Leo Israel Samuel (nickname Ezriel Leib) was born in Cherna, Czechoslovakia and raised in a Jewish home. He was the son and grandson of rabbis. His father owned thousands of acres of forest. His town had thousands of Jewish people, and he attended religious school (Catholic) like so many of his Jewish friends. A smart boy, Leo learned how to be a tailor - to make and alter men's suits. This trade would one day save his life. When the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia, they began to terrorize the Jewish people. Some were forced to dig long trenches or pits, not realizing they were digging their own graves. The Nazis lined them up and shot until all were dead and fell into the pit. Leo was a smart boy; he jumped in the pit without being shot and lay still, praying someone would come to help him out. By a miracle he survived. When his cousin carried him out of the pit, he asked, "How can I ever repay you?" His cousin suggested that after the war he should marry his sister. The Jews lived in the town's ghetto with fear and hunger as their constant companions. Eventually, the family was taken by cattle car to Auschwitz concentration camp. Leo had a job in the camp kitchen. This gave him the chance to serve extra portions to those who needed them the most. He saved many lives this way. The family lost Leo's grandmother when she misunderstood an order from the infamous Dr. Mengele, a ruthless Nazi doctor, and went into the line that ended in death. Six of the children in this family survived, but four siblings and the parents perished. Leo was smart-he bathed his body in snow. This kept him clean, alert, and free of disease. Years later, he commented there was not so much as a blade of grass at Auschwitz, nothing green-everything was brown and smelled of death. For those who have seen the movie Schindler's List, you may remember the character of Amon Goeth, one of the most ruthless Nazis. Killing seemed to be a pleasure for him. Leo was a tailor for this man and many other Nazis during his time as a prisoner. His trade made him a valuable prisoner, and, probably saved his life. Finally, the Allies won the war. Unfortunately, Leo's sisters, Lea Bayla and Gittel, were poisoned by the Nazis on the last day of the war. Their names were added to those who perished. Leo had no home to return to after the war. Not sure where to go, Leo was walking around a city in Russia one day and went into a shoe store. He noticed that as people made their purchases, they were wrapping the shoes in a Torah scroll. He asked why, and the store clerk made comments about their country finally being rid of the Jews. This young Jewish man could not control his anger. He hit the clerk and the authorities were called. The Russian commander talked with him and shared a secret that must be kept - he was Jewish, too. The commander told the young man that he must escape from Russia. Once he was behind the Iron Curtain of Communism, he would not be able to escape. Leo was spared more harm by this wise counsel - yet another miracle. Leo immigrated to America and married. He and his wife raised their family in California. There he was an active member of his Jewish community, and he received the Lion of Judah award for his community service and outstanding work. His son, Rabbi Michael Samuel, provided this biography of his father. Rabbi Michael Samuel was rabbi at the Beth Israel Congregation of the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island, Illinois for many years. This is where he met with a young author named Rachel Lagerstam. Today he serves as rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California.