By Amanda Estes
Staff Writer
Judy Faust pledged to preserve her mother’s memories in a book. Then a letter that would change both of their lives arrived in the mail.
From her stories, Judy Faust knew her mother, Trudy Faust, had fled her home in Wiener Neustadt in Nazi-occupied Austria. For six months, Trudy Faust (then Trudy Duhl), and her father stood in line, waiting for exit visas, but because Julius Duhl was born in Poland, his request was denied. Trudy Faust was able to secure passage on a ship departing Holland and she arrived in New York City in December 1938. She tried to finance her father’s escape by sending money to bribe German officials, but it was too late. In July 1942, Julius Duhl was sent to Maly Trostinets, a concentration camp east of Minsk, where he died.
Judy Faust, who lives in South Portland, said for many years her mother seemed to suffer from a form of survivor’s guilt. A book – still undergoing finishing touches – relaying her mother and grandfather’s story, “Waltzing with Papa: Three Generations to Healing,” tells of Trudy Faust’s sorrow at receiving her father’s desperate letters and the then 18-year-old’s heroic efforts to save him.
With the unexpected arrival of a letter from the Ichthys Church, located in Wiener Neustadt, Faust said she was able to witness part of her mother’s healing, more than 50 years after Julius Duhl’s death.
Sitting amidst the video production equipment at the South Portland Community Television (SPC-TV) studio in city hall, Judy Faust said she is making a film to document the week in October 1995 when her mother and other Holocaust survivors from Israel and around the United States returned to their hometown for a week of reconciliation. When finished, “Angels in Austria: The Church Who Reached Out to Holocaust Survivors,” will tell the story of the non-denominational Ichthys Church, led by Pastor Helmuth Eiwen and his wife Uli Eiwen, who contacted the survivors to ask for forgiveness.
“They were very serious about taking on the responsibility of turning around 800 years of anti-Semitism in their town,” said Judy Faust of the church’s members.
Although it wasn’t her first return visit to Austria, Judy Faust said her mother was hesitant and skeptical about the strangers who were reaching out to her. As they met the members of the church and had dinner in their homes, however, her mother was “very touched and open to the friendship these Christians offered,” Judy Faust said.
“[Uli Eiwen] was very important because she had visions that led to the creation of the church,” Judy Faust said.
Knowing it was her calling to serve the Jewish people, Uli Eiwen traveled to Israel, Judy Faust said. While kneeling in prayer in a Lutheran church, where Helmuth Eiwen was the pastor, Uli Eiwen had a violent vision. Judy Faust said Uli Eiwen saw the image of a swastika, dripping in blood, on the tile floor. The husband and wife later discovered some top officials in the church had actually embraced Hitler’s regime during the war. Helmuth Eiwen left the church and he and Uli Eiwen went on to found their own church with others who felt they couldn’t worship God without seeking forgiveness from the Jewish people, Judy Faust said.
“Not everybody was happy to see us back,” Judy Faust said, noting the group traveled with bodyguards. “But basically this was a time for friendship and love to flourish.”
The group visited synagogues, Jewish cemeteries and attended a banquet, hosted by the mayor, in the house of parliament. The group of survivors was also invited to speak to Austrian middle and high school students, who were “practically falling off of their seats” as they listened to the stories, Judy Faust said. As of 1995, Austrian students learned very little about the Holocaust, she said. The group’s desire to share personal stories with the students was even met with some opposition, Judy Faust said.  
When her mother told the story of being separated from her father, a female student began crying and ran into the bathroom, Judy Faust said. To the student, Trudy Faust said, “I want to thank you for your tears.” Although, Judy Faust couldn’t understand the words they spoke in German, she said it was an experience that would become a “big chunk of her [mother’s] healing.”
 Judy Faust said she realized in situations with victims and oppressors, the effects of the oppressor’s actions will be felt by their next generation for years to come. With her work, Judy Faust said she wants to explore the “ups and downs of finding forgiveness” – what does forgiveness entail and should one forgive?
 “Whatever you do affects others so think about what you’re doing and make it good,” Judy Faust said.
Once a “freelance” teacher specializing in art instruction for children, adults and seniors and now a budding videographer, Judy Faust has started a business called, “What’s Your Story?: Connecting History to Family Stories and the Arts.” Through outreach to schools, churches and synagogues, Judy Faust helps students connect their families’ stories to the arts and the lessons they learn in the classroom. While the business is still in its infancy, Judy Faust said she hopes to use her film to spark group discussions. In her work with schools, she said she would like to speak with students at the conclusion of their teachers’ lessons about the Holocaust because she wants to leave young people with a message of hope.
Judy Faust sang the praises of Moe Amaral and Tony Vigue of SPC-TV, who are helping her produce the film, which will air on Channel 2. She also plans to take the film on the road to libraries, schools, churches and synagogues.
“I’m carrying the torch for this generation,” she said. “They’re not going to be around much longer.”
Judy Faust said her mother, in her “youthful” 80s, is currently living in Florida.
She said her mother is delighted and grateful for her efforts to preserve her history and is happy to help with revisions as needed.
For more information about Judy Faust and “What’s Your Story?” visit www.connectyourstories.com or call 799-4715.