Lost Holocaust Songbook Found in Sydney

A significant historical find has emerged in Sydney with the rediscovery of 'Mima'amakim' (Out of the Depths), a rare collection of 20 songs composed by individuals during the Holocaust. These poignant melodies, penned between 1939 and 1944 by ghetto inhabitants, camp prisoners, those in hiding, and partisan fighters, narrowly escaped disposal after the death of its owner, Olga R, in 2013.

Initially brought to Sydney by a survivor post-World War II, the songbook, printed on fragile paper, lay hidden for nearly six decades. Its discovery was serendipitous, prompted by the unusual Russian constructivist design of its cover, which led Olga's daughter to contact a Jewish music academic. This academic's inquiry confirmed the manuscript's immense cultural value and rarity, with only five copies known to exist from an initial print run of 500.

Following its identification, a 13-year effort by academics led to the first English translation of 'Mima'amakim'. The project also meticulously traced descendants of the songbook's contributors across the Jewish diaspora. The songbook originated in postwar Bucharest, where survivor Yehuda Eismann documented wartime experiences and collected these songs, categorizing them by emotional themes such as despair, hope, and battle.

One contributor, Ayzik Flaysher, composed 'Der Driter Pogrom' at age 13 after surviving the murder of his family. Another featured artist is Alexander Tamir, who submitted his composition 'Ponar' (later known as 'Shtiler, Shtiler') to a ghetto music competition as an 11-year-old. The collection uniquely captures the raw trauma and even gallows humor of the Holocaust, offering insights into the emotional resilience built through music during immense suffering.

The contemporary relevance of 'Mima'amakim' is highlighted by its sharing with refugee support services, where caseworkers report that displaced individuals continue to use music to process trauma. The researchers plan a public performance of the rediscovered songs later this year at the Bondi Pavilion, aiming to provide a space for reflection and acknowledge the enduring resilience of those who saved their songs amidst unimaginable horror.