White House in a Gray City by Itzhak Belfer is a recollection of suffering and fear of the past. It is also in remembrance of author’s family members who are no longer with him. In fact, losing them in his childhood left him with no other option than living in an orphanage. In his dark journey of life, two persons were like a ray of light. These two persons were Janusz Korczak and Stefa Wilczynska. They were there to provide him proper direction. It is their direction because of which the author could understand and adopt the values of humanity, justice, honesty, and concern for others. Their teachings could help him to overcome all kind of hurdles in his life. Conditions at the time of author’s birth were quite stormy and tragic. It was the period between the first and second world wars.
His was an orthodox Jewish family living in hope and despair. Their home was in Warsaw during 1920s when he was living with his mother, father, and grandparents. Losing his father at a very young age forced him to shift to Dr. Korczak’s home for orphans. Stefa Wilczynska was Dr. Korczak’s associate at the orphanage. Nazi regimes defeating the free world during the second world war was not a good sign for humanity. Due to this, the author had a very bad impact on his mind, heart, soul, and spirit. Now, he is a sketch artist and sculptor. This profession helps him to express his pain, grief, and loss in a constructive manner. Having a deep concern for other’s sufferings, the author has a firm belief that sanity will finally return to our lives. That makes the story of White House In A Gray City quite serious and impactful.
White House in a Gray City is a Tribute by the Author
Itzhak Belfer calls White House In A Gray City a memorial volume. The real name of Dr. Janusz Korczak is Dr. Henryk Goldschmidt. In fact, that was his pen name. He was a great author, educationist, and pediatrician. This book is a tribute to Dr. Korczak who was murdered by Nazis for refusing to abandon his children. The book is a must-read for people who wish to have some idea how a lone survivor in a large family struggles during his childhood and youth days. As a matter of fact, Itzhak’s whole family was murdered during the war. Witnessing so many murders and losses in his life, he finally pays tribute to all of them through his work of art in Israel. Especially he is so grateful to Dr. Janusz for being the only light of hope in his life. You can call White House In A Gray City a memoir or autobiography.
