Out of the Depths

The Story of a Child of Buchenwald Who Returned Home at Last

By: Rabbi Israel Meir Lau

Narrated by: Steve Blane

Israel Meir Lau, one of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald, was just eight years old when the camp was liberated in 1945. Descended from a 1,000-year unbroken chain of rabbis, he grew up to become Chief Rabbi of Israel - and like many of the great rabbis, Lau is a master storyteller. Out of the Depths is his harrowing, miraculous, and inspiring account of life in one of the Nazis' deadliest concentration camps, and how he managed to survive against all possible odds.

Lau, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, also chronicles his life after the war, including his emigration to Mandate Palestine during a period that coincides with the development of the State of Israel. The story continues up through today, with that once-lost boy of eight now a brilliant, charismatic, and world-revered figure who has visited with Popes John Paul and Benedict, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and countless global leaders, including Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Tony Blair.

©2011 Rabbi Israel Meir Lau (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"This is a book on Judaism, its glory and ordeals, depicting a period that could possibly be judged to represent the hardest, bitterest, and darkest in the annals of the Jewish people. This is a book that portrays the persona of the writer alongside the traits of his Jewish people. This is a book whose every word has been inscribed in blood." (Shimon Peres)

The well presented history of the Jewish faith! I could not put this book down!

Nothing! I leaned something new every day. I am Catholic, but I really have a passion for religious freedom. I read Anne Frank as a young girl and I had several friends who were Jewish. They were so kind and liked telling me some traditions. I always respect other people’s beliefs. Thank you so much for this wonderful book. I could listen to you for hours! God bless!

Lana

This was a wonderful book... Heartbreaking and hard to believe that such inhuman acts could have happened under the eyes of so many people... My hope is that no one will ever forgot what happened to all the families that were destroyed by such evil acts...

Great read!

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the continuation of the Jewish traditions. We were disappointed in the narrator however. We were surprised they couldn't fine someone who had a better grasp of Hebrew pronunciation...I am looking forward to reading it in the original Hebrew.

Superb

Excellent Riveting Could not put it down without finishing. Has put all facts succinctly.
Vivek Srivastava

Lessons of life learned pages by page

I loved the story, and as the son of two Polish Holocaust survivors, I felt a special understanding. The stories of survival rarely change much from person to person, but what one does with their life afterwards, is the real lesson.

I loved the book, but I never found a moment of enjoyment listening to the reader. His pronunciations had me shaking my head and his voice never was able to become the voice of the author.

Moving and inspiring again on my second listen

Moving and inspiring again on my second listen - Rabbi Lau brings to life an example of being a light onto the nations!!!

Great stories of a great man

Survived Buchenwald concentration camp as child. Went from illiterate camp survivor to Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. His history and his life meeting are poignant to profound. I enjoyed the narraration but most importantly the contents.

Very moving

Very moving true account of a holocaust survivor experience has a child and as a great spiritual leader of Israel

incredible story

really great book from an incredibly inspiring figure

highly recommend and shows miracle of life and perseverance

Read it

There is so much in this book. A holocaust story full of tragedy and perseverance. A peek into Israel and Jewish study. A look at the cost of losing family and the beauty of growing family as well. Interesting conversations with both notable and mostly unknown people of many faiths and nationalities. Read this book. It is beautifully written by a gifted speaker and writer. Everyone has something to learn and take from this book.