Abraham Eisenman: a Man Built of Iron

By Alexandra Ciniglio

Abraham Eisenman: A Man Built of Iron narrates the life of a Jew whose childhood was destroyed by Nazi barbarism. He survived the war and fate led him to travel the world and become the protagonist of some of the most important moments in history. Today, at 85, he bares his soul to tell us about the hardships he endured and how he managed to overcome them. It is an honest and moving story that captivates from the first word and translates into life lessons.

This book is the result of a year of intense work, during which I had the opportunity to accompany Abraham in the difficult task of recounting his life. I knew it was an interesting challenge, but seeing the world through Abraham’s eyes, I have grown increasingly aware of the horrors of the Second World War, in which he lost his family; the efforts made to create the State of Israel; his adventurous travels around the world; the “Little Golden Cup” Colon; the military dictatorship in Panama; the era of the U.S. military bases, and the invasion of 1989, until the thriving Panama of today, in which his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grew up.

An intense life, formed in the heat of adversities, bringing forth such an extraordinary man. A complex life, filled with the pain of tragedies, which did not frustrate his ability to smile and enjoy the happier times. A life lived when and how he had to live it.

I invite you to discover a story full of joy and sorrow; accomplishments and frustrations; challenges and teachings; dreams and nightmares. The story of "A Man Built of Iron”.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexandra Ciniglio
• Release date: May 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463591581

Alexandra Ciniglio

La trayectoria profesional de Alexandra Ciniglio es un viaje a través del quehacer humano y sus vicisitudes, desde la visión de una periodista agua y comprometida. Su carrera en el periodismo se inicia como reportera en RPC TV donde labora por 13 años asumiendo responsabilidades como Presentadora de Noticias, Jefa de Asignaciones y Directora de Noticias. En 2005 acepta un nuevo reto en TVN donde asciende a Gerente de Noticias, Presentadora y Productora del Noticiero Matutino, Gerente de Programación de TVN y TVMax y finalmente Vicepresidenta de Contenido del grupo TVN Media. Durante una década es también corresponsal de CNN en Español y Univisión en Panamá. En 2014, participa activamente en diferentes proyectos de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial a los que brinda toda su experiencia en el campo de la comunicación. Al la vez, se incorpora al staff permanente del programa radial Infoanálisis, y es entonces cuando orienta sus destrezas de entrevistadora en medios audiovisuales e impresos hacia el campo de las Biografías. En diciembre de 2017 publica su primer libro: Abraham Eisenman: Un Hombre de Hierro, donde logra el relato honesto y conmovedor de un hombre que se forma a si mismo, mirando la vida como lo que es: un regalo.

Book preview

ALEXANDRA CINIGLIO

Abraham Eisenman

A MAN BUILT

OF IRON

"ABRAHAM EISENMAN:

A MAN BUILT OF IRON"

Copyright © 2018 by Alexandra Ciniglio

All rights reserved

The total or partial reproduction of this work is prohibited by any means or procedure, without written authorization of the copyright holders.

Translated by Miriam Betancourt

Revised by Andrew Page

SMASHWORDS EDITION

E-mail: [e-mail]

LICENSE NOTE

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The purest iron is forged under constant fire and inclement blows, just as the most significant lives. This is the story of a life to be told; this is the story of Abraham Eisenman, A Man Built of Iron.

"From the blows of life, to the forging of the soul."

Alexandra Ciniglio

INDEX

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: A BRAVE CHILD

CHAPTER 2: DISCOVERING THE JEW

CHAPTER 3: TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD

CHAPTER 4: PANAMA, A DESTINY

CHAPTER 5: THE FAMILY HE NEVER HAD

CHAPTER 6: ROCK BOTTOM

CHAPTER 7: A NEW LIFE

CHAPTER 8: FAREWELL COLON

CHAPTER 9: ANGELS IN HEAVEN

CHAPTER 10: LIFE’S LESSONS

"This is the story of a boy who lived through the war, and survived it; someone who learned the good and bad in life. For life has to be lived as it is. I hope my experiences will help anyone to face their own lives."

Abraham Eisenman

***~~~***

FOREWORD

When writing or talking about my father I become emotional. Ever since I was a little boy, I listened with admiration to his stories, anecdotes and the difficulties he had to overcome throughout his life. As a family, we had to live through the loss of my sister Debbie and of my brother Bruce: one suddenly, the other after a prolonged illness.

Together we learned that parents should never have to bury their children; I still have a hard time understanding many things. I don’t really understand how after so many hardships, life gave my father the family he never had, only to then take part of it away so harshly.

However, although it is difficult for me to understand, I watch with admiration how after each blow, he picked himself up and moved on. My father could have become an insensible and bitter man; however he is always the opposite. He has an immense heart, full of love for others and never misses the opportunity to express his joy for life.

I also admire the way he has always been a model father, even though he never had the opportunity to grow up within a family environment; his father, mother and siblings were taken away from him when he was very young.

My father rejoices in giving and receiving love. For him no material gift is ever more important than a card with a special written message, expressing feelings, thoughts and wishes. Likewise, he happily anticipates the kisses and greetings from his grandchildren every time they meet.

I am sure that this book will be an enduring legacy, not only to this family but also a source of motivation for anyone going through difficult moments in their life, facing misfortune, shocks and losses. I am convinced that it is only possible to progress and move on with the attitude of my father, A Man Built of Iron, who lives intensely and happily, appreciating what he has and always looking forward to a better future.

If there is something I have learned from my father, it is that life is only lived once, and even when it is difficult we have to confront it and make the best of it. I love you old man, you will always have my admiration, be my guide and role model in life.

Dovi Eisenman

INTRODUCTION

February 26, 2016, Jewish Cemetery at Juan Diaz. After the last shovel, Abraham hugged his son Dovi and his grandchildren Adam and Benjamin, and while wiping away his tears, said to them: we did all what we could do for him, now life goes on. Bruce was the second child that life had snatched from Abraham.

I met Abraham Eisenman more than twenty years ago, and ever since, I have listened to his anecdotes, but I confess that when he asked for my help to write his biography I could not imagine the world I was about to discover. It is one of the most fascinating stories I have ever learned about.

By seeing the world through Abraham’s eyes, I have grown increasingly aware of the horrors of the Second World War, in which he lost his family; the efforts made to create the State of Israel; his adventurous travels around the world; the Colon City Little Golden Cup years; the military dictatorship in Panama; the era of the U.S. military bases, and the invasion of 1989, until the thriving Panama of today, in which his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grew up.

An intense life, formed in the heat of adversities, bringing forth such an extraordinary man. A complex life, filled with the pain of tragedies, which did not frustrate his ability to smile and enjoy the happier times. A life lived when and how he had to live it.

I invite you to discover a story full of joy and sorrow; accomplishments and frustrations; challenges and teachings; dreams and nightmares. The story of A Man Built of Iron.

The author

***~~~***

CHAPTER 1

A BRAVE CHILD

Abraham was born in the small town of Pshasnish on December 12, 1932, near Warsaw. In those years Poland was a multicultural and multi-ethnic country where several cultures and traditions peacefully coexisted. He was the second child of Debora Frenkel and Baruj Dov Aizenman, who had met by chance when Debora’s parents invited a group of visiting Jewish soldiers to celebrate Passover (1) at their home. It was love at first sight, and shortly afterwards they were married. Things were going well for them: Debora's father had an important cattle farm and Baruj, when on leave, helped him on the farm.

I was born in a relatively wealthy family. My mother’s side was very rich, and my father's did have money, but had lost everything at some point as a result of a fire. Starting over again was difficult for them. My father had fourteen sisters and four brothers; all families were numerous then... there was no television to watch.

The family names of many Jews are derived from the combination of colors, elements of nature, trades, cities and physical characteristics. Aizenman for example, literally means ‘iron man or blacksmith’.

Abraham, his older sister, Perla and Judith, the youngest, grew up happily within a devoted family, which was not very religious.

The Jews of Poland were a numerous minority; many of them lived in small towns called Shtetl, where Yiddish, an interesting mix of German, Hebrew and French, was the common language. They were hard working people, but they did not enjoy the same rights as others.

- "At that time there were not many Jews in the