ELIZABETHTOWN — In Dr. Herbert Savel's latest book, 12-year-old Doris Weiller lovingly holds her pet kitten, while Annie-Rose Erdelyi has a flower.
The benign and happy themes, captured first in photographs and then in woodcarvings by the Elizabethtown physician, are in stark contrast to the fate of those children and all the others featured in the book.
Each was murdered in the Holocaust.
"Family Portraits" is the third volume in Savel's "Kaddish in Wood" series of memorial woodcarvings depicting Holocaust victims.
Along the walls of passageways and rooms at the doctor's office hang carving after carving, bearing silent witness of the atrocities the human species has perpetrated.
Some are austere portraits, while others reflect on joyous moments. One carving shows a gathering of kids carrying presents, while another features three women posing in bathing suits before frolicking on the beach.
Some wear yellow stars imprinted with "Jude," signaling their Jewish heritage — and the horrific fate that would eventually befall them.
"These were much harder to do," Savel said of his latest works. "There was no room for mistakes, and originally, I felt I did not have the technical ability. One has seven people and a doll. In addition, some of the photos were pretty blurry."
DESERVE PERFECTION
Savel's wife, Isabel, assisted in the endeavors, adding details such as miniature bracelets, necklaces and even pearl earrings to the carvings.
Even the backgrounds that Dr. Savel carves are rife with details, such as a wall of verdant foliage, a picket fence or the texture of a carpet.
Other difficulties arose during the painting process, as once the paint touches the wood, it is indelible. Unlike oil or acrylic on canvas, it cannot be covered with another hue.
"They deserve nothing less than perfection," Dr. Savel said of his subjects. "They are entitled to it."
HEART AND SOUL
The front and back covers of "Family Portraits" feature members of the Suchowolska family, among them Chaim-Yankel, who was Dr. Savel's great-uncle.
Since starting the project in April 2002, the physician has completed 1,267 of the 10-by-12-by-1-inch carvings.
The events surrounding each one are also available for the telling.
Dr. Savel's heart and soul as well as skill are imparted into each one.
"Some are unbelievably emotional," he said. "I really get to know the people. All of them seem to be just staring.
"Then, when I put the eyes in them, they come to life, and they look at me.
"These are my children."
SENT TO AUSCHWITZ
The books include photos of his carvings and the photos that served as the model of each. Names and ages of those featured are listed, as well as available information. Many end with a somber phrase such as: "deported from France to Auschwitz and murdered."
Dr. Savel's first book is titled "Kaddish in Wood: Memorial Woodcarvings — The Children," while the second is subtitled "Ghettos, Camps, and Partisans."
The Kaddish is a Jewish prayer recited to honor the dead.
Dr. Savel learned how to carve from Karl Huttig, who'd been Elizabethtown town supervisor.
"There is the perception that Holocaust art must be dark and ugly, because the event was ugly," Dr. Savel said in an earlier interview. "My carvings are colorful because the lives of these people were beautiful.
"Only their deaths were ugly."
HONORED FOR WORK
Thirty carvings hang in Plattsburgh State's Feinberg Library.
"Kaddish," published by the Florida Holocaust Museum of St. Petersburg, Fla., honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. In addition, the museum is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides.
The museum, where many of Dr. Savel's carvings are on permanent display, honored him and Mrs. Savel with the 2011 Loebenberg Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Savel's books are available at flholocaustmuseum.org or at his office on Court Street (Route 9) in Elizabethtown.
All proceeds go to the museum.
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