The trauma of the Holocaust can haunt generations, and many people are reluctant to confront the painful memories associated with it. This period remains one of the most terrifying in history.
It’s only after World War II that survivors begin to come to terms with their past experiences.
Lionel Rossler, 55, from Rebeq, Belgium, endured Nazi persecution during World War II alongside his 85-year-old father, David, and his mother, Haja Sura Zoltak.
David Rossler, born in 1938 as David Langa, adopted his stepfather’s surname after his stepfather survived Auschwitz. Following their time in Brussels, Belgium, the Jewish community faced increasing persecution and suffering.
After being arrested by the Nazi forces, his father and uncle never saw each other again. From the moment the Nazis began their persecution of Jews, they had to move to different locations in a desperate attempt to survive.
Despite the devastation, his mother and young David were fortunate to find temporary refuge in a Catholic convent. In 1994, Georges Bourlet from Auderghem, Brussels, and his two young children—Paul, Jacques, Anne-Marie, and Christiane—also survived the Nazis.
At just five years old, David played a key role in rescuing Lionel’s father and grandmother. Due to his bravery and compassion, Lionel was later able to rescue his children and his brother.
After the war, they lost touch with the Bourlets and moved to Austria following David’s mother’s remarriage.
Lionel, who wanted to honor his father’s legacy and the harsh conditions they endured, began searching for his family to express his gratitude.
His family included a father, two daughters, and two sons from the Bourlet family. His search proved successful in January 2022 when he posted a request for assistance in French on Facebook.
Upon seeing Lionel’s post, Marie Cappart, a genealogist and manager at MyHeritage.com in Belgium, was eager to assist with the important search.
Marie utilized the 16 billion records in the online archives to locate the descendants of the Bourlet family, including a grandson. While searching records from 1929 for Anne-Marie Bourlet, born in Auderghem, Marie discovered that Anne-Marie Bourlet had five children and was married to someone with the surname Dedoncker.
Marie successfully located and contacted Xavier, the grandson of Georges Bourlet, who was already somewhat familiar with the story.
Through this connection, Marie also discovered that David and his mother, who lived in Auderghem, were related to Georges Bourlet’s family.
Lionel and Marie decided to revisit the house where David had been sheltered and reunite with everyone.
Two months after the Facebook post, David and his son Lionel came together with the Georges Bourlet family in the same house where they had been protected 80 years earlier.
It was an incredibly emotional day as Lionel visited the place where his father had been protected from the German Nazis for years.
Lionel described this moment as an extraordinary triumph, with a sense of fulfillment that is hard to put into words.
MyHeritage later produced a YouTube video in French, with English subtitles, recounting this story.
Years later, David remains deeply thankful to the Bourlet family for their role in saving his and his mother’s lives.
David, who fondly remembers Mr. Bourlet, expresses with tears in his eyes that he owes his survival to them and feels both happy and proud.
Thanks to the Rosslers, David not only learned about his grandfather’s life and heroism but also the full story of the Bourlet family.
Marie, in tribute to her grandfather and her husband’s grandfather—both victims of the wars—was grateful for the opportunity to help reunite the families.
Marie humbly noted that Georges Bourlet’s bravery in saving an entire family was unparalleled.
The Rosslers are encouraging people to refer cases to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
In tribute to Georges Bourlet’s actions, Lionel remarked that saving a single Jewish life reflects a commitment to safeguarding all of humanity. Bourlet’s bravery extended life to nine additional people.
The pivotal moment in Lionel Rossler’s life was the day his family was rescued by Georges Bourlet.
Exploring your family history can bring new hope, offer fresh perspectives, and provide valuable insights into your future.
Lionel also emphasizes the importance of preserving such opportunities for Holocaust survivors, who are rapidly dwindling.
