An Incredible Journey

I dedicate this book to my son Leslie, because he agreed to travel with me to Shanghai, Bogota, and my birthplace Gumbinnen, otherwise this book would never have been written. Now he knows my background, and he can answer any questions his children and future grandchildren may have.

Many American friends asked me about my past when they heard my German accent, and when I told my story they would say, ´write a book!´ so finally I did. I wish I could thank many people for helping me to write it, but sadly they have all died, including my wife Erica. She encouraged me to keep writing, and she read, reread and corrected every page. Without her, I would not have finished the book.


I enjoy telling my story at the 92nd Street Y or the Witness Theater or to whomever wants to hear it. I feel like it is my duty to educate people about the Jews of Shanghai during World War II. I am grateful to have had the life I had, which was not a conventional one, but I know I was loved, first by my parents, and then by my step-parents. I am fortunate to have had wonderful friends and a successful business and to have found Erica, to whom I was married for fifty years. I take immense pleasure in Leslie´s family. I am grateful to Margie. I play tennis, I stay well, and I pray every day. I continue to try to do good in the world. And I always tell my two grandchildren, ´if I didn't end up in Shanghai I would not be here today and neither would you...´ (Jerry Lindenstraus)