HOST JACKIE TANTILLO - Holocaust Survivor And Force Of Nature With Guest Attorney Jonathan Ramsfelder

Ruth was one year old when she and her family arrived in the United States from Wertheim am Main, Germany in 1938 according to Jonathan Ramsfelder, Ruth's son. A time of confusion, despair and relief,  yet so much regret for members of her  family that were left behind to the inevitable Nazi genocide of European Jews.  Ruth was the last Jewish baby born in Wertheim am Main.

Ruth's family was upper middle class cattle dealers in Germany yet once in the US, they lived in poverty and worked whatever jobs they could to provide for the family including manuel labor as  maids, painters, dishwashers, etc. "Regardless of their hardship, they were loving and sought happiness," declares Ramsfelder.  " Mom grew up in  a very structured environment while being raised by two traumatized refugees." Jonathan continues with wonder as he shares the stories that have been repeated to him over the years. He's amazed at how his "maternal grandparents were lovely and embracing of life," in spite of their hardships. "The family educated themselves and embraced each other," continues Jonathan. 

Ruth went to school through high school and her son feels that she's one of the most intelligent people he knows. Had she been born at a different time, Jonathan believes that she would have been able to accomplish great things and work at a Fortune 500 company and more. 

Even though her son knows that "his mom suffered from her past, she was often demonstrating gratitude and contentment-they are my mom's hallmarks."  

According to Jonathan, "Ruth is his role model and she's very instrumental in him becoming who he is today. She's outgoing and loves to meet people, she's put together cognitively, a reader of people and great at getting advice- not a judge of people." 

Ruth was steadfast in her optimistic ways, bound to be grateful and appreciative as well as inquisitive. Jonathan knew from an early age that based on his parents past and the trauma they had endured, he would never be able to disappoint them. Instead he says "that he used his parents experience as a source of encouragement  and ambition."

So many wonderful life lessons to learn from my conversation with Jonathan about his  mother, Ruth. You can't ever give up hope in humanity  is one  of my take aways.

There's so much more to this story so please listen to the episode and I've also attached Jonathan Ramsfelder's story 

that he posted on LInkedIn  in honor of his mother on Holocaust Remembrance Day 2022:

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This is a photo of me and my mom, Ruth Ramsfelder, the last Jewish person born in her home town of Wertheim am Main, Germany. Tonight and tomorrow mark Holocaust Remembrance Day or, in Hebrew, Yom Hashoah.

This is a photo of a Holocaust survivor and her son, myself, a product of two refugees who experienced childhood trauma through persecution, dislocation, the murder of their family members and, upon arriving in the U.S. in 1938 and 1939 (my mom and my dad, respectively) poverty.

This is a photo of a woman who didn't have the opportunity to advance her education beyond high school but who is one of the most intelligent people (IQ and EQ) I have ever met.

Resilience, positive outlook, compassion for others, kindness and good decision making are her signature attributes, along with networking and relationship‐building skills that could have catapulted her to the top of the corporate ladder had she been born 60 years later and not in a country bent on marginalizing (and ultimately exterminating) all of its Jewish citizens.

This is a photo that proves that Hitler lost, the Jewish People are still here and that we will continue on.

This is a photo of the last Jewish baby born in Wertheim am Main.

Never forget.

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers and the roles they play in our lives. And my guests answer the question, 'are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother'? You'll be amazed at what the responses are.

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal relationships with their mother.

Some of my guests include Baritone Singer Christopheren Nomura, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Tim Wacker, Activist Kim Miller, Freighter Sea Captain Terry Viscount, Film Production Manager Peg Robinson, Professor of Writing Montclair State University Dr. Bridget Brown, Tammy Steckler, attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter Mark Heingartner, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Maryellen Valyo Cole and Roger Evens, Property Manager in New Jersey and so many more talented and insightful women and men.

I've worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. I've interviewed so many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.

A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created my logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".

Check out my website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/

Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo

Find audio versions of the podcast here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

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Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

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