December 2021 Portrait of the Month — Jakob Frenkiel

Jakob Frenkiel

In honor of his 92nd birthday on December 3rd, Jakob Frenkiel is the subject of this month's featured portrait. Jakob was nine when he and his family were rounded up from their home in 1939, and the men were sent to do forced labor before ending up in Auschwitz in 1941. Jakob and his brother Chaim survived by sneaking out of the children's line, destined for the gas chambers, and into the line for laborers. This portrait was created by Samantha W. during a workshop for her Religion and Holocaust class at Manhattan College.Workshop participants around the world have connected to Jakob through reading about him and drawing his portrait: “

Jakob Frenkiel, the boy who was determined and full of courage. He was stubborn yet loving, and never gave up

.” -India O., Boca Raton, Florida“

It felt very special to be able to recreate a photograph of someone who has been through so much, and give them tribute

” -Isa T., Wellington, Florida