A younger Pope: always a friend of the Jews
Photo: AFP
Survivor mourns childhood friend
Israeli Holocaust survivor recalls in personal letter memories of his childhood friend Karol Wojtyla, the man who would become Pope John Paul II
"We studied together in the first grade in Wadowice in Poland. Me, Joseph Binensztok, and Karol Wojtyla, who became Pope John Paul II.
Joseph Binensztok published his letter to Pope John Paul II in Yedioth AhronothYou were my good friend, Karol. You came from a strict Catholic family, which didn't prevent from bonding with the Jewish pupils. You were also a brilliant student, and in my youth I would copy off of you, because I knew your papers were better than mine.
Even as you grew older, you made friends with many Jews. You even had Jewish girlfriends, but you decided in the end to follow the Church. You still kept in contact through letters and after World War II you established a grave for my brother, who returned to the town after the Holocaust and died shortly afterwards. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
We met for the last time five years ago, when you visited Israel. It was a very emotional meeting for us. We have since kept in continuous contact. You would send me letters during holidays and wish me personal blessings and always repeated your respect for the Jewish people. You told me once you preferred religious Jews over those who had converted and explained that everyone should be true to their own faith.
I am sad today. I am sad for the death of the Pope who had respect and sympathy for the Jewish people.
But mostly, I am sad for your death, Karol, my friend from the first grade."
