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Zvi: The Miraculous Story of Triumph Over the Holocaust
For more than half a century ZVI has endured as the best-selling book produced by The Friends of Israel. Millions of people have been touched by this story of a World War II waif in Warsaw, Poland. As a 10-year-old Jewish boy, Zvi was separated from his parents and forced to face the trials of survival in Adolph Hitler's crazed world. How he triumphed against all odds and found his way to Israel and faith in the Messiah is one of the greatest stories of our time. Now ZVI and the sequel, ZVI AND THE NEXT GENERATION, are combined in a new book, THE MIRACULOUS STORY OF TRIUMPH OVER THE HOLOCAUST. The whole story—together at last and updated with new information that will thrill your heart. This is a book you will find difficult to lay down. (5 1/2 x 8 1/2)
347 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 1978
32 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
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July 13, 2023It took me extra time to read Zvi's story, because nearly anytime he shared the Gospel I would start to tear up, so I would put the book down, and do something else.
September 13, 2019
This was truly a great book. It is the story of how a young boy from Poland survived the Second World War, made his way to Israel and became a tremendous witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is full of drama, intrigue, and bravery. I highly recommend it.
January 1, 2020
I'm rating this 3 starts because I don't have the heart to only give it 2. The first 1/3 of this book was amazing and I couldn't put it down...unfortunately after that the rest of the book pretty much was all about his experiences in various wars during the remainder of his life and it was so boring I nearly couldn't finish it. This man lives a great life and I'm glad his story was shared, but I feel like the last half droned on.
October 15, 2023
Heart rending book with a beautiful ending! Zvi’s story gives a glimpse into what some, even children, went through in WWII, but also displays the redemptive power of God.
February 23, 2022
I have read this great biography at least 3 times. It is fascinating in it's account of an individual who survived the Holocaust and the birth of the nation of Israel. Well written, intensely readable, historically accurate and exciting. Highly recommended.
May 26, 2020
A very thought-provoking, sobering biography. A friend of mine loaned it to me; I don’t usually read nonfiction. It’s the true story of a boy named Henryk Weichert (later renamed Zvi in the Hebrew) who survived the Holocaust in Poland during World War II. Because he had white-blond hair and didn’t look typically “Jewish,” his parents were able to place him in an orphanage when he was ten for his supposed safety before they and his younger sister were sent to the Warsaw Ghetto. After the orphanage became shut down, he bounced from one terrifying experience to another, living on his own while trying to avoid starvation while experiencing the horrors of war and the depravity of men. The void he felt in his life became filled when he settled in Israel and was given a New Testament Bible one day. He read how Jesus lived and was treated as a Jew. Not having grown up with a traditional Jewish religious background, Zvi was easily able to see how the Old Testament prophecies and passages of the Bible meshed with the life and words of Jesus the Messiah. Zvi found fulfillment in his newfound belief, and realized it was God who’d helped him survive all those brutal, war-torn years. A story of hope and healing.
May 15, 2023
Henryk Wiechert was 10 years old when his mother left him in an orphanage in Warsaw, Poland. He never saw her again. It was a protective measure taken by his family so that he might survive. The Nazis had taken Warsaw, and things were getting bad for Jews. Henryk was a Polish Jew but had blond hair and blue eyes, so his looks would not betray him. His mother’s last words were to never tell anyone he was a Jew. The story is about his survival.
Henryk has numerous escapes from death. He originally thinks he is clever and lucky, but he later comes to understand it is God Who has protected him all that time. That realization comes later when he is in his early twenties. The story has a good pace to it; Henryk moves about some but stays in Poland until after the war. His three older brothers were sent to Germany to work in a labor camp. That was the last the family knew of them. His parents and younger sister were put in the Warsaw ghetto and disappeared. Henryk was left alone in the world with no family. After the war he searches for his parents and siblings, but he can never find anything about them.
He determines to go to Israel. There are issues with that journey as well since Palestine was a British protectorate and was allowing only limited migration. The ship he is on is captured by the British, so he and the others on the boat are put into a camp on the island of Cyprus. However, Israel becomes a state, so he and others are allowed to go to Israel. Once there he takes the name Zvi because it is a new place and a new beginning, so a new Hebrew name is appropriate. He becomes a soldier primarily by necessity, and again the Lord spares his life although many around him fall in the early battles. Once the initial wars are over, he goes into construction and makes a living in that trade.
His spiritual life is a slow dawning. His family was not religious; they were just Jews by birth. He knew nothing of God or the synagogue or anything about religion. In Haifa he gets a Jewish Bible, which is only the Old Testament. Later he gets a New Testament. Reading those two, he gets some answers to his questions and becomes convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. That creates problems for him in Israel, but God is gracious. He finds a young woman, a Persian Jew, and they eventually wed and have children. It is a good story with a happy ending. Henryk, now Zvi, is a survivor by God’s grace, and he now knows it.
Henryk has numerous escapes from death. He originally thinks he is clever and lucky, but he later comes to understand it is God Who has protected him all that time. That realization comes later when he is in his early twenties. The story has a good pace to it; Henryk moves about some but stays in Poland until after the war. His three older brothers were sent to Germany to work in a labor camp. That was the last the family knew of them. His parents and younger sister were put in the Warsaw ghetto and disappeared. Henryk was left alone in the world with no family. After the war he searches for his parents and siblings, but he can never find anything about them.
He determines to go to Israel. There are issues with that journey as well since Palestine was a British protectorate and was allowing only limited migration. The ship he is on is captured by the British, so he and the others on the boat are put into a camp on the island of Cyprus. However, Israel becomes a state, so he and others are allowed to go to Israel. Once there he takes the name Zvi because it is a new place and a new beginning, so a new Hebrew name is appropriate. He becomes a soldier primarily by necessity, and again the Lord spares his life although many around him fall in the early battles. Once the initial wars are over, he goes into construction and makes a living in that trade.
His spiritual life is a slow dawning. His family was not religious; they were just Jews by birth. He knew nothing of God or the synagogue or anything about religion. In Haifa he gets a Jewish Bible, which is only the Old Testament. Later he gets a New Testament. Reading those two, he gets some answers to his questions and becomes convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. That creates problems for him in Israel, but God is gracious. He finds a young woman, a Persian Jew, and they eventually wed and have children. It is a good story with a happy ending. Henryk, now Zvi, is a survivor by God’s grace, and he now knows it.
February 10, 2018
Amazing story of a beautiful life. A mind shaped by survival through continuous hardship and uNbearable losses bring realization that it is not his ability or skill that has repeatedly delivered him through impossible odds. This Non-religious Jew begins to read the New Testament and finds new life in someone he wasn’t even looking for With the content itself being his only instruction he finds much more than many who have years of formal instruction. He finds purpose, perseverance, patience, and compassion and lives his later years sharing he invitation to lasting peace regardless of circumstances. Inspiring book.
April 19, 2019
I learnt quite a lot from this book. I didn’t know a lot about what happened to Jews that hadn’t been taken to the Nazi camps and I didn’t realise the persecution that occurred after the war was over either. This was a well written account of a Jewish survivor of not only one war but also more in his beloved new land of Israel. He continued to suffer persecution when he became a Christian at the hands of his own people. I’m really glad it was given to me to read.
December 17, 2018
4 stars because of the extensive history lesson that is interwoven into the 2nd part of the book. For history buffs or for those trying to understand Israel's history post 1948 this is a must read. I loved the biographical account of Zvi's life. It is a page turner. Nothing like seeing God's deliverance of a young man and seeing him come to realize who did it.
May 10, 2021
An unapologetic narrative on an extraordinary Jewish individual who survived Hitler's rule as a child, then arriving in Israel to participate in its defense and growth into the modern nation we know today.
Along the way, Zvi becomes a Christian, accepting that Jesus is the Jewish messiah ... The tale thus expands into culture, belief, tolerance and character.
Along the way, Zvi becomes a Christian, accepting that Jesus is the Jewish messiah ... The tale thus expands into culture, belief, tolerance and character.
June 25, 2023
What a powerful and amazing story from start to finish. Not only is this a deeply moving story of a young boy being the sole survivor of his family, and then going on to becoming a believer in Christ Jesus, this is also a bit of history of the state of Israel. I found this to be very moving and also and enlightening, and a book to learn from as well. Loved it.
February 10, 2020
To my shame, I had no idea how much struggle and warfare the Jewish people endured to retain and establish their own nation and national identity in the early days of their resettlement; and all this on the heels of the Holocaust. This book is worth the read.
January 5, 2023
Such an inspiring account! Challenges me to be a faithful witness to Jesus in all circumstances, and also was very interesting to read about the family’s experience living in Israel throughout many military conflicts. Praise God for his faithful church!
July 8, 2017
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I prefer nonfiction and biographies. This book was spellbinding, esp. being a true story. You won't be disappointed!
May 11, 2020
This booked made me cry, and encouraged me to look at things from a different perspective. A very well written book, and packed full of raw history.
July 12, 2020
Highly recommend. A fascinating true-life account of survival in Poland during WWII and the formation of Israel as a nation from the eyes of a young soldier. Zvi had a truly remarkable life.
October 31, 2022
Story of a Jewish boy who lived through Haulicaust and even accepted Christ in time.
January 1, 2023
Well worth the read.
March 25, 2023
Powerful story of a orphan boy's difficult journey through life, and then his final arrive in Israel. A miraculous account of God's guidance as he becomes a husband, a father and a leader.
April 14, 2023
An amazing book and an amazing story. I met with Zvi in Jerusalem—a time I'll never forget. His story and testimony inspired me to write my "Promise of Zion" series for young readers.
May 30, 2025
Powerful story and testimony to God's protection and love! I do find some of the writing a bit dry, however. The story would have been more engaging and exciting with more dialogue.
November 3, 2016
Zvi is the biography of a man that is a survivor of the Holocaust. The War found him and his family in 1939 in Warsaw at the age of 10. Although he is Jewish he has the coloring to pass as German so his mom decides it might help him survive by dropping him off at an orphanage. While he is at the orphanage his family and the rest of his Jewish neighbors are rounded up and sent to "live" in the ghettos. In less than five months 250,000 people of the Jewish faith from Warsaw will be killed.
Quote from Chapter Five.
By mid-July, 1942, Heinrick Himmler, who was in charge of implementing Hitler's Final Solution, decided that the tenacious Jews in Warsaw were not starving to death fast enough to suit his timetable. Consequently, he issued a directive ordering the massive "resettlement" of ghetto Jews. By year's end, approximately three hundred ten thousand Jewish people had been "resettled" in the gas chambers of Treblinka, in preparation for "processing" their remains into fertilizer, soap, hair mattresses and other ghoulish products created by the Third Reich masterminds. Only sixty thousand remained in the ghetto in the beginning of 1943.
Quote from Chapter Five.
By mid-July, 1942, Heinrick Himmler, who was in charge of implementing Hitler's Final Solution, decided that the tenacious Jews in Warsaw were not starving to death fast enough to suit his timetable. Consequently, he issued a directive ordering the massive "resettlement" of ghetto Jews. By year's end, approximately three hundred ten thousand Jewish people had been "resettled" in the gas chambers of Treblinka, in preparation for "processing" their remains into fertilizer, soap, hair mattresses and other ghoulish products created by the Third Reich masterminds. Only sixty thousand remained in the ghetto in the beginning of 1943.
December 31, 2010
This is probably not the kind of book you "really like"... it is the true story of a Holocaust survivor, the story starts when Zvi is only 10 years old and is seperated from his parents, a gruesome life follows.
Although not eloquently written, the book is so full of facts and unbelievable events that you keep reading. It gives a lot of information on Jewish history, on the establishment of Israel and on military happenings over the years. A very interesting read. A must read for those who wish to understand why it is so difficult for Jewish people to believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah!
Although not eloquently written, the book is so full of facts and unbelievable events that you keep reading. It gives a lot of information on Jewish history, on the establishment of Israel and on military happenings over the years. A very interesting read. A must read for those who wish to understand why it is so difficult for Jewish people to believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah!
September 29, 2014
Writers of fiction would feel that a character such as Zvi would be stretching miracles too far. Surely, "indestructible" Jews did not exist during the Holocaust. As a young boy he survived, and as a man, he went on to work forty years defusing Arab mine fields! Later, after his soldier days, a miraculous recovery stunned physicians. He was not suppose to return to normal after being artificially resuscitated. Zvi's Creator writes factual, unbelievable biographies and laughs at
impossibilities!
impossibilities!
June 7, 2012
Zvi is one of the best biographies I have ever read. Vivid pictures of his growing up in Poland, experiencing the holocaust as a child, being present at the rebirth of Israel and its subsequent wars, and coming to faith in and sharing Jesus Christ will hold their impression on me for a lifetime. Zvi is a "must read" for everyone.
July 24, 2014
I love the way this story ties together one man's experience of the holocaust and his life in Israel afterwards. I have a deeper appreciation for what the Jewish people have accomplished despite constant opposition and odds that are not in their favor. A great read- especially for anyone with an interest inthe modern history of the Middle East.
December 7, 2015
A Docudrama of inspiration and excellence
Inspiring nonfiction written to capture and hold heart and mind spellbound. Don't be afraid that it's"religious". The history is captivating and the characters are vivid.
Inspiring nonfiction written to capture and hold heart and mind spellbound. Don't be afraid that it's"religious". The history is captivating and the characters are vivid.
December 6, 2015
An incredible, encouraging record of God's hand in the life of Zvi. I have read this to the family multiple times and have followed Zvi's articles in 'Israel My Glory' magazine. Still enjoy the reprints of his witness since Zvi's death. A powerful book of the power of God in one man's life.
November 12, 2015
A captivating story. It is heart wrenching and up lifting. It is only 4 stars because the writing is simplistic; yet it makes for rapid reading. I appreciated how the big picture got presented for Israel becoming a nation. Yet when details were given the story still flowed fast.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews