Portrait of the Month
Jakob Frenkiel
In honor of his 92nd birthday on December 3rd, Jakob Frenkiel is the subject of this month's featured portrait. This portrait was created at a workshop at the Facing History School in New York. 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.
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
"It really helped me understand how such a bad and horrifying thing can turn into such a beautiful art piece with so many meanings behind it."
- Arianna P., New York, NY
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. Remember and honor Jakob by viewing more portraits of him.
About the workshop
This portrait was made at Facing History School in New York.