Reflections and Essays by Philip Weiss
At the age of 85, Philip Weiss’ speeches, essays and reflections were published under the title Humanity in Doubt. His essays are scholarly. His personal narratives are those of a survivor, émigré and witness. Weiss passed away on September 6, 2008.
This second edition of Humanity in Doubt includes a eulogy by his son-in-law Bryan Schwartz and “Furnishing an Identity”, his daughter Francis Winograd’s master’s thesis in interior design, which places Philip’s career in design in the context of the Jewish contribution to modernism.
This updated edition of his memoirs and writings is intended to continue Philip’s legacy of reflection and remembrance.
About Philip Weiss
Born in Drohobycz, Poland, Philip, along with his parents, his brother, and his sister, was first placed in a ghetto and then separated from his family; during the war, he was imprisoned in a succession of three labour camps and two concentration camps, and finally was liberated by the Americans from Mauthausen Concentration Camp in May 1945 (by the US Army).
Philip Weiss has made it his life’s work to testify to history by bearing personal witness to the devastation of the Holocaust.
In all of his work, he was promoted the values of tolerance and respect for all other groups. In recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field of Holocaust education in Manitoba, Philip Weiss was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws, by the University of Winnipeg in 2003, and many other accolades over the years including, in 1991, the Prix Manitoba by the provincial government for distinguished service in cross-cultural awareness, and the 2006 Canada Peace prize medal from the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian Association of Winnipeg (Manitoba).
Philip passed away on September 6, 2008. Click here to read his eulogy, as delivered by Bryan Schwartz, and here for an article about Philip from the Jewish Tribune. Click on the book cover read Philip’s work and here for the book jacket content.
Special Thanks
This updated edition of his memoirs and writings is intended to continue Philip’s legacy of reflection and remembrance.
Preface by Bryan Schwartz
Afterword, “Furnishing an Identity” by Francis Winograd
Edited by
Bryan Schwartz, Eliana (Lainie) Schwartz,
and John ( Jay) Richthammer
To the vibrant Jewish community of Drohobycz, Poland, that was, but is no more.
To my loved parents, Solomon and Celia Weiss To my beloved wife, Gertrude Weiss.
To my precious daughters, Francie Winograd, Shelley Weiss, and Beverly Schwartz.
To my dearest brother, Leo Weiss, and sister, Erna Kimmel, my soulmates and witnesses to the world gone mad.
To my most cherished grandchildren, Abby, Jill, and Richard Winograd; Erin and Evan Larocque; Michael and Lainie Schwartz, with hope for a peaceful and tolerant future.
To dedicated publicist, Jeremy Broekman, for his collaboration.
“We don’t receive wisdom: we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.”
—Marcel Proust