Yosef Dadush
HOLON, Israel — In the bustling streets of Holon, a city that hums with life and vibrancy, Shimon Dadush carried a secret that would forever alter his understanding of family, history, and identity.
In 1977, at the tender age of 16, Shimon's world was upended. Attending a talk given by his father, Yosef, to a group of IDF soldiers, he was introduced to a chapter of his family's past that had remained veiled in silence. The narrative was not of distant relatives or unknown ancestors but of his own bloodline. It was the revelation that his family had been ensnared in the dark web of the Holocaust, with his older sister, Ada, perishing in the Giado concentration camp in Libya.
Yosef, having built a life in Israel for 25 years, had chosen to shield his children from this painful legacy. In his eyes, the past was a closed chapter, a story that belonged to a different era. But for Shimon, this revelation was a bridge to understanding his roots, a connection to a history that had been kept in the shadows.
The weight of this revelation deepened when, years later, Shimon, now going by the name Doron, stumbled upon a diary. This wasn't just any diary; it was a firsthand account penned by Yosef during his harrowing time in the Giado concentration camp. The pages, filled with raw emotion and chilling details, offered a window into the lives of those trapped in the camp, including the tragic story of Ada.
This diary became the foundation for "The hidden diary of Giado concentration camp," a book authored by Shlomo Abramovich. Published in January 2020, the book resonated with readers worldwide, transcending borders and bridging gaps in understanding, especially among Muslim readers.
But the story of the Dadush family is more than just a tale of survival. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Yosef's decision to document his experiences, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, speaks to his indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to ensuring that history is remembered, not just as dates and events but as deeply personal narratives.
The backdrop to this family's story is the broader historical context of the Holocaust in Libya. Following Mussolini's capitulation to Hitler in 1938, Libya saw the imposition of "race laws." By 1942, the Jews of Cyrenaica and Benghazi found themselves forcibly relocated to the Giado concentration camp. Tragically, 562 Libyan Jews lost their lives there.
In a move that underscores the significance of the Dadush family's story, parts of the book were incorporated into Israel's history curriculum in 2021. This inclusion ensures that future generations will learn about this lesser-known chapter of the Holocaust, emphasizing the importance of personal narratives in understanding the broader tapestry of history. It became known as the Holocaust in Libya.
At its core, the story of Shimon Dadush and his family serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit. It's a tale of discovery, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. In a world that often forgets, it's stories like these that remind us of the importance of remembering, honoring, and understanding our shared history.
Source: YNews
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