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Their Stories Unbroken

Their Stories Unbroken

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 Their Stories Unbroken is a podcast that explores how The Holocaust has impacted the lives of Jewish Australians. Through long-form conversation with 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation survivors, we will not only bear witness to the experiences of those that lived through The Shoah - The Hebrew word for the Holocaust meaning catastrophe - but look to gain an insight into what it is like growing up as a descendant of survivors in the shadow of the holocaust.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • 5.2 - 'A History that Lives Within' with Caitlin Faiman

    5.2 - 'A History that Lives Within' with Caitlin Faiman
    Dec 22 2025

    This episode was recorded in September 2025, 3 months prior to the horrific terrorist attacks targeting the Jewish Community celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach on December 14. This is true for all episodes that will make up Season 1, which were all recorded prior to this tragedy. The introduction to Caity's episode was recorded after these events and as such I take some time to reflect on some of my thoughts and offer my love, sorrow and solidarity to all members of the Jewish Community. However, after the first five or so minutes of this episode, we continue with Part 2of this three part mini-series that began with Rachel Goldberg and continues today with Caity.

    Caitlin Faiman is the second child and only daughter to Rachel and Alan Goldberg. Rachel was born in Fergana, USSR in 1943, while Alan was a 4th generation Jewish Australian. Caity is a teacher at Bialik College and is Director of The Rosenkranz Centre, which focuses on enrichment and extension learning opportunities throughout the College. This includes a strong connection with Project Zero, housed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

    Before I get to the episode, I would like to ask you to please do a few things for me. Firstly, follow the podcast so you can be alerted to when a new episode comes out. Secondly, please give this podcast a review wherever you are currently listening to it. A 5 star written review goes a long way towards getting the podcast out there. Thirdly, tell friends, family and your social media networks about the podcast - I do not have social media so I am relying on you to be my messengers. Finally, please do get in touch if you have any ideas, potential guests, feedback or even opportunities to work together!

    Episode Timestamps

    Introduction – 0:00 - 7:14

    Part 1 – 7:15 - 29:40

    Part 2 – 29:41 - 59:30

    Outro – 59:31 - 61:27

    Special thanks to:

    Bialik College - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/

    Bialik College Parents Association - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/community/parents-association

    Bialik College Foundation - https://foundation.bialik.vic.edu.au/

    Yad Vashem - https://www.yadvashem.org/

    Gandel Foundation - https://gandelfoundation.org.au/

    Adam Starr - https://www.starrmusic.com.au/

    Support the Podcast

    If you enjoyed Their Stories Unbroken:

    Subscribe on your favourite podcast app Leave a review to help others discover the show Share with family, friends, and your community

    Contact me anytime: theirstoriesunbroken@gmail.com

    Podcast by Matthew Sortino Music by Adam Starr
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 5.1 - 'A Fortunate Life, Despite Profound Loss' with Rachel Goldberg

    5.1 - 'A Fortunate Life, Despite Profound Loss' with Rachel Goldberg
    Nov 30 2025
    Hello, my name is Matthew Sortino and welcome to Their Stories Unbroken. Today, I am speaking to Rachel Goldberg. Rachel was born in Fergana, Uzbekistan - which was then a part of the USSR - in 1943 to Polish Jewish parents, Eva and Nathan Rynderman. To frame some of the history of this conversation, I want to begin with a key part of the war that is often left out of history class. Many forget that the USSR or Soviet Union started as an enemy to the Allies. In 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed between Nazi Germany and the USSR which publicly declared a 10-year non-aggression treaty between the regimes, but secretly planned to divide Poland with their eventual invasions of the country. With the Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939, Eva and Nathan fled Nazi occupied Western Poland and went to Bialystok which was in Soviet occupied Eastern Poland. The two were subsequently captured as Polish, not Jewish, prisoners and sent to separate work camps in Uzbekistan. Believe it or not, Hitler was not a man of his word and he invaded the Soviet Union with Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. With the Nazi’s now an enemy of the Soviets, the USSR quickly changed sides to be a member of the Allied powers. This meant peace with Poland and the release of Polish prisoners in their territory including Eva and Nathan. Eva believed that Nathan would still be alive and that he would be trying to join General Anders' army - the Polish Armed Forces formed in the Soviet Union - which had a meeting point in Tashkent. Eva found her way onto a troop train to Tashkent and whether by luck or determination, Eva and Nathan were reunited at Tashkent Station and survived the rest of the war working in factories around Fergana, Uzbekistan - the birthplace of my guest today, Rachel Goldberg. After Allied victory in May 1945, the family made their way to Poland, then France before coming to Australia in 1948. Although it is an incredible opportunity to have these conversations, with both my guest and I often feeling quite positive afterwards, it must be recognised that these stories are profoundly tragic. Rachel’s mother Eva lost her entire family while Rachel’s father, Nathan, lost everyone except his sister, Lena. This was the reality for many European Jews. Not only were two-thirds of European Jewry killed, only one-third of survivors had another member of their family survive. Today’s story which in many ways is one of triumph, is actually a tragedy of the highest order. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to celebrate the end of the worst war of all time only to realise you are the only surviving member of your family due to a genocide. The fact that so many survivors were able to not only move on but thrive is a testament to the strength of the Jewish people. Rachel captures the duality of this reality and I am so thankful for her openness and vulnerability when sharing her story. In Part 1 of today's podcast, Rachel shares the story of her parents and her early life growing up the child of survivors. In Part 2, Rachel discusses her life, career, family and contribution. This episode is the first of a three part mini series where I speak to Caitlin Faiman, Rachel's daughter and Nathan Faiman, Rachel's Grandson. To weave together a tapestry of a family story with three generations was such a privilege and I am so lucky to be able to bring these episodes to you. Before I get to the episode, I would like to ask you to please do a few things for me. Firstly, follow the podcast so you can be alerted to when a new episode comes out. Secondly, please give this podcast a review wherever you are currently listening to it. A 5 star written review goes a long way towards getting the podcast out there. Thirdly, tell friends, family and your social media networks about the podcast - I do not have social media so I am relying on you to be my messengers. Finally, please do get in touch if you have any ideas, potential guests, feedback or even opportunities to work together! Episode Timestamps Introduction – 0:00 - 4:55 Part 1 – 4:56 - 37:58 Part 2 – 37:59 - 59:29 Outro – 59:30 - 61:22 Special thanks to: Bialik College - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/ Bialik College Parents Association - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/community/parents-association Bialik College Foundation - https://foundation.bialik.vic.edu.au/ Yad Vashem - https://www.yadvashem.org/ Gandel Foundation - https://gandelfoundation.org.au/ Adam Starr - https://www.starrmusic.com.au/ Support the Podcast If you enjoyed Their Stories Unbroken: Subscribe on your favourite podcast app Leave a review to help others discover the show Share with family, friends, and your community Contact me anytime: theirstoriesunbroken@gmail.com Podcast by Matthew Sortino Music by Adam Starr
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 4.1 - 'Defiance in the Face of Tragedy' with Dr Jack Leder

    4.1 - 'Defiance in the Face of Tragedy' with Dr Jack Leder
    Nov 15 2025

    Hello, my name is Matthew Sortino and welcome to Their Stories Unbroken.

    Today I am speaking with Dr Jack Leder - a child survivor of the Holocaust. Jack was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1939 to Austrian Jewish Parents, Richard and Hilda. Richard, Hilda and Jack’s older brother, Herbert, were forced to escape Vienna in June 1938 due to multiple incidents of antisemitism and violence culminating in the Nazi Annexation of Austria known as the Anschluss in March 1938. The family had the intention of going to England, however, as Hilda was pregnant with Jack at the time, this already dangerous trip was made impossible and they settled in Belgium. Jack’s father was subsequently interned by Belgian authorities and sent to French Internment camps.

    After the German invasion, he was transported to Auschwitz where he was murdered in 1942. The family, alongside Hilda's mother, Zirl Biber, who had now joined the family, were all forced into hiding. With false papers, smart decision making and the brave actions of various upstanders, Hilda, Jack, Herbert and Zirl were able to survive the war. They moved to Australia in 1948 where Jack fell in love with his new country and contributed beyond measure.

    Jack is a retired GP. He is married to fellow child survivor of the holocaust, Gilah, and they have two remarkable children. Jack and Gilah never cease to give back to the community and work hard to ensure the lessons they have learnt from the Holocaust can inform others to ensure hate can never take over again.

    During our conversation, Jack shares his story with openness and grace. He shares letters and journal entries from his mother and father, recounts moments of heartache and loss, describes his first memory as a 4 year old hidden in a cupboard and details the lessons he learnt from his brother to help evade the suspicions of Nazi soldiers. Jack’s love for his family shines through and the way he honours his mother throughout our conversation is simply beautiful. The legacy of Hilda is one of resilience, hope, kindness and of never giving up.

    It was a joy to meet and speak to Jack, he is a true treasure and I thank him for joining me for the podcast.

    If you are enjoying the podcast, please share it with family and friends, subscribe on your podcast player of choice and leave a review. It really helps!

    If you would like to get in touch you can reach me on theirstoriesunbroken@gmail.com

    Further Information:

    Richard Leder - Jack's father

    Hilda Leder (Biber) - Jack's Mother

    Herbert Leder - Jack's Brother

    Zirl Biber - Jack's Grandmother

    Ernst and Louis Biber - Jack's Uncles

    https://mhm.org.au/2023/01/17/meet-holocaust-survivor-jack-leder/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C2MmuaKMPkl/

    Episode Timestamps

    Introduction – 0:00 - 3:56

    Part 1 – 3:57 - 56:39

    Part 2 – 56:40 - 96:29

    Outro – 96:30 - 97:46

    Special thanks to:

    Bialik College - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/

    Bialik College Parents Association - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/community/parents-association

    Bialik College Foundation - https://foundation.bialik.vic.edu.au/

    Yad Vashem - https://www.yadvashem.org/

    Gandel Foundation - https://gandelfoundation.org.au/

    Adam Starr - https://www.starrmusic.com.au/

    Support the Podcast

    If you enjoyed Their Stories Unbroken:

    Subscribe on your favourite podcast app Leave a review to help others discover the show Share with family, friends, and your community

    Contact me anytime: theirstoriesunbroken@gmail.com

    Podcast by Matthew Sortino Music by Adam Starr
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    1 hr and 38 mins
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