Rena's Promise

01Rena and Danka: Life Before the War in Tylicz, Poland

In the quiet town of Tylicz, nestled in the southern part of Poland, two sisters, Rena and Danka Kornreich, lived a life that was simple yet filled with love and warmth. Their days were marked by the rhythm of Jewish traditions, the laughter of family gatherings, and the shared secrets between sisters. This peaceful existence, however, was soon to be shattered by the brutalities of war, making it all the more important to understand and appreciate the life they once had. Rena, the elder of the two, was a pillar of strength and resilience. She was the rock that Danka often leaned on, especially when life threw its curveballs. Danka, on the other hand, was the heart of the family, her spirit and vivacity bringing joy and light into their lives. Their bond was not just that of sisters, but of best friends, confidantes, and allies. This bond, as the book beautifully illustrates, was their source of strength in the face of the horrors that were to come. The Kornreich family was a tight-knit unit, their lives deeply rooted in their Jewish faith and traditions. Their parents instilled in them the values of love, respect, and resilience, shaping the women Rena and Danka would become. The Sabbath dinners, the lighting of the menorah, the recitation of prayers - these rituals were not just religious practices, but a way of life that brought them closer as a family and as a community. The Jewish community in Tylicz was a tapestry of customs, traditions, and shared histories. They lived in harmony, their lives intertwined with each other. The book paints a vivid picture of this community - the bustling marketplace, the synagogue echoing with prayers, the children playing in the streets. This peaceful coexistence, however, was a stark contrast to the storm that was brewing on the horizon. The book subtly hints at the impending war, adding a sense of foreboding to the narrative. The whispers of unrest, the rumors of war, the unease in the air - these were the dark clouds that loomed over their peaceful existence. This contrast between their life before the war and the dramatic events that were to follow adds a layer of poignancy to their story. Understanding Rena and Danka's life before the war is crucial to appreciating the dramatic changes that were to come. Their peaceful existence was soon to be replaced by the horrors of Auschwitz, their lives turned upside down. Yet, through it all, the sisters held on to each other, their bond unbroken, their spirit uncrushed. Their story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, a beacon of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.