Schindler’s List Tour

Your story on “The Schindler’s List Tour” (Aug. 21) reminded me of a trip I took to Russia, Latvia and Estonia a few years ago. We were taken to a concentration camp in Latvia and, although I thought it was a good idea to not forget what happened there, I could not get off the bus to tour the camp. I didn’t think I could handle it emotionally.

The driver, who did not speak a word of English, realized I did not want to get off the bus. When everyone had left, he took me on a ride into the nearby woods. He stopped at a stream, got out and picked some wild strawberries for me. While I ate and admired them, he picked a few roses for me.

At that moment, we both spoke the same language.

JOAN MARTIN

Woodland Hills

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What a depressing picture of Poland.... Granted it had its horrors, but many countries have had the same. Why concentrate on them? Why not write about how Poland has rebuilt its cities and has maintained its courage and ability to forge ahead.

I will be visiting Poland in September. Yes, I’ll visit Auschwitz where the brother of my father was killed as a political prisoner--he was a Roman Catholic. But I want to see this great country where my mother and father were born--I’d like to see my heritage of which I’m very proud!

ISABELLE S. SANDER

Northridge

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I take exception to a statement made by Joachim Russek that Poland has invented “anti-Semitism without Jews.” This statement has been frequently used by anti-Poles for their own reasons but it is a canard. There are hundreds of thousands of Jews in Poland, but not the religious types. It would be hard to find a field of activity in Poland without Jews. They are in the mainstream of Polish life. But they don’t wear yarmulkes and they don’t observe the Sabbath.

ARTUR ZYGMONT

Torrance

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My name is Marisol Torres and I am 13. I enjoyed your article on the Schindler’s List Tour. Many Jews who survived the Holocaust due to Oskar Schindler’s courage and bravery will be proud of the fact that people want to learn more about the death camps. I have never been through the Schindler’s List Tour, but I know it would be a wonderful experience. I am proud to say that if there was ever another man like Hitler, I would try my best to follow in Oskar Schindler’s footsteps.

MARISOL TORRES

West Covina