeks of shipping. Please note that these orders need to pass through the customs office in your country before it will be released for final delivery, which can occasionally cause additional delays. Once an order leaves our warehouse, carrier shipping delays may occur due to factors outside our control. We, unfortunately, can’t control how quickly an order arrives once it has left our warehouse. Contacting the carrier is the best way to get more insight into your package’s location and estimated delivery date.
- Global Standard 1 Book Rate: $37 + $10 for every extra book up to 20kg
- Australia Standard 1 Book Rate: $14 + $4 for every extra book
Any parcels with a combined weight of over 20kg will not process automatically on the website and you will need to contact us for a quote.
Payment Options
On checkout you can either opt to pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express), Google Pay, Apple Pay, Shop Pay & Union Pay. Paypal, Afterpay and Bank Deposit.
Transactions are processed immediately and in most cases your order will be shipped the next working day. We do not deliver weekends sorry.
If you do need to contact us about an order please do so here.
You can also check your order by logging in.
Contact Details
- Trade Name: Book Express Ltd
- Phone Number: (+64) 22 852 6879
- Email: sales@bookexpress.co.nz
- Address: 35 Nathan Terrace, Shannon, 4821, New Zealand.
- GST Number: 103320957 - We are registered for GST in New Zealand
- NZBN:Â 9429031911290
Â
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unread.Â
To start a return, you can contact us at sales@bookexpress.co.nz. Please note that returns will need to be sent to the following address: 35 Nathan Terrace, Shannon, New Zealand 4821.Â
If your return is for a quality or incorrect item, the cost of return will be on us, and will refund your cost. If it is for a change of mind, the return will be at your cost.Â
You can always contact us for any return question at sales@bookexpress.co.nz.
Â
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Â
Exceptions / non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food, flowers, or plants), custom products (such as special orders or personalised items), and personal care goods (such as beauty products). Although we don't currently sell anything like this. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.Â
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on gift cards.
Â
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.
Â
European Union 14 day cooling off period
Notwithstanding the above, if the merchandise is being shipped into the European Union, you have the right to cancel or return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification. As above, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
Â
Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at sales@bookexpress.co.nz.
Â