Portrait of the Month
Jakob Frenkiel
This portrait of Jakob Frenkiel is different from many of the portraits that we feature, but its clarity makes the intensity of his stare even more stark. It was created by high school students in Wilton, Connecticut who were older than Jakob himself was when he was sent to a forced labor camp and later to Auschwitz. He survived the horrific conditions and emigrated to the United States at age 16.
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
Read Jakob’s story below and click here to view past Portrait of the Month selections
About the subject
Jakob Frenkiel was born in 1929 in Gabin, Poland, one of seven brothers. In 1939, the Germans invaded his town and rounded up all the Jewish men. Three years later, Jakob was sent to Auschwitz where he was lined up with the children and the elderly. Another prisoner warned him that they would be killed if they didn't get in the line to get a number tattooed on his arm. Jakob and his brother snuck off to another line to get tattoos, saving their lives. Jakob was imprisoned for 17 months, then forced to march to camps in Germany. He was liberated along the way and emigrated to the United States. View more portraits of Jakob.
About the workshop
This portrait was made at Wilton High School in Connecticut.