In May 2019 Sophie was selected to be the survivor to speak at the FIDF (Friends of Israel Defense Forces) in Poland and Israel. She spoke at the Auschwitz Memorial and was escorted into the site of the former camp with 50 Israeli soldiers. She shared her story of being imprisoned in the Litzmannstadt ghetto, Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen and Salzwedel. She talked about the loss of most of her family, the starvation, disease, exhaustion and yet still having hope! This was such an honor to be selected. Her daughter in law, Anne Klisman accompanied her to Krakow, Auschwitz and then to Jerusalem in May 2019.
She went from the darkest period of her life, in occupied Poland, to the light in arriving to Israel. She celebrated the Holocaust Memorial Day at the Auschwitz Memorial and then celebrated Independence Day in Israel. In Jerusalem she danced with the Israeli soldiers, and they helped her to celebrate her life. Major General Klifi, from the FIDF, called her a hero. This mission helped her feel safe and experience closure from the war. The soldiers stated Sophie impacted their lives. They now have a clearer picture of why they need to fight for their country. They know what can happen when Jews don’t have a state of their own.
Upon her arrival back in Michigan, an Army Veteran, who served in the 84th infantry, read Sophie’s article in the Detroit News and contacted her. He stated he was one of the liberators of Salzwedel. They reunited for the first time since the liberation of Salzwedel camp in 1945. Doug Harvey, 95 years old, was one of the brave liberators who is still alive. He is an active, intelligent and independent man who helped to free 3,000 prisoners of war. He is a very humble and modest man. Sophie, a youthful 89-year-old, stated: “You gave me my life back. I can never thank you enough.” Sophie tells “It was like watching angels jump off the trucks and tanks when they came to open the gates of Salzwedel.” They hugged and embraced during this sentimental meeting. It was captured by the national and local news and several newspapers, as well as radio stations. View her story on the National Fox News with Martha MacCallum.
Sophie’s daughter, Lori Ellis wrote a book on her family’s life called: 4,456 Miles: A Survivors Search for Closure- A Daughter’s Search for Understanding the Holocaust. This book will be available on Amazon in December, 2019 or January, 2020.
On August 18, 2019 Sophie Tajch Klisman, age 90 and Lori Klisman Ellis, age 60 competed in the Senior Olympics, in Power Walking at Oakland University in Rochester, Mi. We both received a gold medal for the 1500 M for our age group. In addition, we both broke the record for the state of Michigan. Sophie walked at a speed of 18.03. Jeff, her son-in-law stated if she were to compete in the National Power Walking Olympics, with her speed at the age of 90 she would be the fastest in the nation! Way to go mom! She is unstoppable at the age of 90. Sophie continues to inspire people. We are so proud of our mother/grandmother!