Laya's Way Home - part 2

22/12/2024 28 min
Laya's Way Home - part 2

Listen "Laya's Way Home - part 2"

Episode Synopsis


Laya Semler was the last Jew sent to a concentration camp from Wennigsen, Germany, in 1945. Her non-Jewish husband Adolf was sent to slave labour for not denouncing her.  Both survived. Now, Wennigsen has invited their Australian family back, to commemorate Laya and Adolf’s incredible story of courage and love.  In Part 1, their great-grandchildren discovered a town perhaps finally ready to accept the extent of its role in the Nazi regime. In Part 2, they will experience that history face-to-face.They experience that history face-to-face -- when they visit the slave labour camp, only recently unearthed, where Adolf was held.  And where they must reckon with horrors that will shock even the German historians guiding them.    Michaela Kalowski, Joanna's husband John Hempton, Joanna Kalowski and Rick KalowskiGuests:Joanna Kalowski - internationally recognised mediator and granddaughter of Laya and Adolf SemlerMichael Wittich - historian for the town of WennigsenChristina Muller - city councillor in WennigsenJutta Henza - historian of the Stolen Gustav slave labour campCredits:Writers: Rick Kalowski and Michaela KalowskiPresenters: Michaela Kalowski and Rick KalowskiProducer: Claudia TarantoSound Engineer: Hamish CamilleriResearch assistance : Tadhg Kalowski