By Amanda Estes

Staff Writer

Judy Faust pledged to preserve her mother’s memories in a book. Then a
letter that would change both of their lives arrived in the mail.

From her stories, Judy Faust knew her mother, Trudy Faust, had fled her
home in Wiener Neustadt in Nazi-occupied Austria. For six months, Trudy
Faust (then Trudy Duhl), and her father stood in line, waiting for exit
visas, but because Julius Duhl was born in Poland, his request was
denied. Trudy Faust was able to secure passage on a ship departing
Holland and she arrived in New York City in December 1938. She tried to
finance her father’s escape by sending money to bribe German officials,
but it was too late. In July 1942, Julius Duhl was sent to Maly
Trostinets, a concentration camp east of Minsk, where he died.

Judy Faust, who lives in South Portland, said for many years her mother
seemed to suffer from a form of survivor’s guilt. A book – still
undergoing finishing touches – relaying her mother and grandfather’s
story, “Waltzing with Papa: Three Generations to Healing,” tells of
Trudy Faust’s sorrow at receiving her father’s desperate letters and
the then 18-year-old’s heroic efforts to save him.

With the unexpected arrival of a letter from the Ichthys Church,
located in Wiener Neustadt, Faust said she was able to witness part of
her mother’s healing, more than 50 years after Julius Duhl’s death.

Sitting amidst the video production equipment at the South Portland
Community Television (SPC-TV) studio in city hall, Judy Faust said she
is making a film to document the week in October 1995 when her mother
and other Holocaust survivors from Israel and around the United States
returned to their hometown for a week of reconciliation. When finished,
“Angels in Austria: The Church Who Reached Out to Holocaust Survivors,”
will tell the story of the non-denominational Ichthys Church, led by
Pastor Helmuth Eiwen and his wife Uli Eiwen, who contacted the
survivors to ask for forgiveness.

“They were very serious about taking on the responsibility of turning
around 800 years of anti-Semitism in their town,” said Judy Faust of
the church’s members.

Although it wasn’t her first return visit to Austria, Judy Faust said
her mother was hesitant and skeptical about the strangers who were
reaching out to her. As they met the members of the church and had
dinner in their homes, however, her mother was “very touched and open
to the friendship these Christians offered,” Judy Faust said.

“[Uli Eiwen] was very important because she had visions that led to the creation of the church,” Judy Faust said.

Knowing it was her calling to serve the Jewish people, Uli Eiwen
traveled to Israel, Judy Faust said. While kneeling in prayer in a
Lutheran church, where Helmuth Eiwen was the pastor, Uli Eiwen had a
violent vision. Judy Faust said Uli Eiwen saw the image of a swastika,
dripping in blood, on the tile floor. The husband and wife later
discovered some top officials in the church had actually embraced
Hitler’s regime during the war. Helmuth Eiwen left the church and he
and Uli Eiwen went on to found their own church with others who felt
they couldn’t worship God without seeking forgiveness from the Jewish
people, Judy Faust said.

“Not everybody was happy to see us back,” Judy Faust said, noting the
group traveled with bodyguards. “But basically this was a time for
friendship and love to flourish.”

The group visited synagogues, Jewish cemeteries and attended a banquet,
hosted by the mayor, in the house of parliament. The group of survivors
was also invited to speak to Austrian middle and high school students,
who were “practically falling off of their seats” as they listened to
the stories, Judy Faust said. As of 1995, Austrian students learned
very little about the Holocaust, she said. The group’s desire to share
personal stories with the students was even met with some opposition,
Judy Faust said.  

When her mother told the story of being separated from her father, a
female student began crying and ran into the bathroom, Judy Faust said.
To the student, Trudy Faust said, “I want to thank you for your tears.”
Although, Judy Faust couldn’t understand the words they spoke in
German, she said it was an experience that would become a “big chunk of
her [mother’s] healing.”

 Judy Faust said she realized in situations with victims and
oppressors, the effects of the oppressor’s actions will be felt by
their next generation for years to come. With her work, Judy Faust said
she wants to explore the “ups and downs of finding forgiveness” – what
does forgiveness entail and should one forgive?

 “Whatever you do affects others so think about what you’re doing and make it good,” Judy Faust said.

Once a “freelance” teacher specializing in art instruction for
children, adults and seniors and now a budding videographer, Judy Faust
has started a business called, “What’s Your Story?: Connecting History
to Family Stories and the Arts.” Through outreach to schools, churches
and synagogues, Judy Faust helps students connect their families’
stories to the arts and the lessons they learn in the classroom. While
the business is still in its infancy, Judy Faust said she hopes to use
her film to spark group discussions. In her work with schools, she said
she would like to speak with students at the conclusion of their
teachers’ lessons about the Holocaust because she wants to leave young
people with a message of hope.

Judy Faust sang the praises of Moe Amaral and Tony Vigue of SPC-TV, who
are helping her produce the film, which will air on Channel 2. She also
plans to take the film on the road to libraries, schools, churches and
synagogues.

“I’m carrying the torch for this generation,” she said. “They’re not going to be around much longer.”

Judy Faust said her mother, in her “youthful” 80s, is currently living in Florida.

She said her mother is delighted and grateful for her efforts to
preserve her history and is happy to help with revisions as needed.

For more information about Judy Faust and “What’s Your Story?” visit www.connectyourstories.com or call 799-4715.