It's been nearly three months since returning from Sontra. 

There were so many wonderful reasons to go:
• See family that I rarely see (my father/Linda, aunt and uncles, cousins)
• Meet family from all over the world that I would never get to meet otherwise
• Walk the streets where my great-grandfather (Emil) once walked
• Honor the legacy, and pay respects, to not just my ancestors, but the local Jewish population that faced persecution
• Speak to the next generation in Sontra, and share my families experiences with them so that they know what can happen if evil is not kept in check.
 

While all of the above reasons were, and are, very important to me and my decision to make the trip, one reason more than any stood out above all; my grandmother, Ruth. Ruth was Emil's oldest daughter. While she was my grandmother, in many ways she was my maternal "north star". She was always there for me...no matter what. I don't believe that I have ever had, nor ever will have, a greater advocate in my life that her. I could never seem to do wrong in her eyes...despite all of the times that I did do wrong. Whenever I had challenges whether it be as a child or an adult, I knew I could count on her for a non-judgemental ear or a shoulder to cry on followed by sage advice. It's rare in life that you meet someone that you feel like can't see you in any light except for the brightest and most positive...even when maybe you shouldn't be viewed that way. Ruth was that person to me. I grew up in a tense household. My parents had a rocky marriage and Ruth was often my source of comfort during troubling times growing up. While I was very close with my grandfather Arthur, he unfortunately passed away when I was 16. I was incredibly fortunate to have Ruth in my life for 37 years before her passing. She served as my maternal figure and filled that void for me until the very end of her life in 2009. Over the years, we spoke about Sontra a bit but it was always a far distant place that had little meaning to me. 
 

I never met Emil and really had no connection to him outside of knowing that my father (Mark) was extremely close to him during his childhood. Beyond that, I knew very little about him and his family and their story. After Ruth's passing in 2009, I became further detached from family history as I spent my time raising my own two children and living a busy life with work, kids activities, and other events. Family history became further and further pushed down the list of thing's to focus on.
 

When the opportunity was presented to me to travel to Germany in September of this year, I didn't jump immediately at the idea. The cost, time away from work and home, logistics, etc.. were all reasons to not go. But then I thought about Ruth. Knowing everything that she did for me, the comfort and love and guidance she provided to me, and the unconditional love that she gave me, I started to realize that this trip to Sontra would be as much to honor her as anyone. Yes it's true that she did not grow up there and was not present in Germany in the 30's and 40's, but having a chance to see where her father came from would be another way to connect with her and the memory of her. Many times during my time in Sontra, I thought of her. I know that she would be proud of me for being there and that it would mean the world to her that I made the journey, though she'd probably be telling me to make sure that I had a sweater on as she was always concerned about me being too cold (a bit of an inside family joke). 
 

Along the way, I realized how fortunate I am that Emil was able to come to the United States and start a new life here. But for many of the other Heilbrunn's, they were not as lucky. I am very thankful that I was able to pay my respects for those that were not able to escape the Nazi's. The cost, time off work, etc, are incredibly small prices to pay compared to what the Jews in Sontra and Europe had to deal with. May their memory be a blessing. Looking back, I would have been very disappointed in myself had I not made this trip.
Milton, Brian, and everyone else who was involved in planning this endeavor, thank you very much. The amount of time and effort that you all put into this can never be paid back. I am very thankful to have been a small part of this experience. While I made this trip in large part to honor Ruth, I have come to realize that the opportunity to share memories with relatives, both new and old, will last with me for the rest of my life.Thank you again for everything.

Evan Weiss