Portrait of the Month
Joseph Gani
Joseph Gani was an athletic teenager in Greece when his family was deported and sent to Auschwitz. He was forced to work in the Sonderkommando. This unit’s grim task was to move the corpses of fellow Jewish prisoners from the gas chambers to the crematorium. After months of this terrible work, he and other members of the Sonderkommando revolted, disarming SS guards, and blowing up one of the crematoria. Joseph was killed in the effort.
Grace B. in Omaha, Nebraska honored his memory by making this portrait of him. Students around the world reflected on the experience of drawing his portrait:
"I feel that he was a strong and smart person. He didn't give up so easily. I will remember his eyes. He has a deep intensity to look at life."
— Silvia A.
"I think I will remember his expression, because it's so powerful."
— Julie R.
"I felt very honored to spend time observing a photograph and making art based on a photo. I will remember my portrait of Joseph Gani and what he did to save lives of many Jews."
—Lorenzo P.
Read Joseph’s story below and click here to view past Portrait of the Month selections
About the subject
Joseph Gani grew up in the small village of Preveza, Greece where Jews had lived for over a thousand years. When he was a teenager however, all the Jewish people in his area were rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. Joseph was young and strong, and was given a terrible job in the Sonderkommando, bringing corpses of his fellow Jews from the gas chambers to the crematorium. He and other members of his unit revolted, and he was killed in the struggle, standing up to the Nazis. Remember and honor Joseph's heroism by viewing more portraits of him.
About the workshop
This portrait was made at St. Wenceslaus School in partnership with IHENE in Omaha, Nebraska.