David Wolnerman was a young, Jewish boy raised in a small Polish town, just a few miles from Auschwitz. During World War II, Wolnerman and his family were forced into concentration camps. Wolnerman was 13, but his lie — that he was 18 years old — helped him bypass the Auschwitz crematoriums and saved his life. Now, Wolnerman and his wife are the last Holocaust survivors in the state of Iowa. After a successful and happy life in America, Wolnerman looks back and shares his story.
Twelve-year-old author Sydney Pearl wrote a children’s book called A Lucky Lie about Wolnerman’s experiences. The book was presented on April 16 at a celebration for Wolnerman hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. A Lucky Lie is published by A Book By Me and is available to order here.
