Holocaust Survivor Rose Girode, Crocheting Entrepreneur, Dies at Advanced Age
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Rose Girode, a woman whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience, survival, and entrepreneurial spirit, died on Monday, Feb. 24, according to her daughter, Reha bennicas.Born Rose Raubvogel in 1912 in Janów, Galicia (now Ivano-Frankovsk), her life took her from pre-war europe through the horrors of Nazi persecution to a new beginning in the United States. There, she found success and community through her lifelong passion for crocheting, transforming a personal solace into a thriving business.
Born into a Jewish family in Janów, Galicia, rose Raubvogel’s early life was disrupted as her family sought refuge in Hamburg. The rise of anti-Semitism in Europe led her to Wroclaw, then part of Germany, where she married in 1938. However, their newfound stability was short-lived as the Nazi regime tightened its grip.
Escape from Nazi Germany
The shadow of Nazi persecution loomed large over Rose and her family. her husband was soon arrested and imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp, a chilling foreshadowing of the atrocities to come. Facing imminent danger, Rose displayed remarkable courage and resourcefulness. Securing a Chinese visa became their lifeline, enabling her, her husband, and their newborn daughter to escape the tightening grip of Nazi germany and seek refuge in Shanghai. This escape was a pivotal moment, setting the stage for a life marked by both hardship and extraordinary resilience.
Life in the Shanghai Ghetto
Shanghai,though a haven,presented its own set of challenges. After the Japanese occupation, the family was forced to live in the ghetto, facing hardship and uncertainty. It was during this period of adversity that Rose’s lifelong passion for crocheting became not only a source of solace but also a means of survival. The shanghai Ghetto, officially known as the Restricted Sector for stateless Refugees, was a designated area where approximately 20,000 Jewish refugees where confined during World War II. Conditions were harsh, with overcrowding, poverty, and limited access to resources.
Rose later recounted how her crocheting skills saved her family. She had learned to knit as a child, a skill that would prove invaluable in the Shanghai ghetto. She began by making clothes for her young daughter and eventually started selling her creations. This ingenuity not only provided essential income but also offered a sense of purpose and dignity amidst the squalor and uncertainty of ghetto life.
A New Beginning in America
in 1947, after years of displacement and hardship, the family embarked on a new chapter, immigrating to the United States. Rose later divorced and remarried, navigating the complexities of rebuilding her life in a new country. She moved several times before finally settling in New york, where she channeled her passion for crocheting into a triumphant business venture. The post-war period offered new opportunities, but also presented challenges as Rose adapted to a new culture and rebuilt her life from the ground up.
Entrepreneurial Success and Legacy
In New York, Rose Girode established herself as a prominent figure in the knitting community.She ran knitting stores and taught crocheting, sharing her skills and passion with others. At the age of 68, she sold her business but never abandoned her love for knitting. Even after the death of her second husband, she remained autonomous, living alone until the age of 103, when she moved to a nursing home near her daughter and granddaughter. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her craft made her a respected and beloved figure in her community.
Her daughter, Reha Bennicas, 86, remembers her mother as a pillar of strength and resilience:
She was a strong, resistant woman, she did how she coudl best, in terrible circumstances; she was vrey balanced, very common sense, she helped me in everything.
Reha Bennicas, daughter of Rose Girode
Rose Girode’s life was a testament to the power of human resilience and the enduring spirit of survival. From escaping Nazi persecution to building a successful life in a new country, she leaves behind a legacy of strength, determination, and the transformative power of a simple craft. Her story serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the human capacity to overcome adversity and create a meaningful life, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.
The Unwavering Spirit of Rose Girode: A Holocaust SurvivorS Entrepreneurial Legacy
Did you know that a simple act of crocheting became a lifeline for a Holocaust survivor, transforming hardship into entrepreneurial triumph? Rose Girode’s story is a testament to human resilience, proving the power of craft and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity. Let’s delve deeper into her remarkable life with Dr. evelyn Reed, a leading historian specializing in the experiences of Jewish women during World War II and the post-war era.
World-today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr. Reed, Rose Girode’s story is incredibly moving.Could you help our readers understand the importance of her escape from Nazi Germany and her subsequent life in Shanghai?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Rose Girode’s escape is emblematic of the desperate measures many Jewish families undertook to survive the Holocaust. Securing a Chinese visa was a rare and incredibly arduous feat, requiring immense resourcefulness and often significant financial sacrifice.The journey itself was fraught with peril, highlighting the bravery and determination displayed by those fleeing persecution. Once in Shanghai, the family faced a different kind of oppression within the Restricted Sector for Stateless refugees – the Shanghai Ghetto. This area, though not an extermination camp like those in europe, presented its own harsh realities of poverty, overcrowding and uncertainty. Living in such conditions profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees, instilling a strength and resourcefulness that would define their existence in the years to come. Rose’s crocheting became critical to the family’s survival in this precarious environment.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Her crocheting skills were clearly crucial to her family’s survival in Shanghai. How did this seemingly simple craft become a catalyst for her later entrepreneurial success in America?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: In the dire circumstances of the Shanghai Ghetto, basic needs were paramount. Rose’s ability to crochet provided her family with clothing, offering not only protection from the elements but also a sense of normalcy within the abnormal. Selling her creations allowed her to earn income, vital in supporting herself and her family during a period of extreme hardship. This experience forged her entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating the connection between resourcefulness, creativity, and economic survival. This was a critical foundation for her later business success in the United States. It transformed a personal solace into a vehicle for her family’s sustenance.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: How did her experience as a refugee contribute to the success she achieved in post-war America?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Rose’s journey – from surviving nazi persecution and the hardships of the Shanghai Ghetto to reinventing herself in America – perfectly illustrates adaptation and resilience. Many immigrants, especially those with harrowing escape stories, often exhibit entrepreneurial drive. The challenges faced build inner strength and a resolve to create a better life.For Rose, this translated specifically to establishing her own successful crocheting businesses. She didn’t just sell her work; she also taught, sharing her skills and creating community. This highlights the critical link between personal experience, cultural adaptation, and building successful endeavors. Her capacity for overcoming immense challenges gave her an understanding of hard work and the determination to thrive that many others might lack.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What are some key takeaways from Rose Girode’s unusual life that you believe will resonate with our readers?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Rose Girode’s legacy offers several significant lessons:
Resilience in the face of adversity: Her life demonstrates the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Entrepreneurial spirit: Her crocheting transformed from a personal passion into a thriving business, inspiring many aspiring entrepreneurs.
The power of community: She used her skills to create community and support others, highlighting the importance of social connections.
Transforming hardship into chance: Rose’s story demonstrates that even amidst immense pain and suffering, opportunities for self-discovery and growth can emerge.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Reed, for sharing this invaluable insight into Rose Girode’s remarkable life.Your viewpoint provides a powerful message of hope and perseverance.
Final Thought: Rose Girode’s life story is not merely a past account; it’s a timeless tale of human endurance, resourcefulness, and the extraordinary power of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest of times. What aspects of her story struck you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation on social media!