Orphaned Holocaust Survivor, 83, Reunites with the Family He Never Imagined He Had

Back in January, we posted on this blog about the incredible story of Shalom Korai, an 83-year-old man who survived the Holocaust as an orphaned toddler, grew up knowing nothing about his origins, and finally discovered his long-lost family thanks to a MyHeritage DNA test. We are thrilled to share that last week, Shalom traveled to the United States and met his newfound relatives for the first time.

Shalom (fourth from the left, front row) and his newfound family at the Charleston International Airport

Shalom was found wandering the streets of the Warsaw Ghetto at age two, and he was rescued — along with around 100 other children — by Lena Kuchler-Silberman, a Jewish teacher and psychologist. Lena took the children to Israel and they were raised on a kibbutz there. Shalom had no idea who his parents or grandparents were, or even what his own given name was. He went on to have children and grandchildren of his own, certain he would never know that information. Then, last summer, a researcher from Poland who was researching the 100 children rescued by Lena suggested that Shalom take a MyHeritage DNA test — and a few weeks later, he was matched with a second cousin from Charleston, South Carolina, named Ann Meddin Hellman. Ann, an experienced family history researcher, delved deeper into the data and was able to determine that Shalom was a grandson of her grandfather’s brother, Yadidia Mednitzky.

“I gave a Holocaust survivor a family,” Ann said at the time. “Finding Shalom is a miracle.”

Ann was particularly struck by the resemblance between Shalom and her brother. The two have spoken often since their discovery, through correspondence and then through video calls a few times a week.

Watch Shalom telling his story in the video below:

‘I’ve given him a new life’

Last week, Shalom arrived at Charleston International Airport, where a dozen members of the family he never knew he had were eagerly awaiting him.

“I feel like I’ve given somebody a new life,” Ann said. “He’s become my child,” she laughed and embraced Shalom, who is just a few years older than her. “I have to protect him and take care of him.”

Shalom doesn’t speak a lot of English, but his friend Arie Bauer, who lives in New York, flew down to accompany him and help with translation. “We’ve had a lot of conversations about it,” Arie said. “He’s getting used, little by little, to having a brand-new family that he never knew about.” Living a long lifetime with no concept of what it’s like to have a biological family, the new reality is quite an adjustment for Shalom.

“Shalom handled everything beautifully. He met lots of family,” Ann wrote to us the next day. “I am still excited and overwhelmed.” She says that Shalom has told her that he’s wanted this for 83 years.

Ann hosted a barbecue and fish fry for Shalom in the days after his arrival, and more family members flew down to meet Shalom over the weekend. On Friday night, they had a Shabbat dinner with 40 people.

Ann and Shalom at the Shabbat dinner hosted in his honor

Shalom has been able to meet cousins of all ages, and to see a little of the southeast coast of the United States where Ann lives.

Shalom and Ann at Tybee Island, Georgia

Ann presented Shalom with the gift of a kiddush cup — a silver goblet traditionally used for the ritual of blessing the Sabbath over a cup of wine — that had been passed down in the family. Shalom, upon receiving his first-ever family heirloom, lightened the emotional moment with a joke: “It’s for beer,” he said, and everyone laughed.

The newly forged connection has deep significance, not only for Ann and for Shalom, but also for the younger generations of their family. “I feel like I’ve given the children and Shalom a gift that was never expected to happen,” Ann told NBC. “It’s something that hopefully they will remember forever.”

Their meeting was covered by many news outlets from all over the world, including ABC News, NBC News, the Associated Press, and the Post and Courier. As soon as he walked out of the runway, Ann gave him a big hug, and the surrounding spectators burst into applause.