Miraculous Escape: Holocaust Survivor Evades War in Israel

Charlotte Hauptman described that Saturday morning as a sudden shift from joy to terror. "Not only did we hear the explosions, but we also discovered that Hamas had invaded the country. We were unaware of their whereabouts or their identities," she recounted.

Her immediate reaction was to flee. At 84 years old, Charlotte possesses a diminutive figure, yet her eyes sparkle with vitality. Her hair is tied back, and her straightforward manner of speaking matches her appearance. "During those hours, a relentless panic consumed us," she shared with CNN, having safely returned to her home in Southern California after leaving Jerusalem. "I am not afraid of death itself, but of the potential horrors preceding it."

Hauptman, a Holocaust survivor, found herself fleeing persecution for the second time. In 2023, as an elderly woman, she escaped from Hamas in Israel by boarding a plane. However, her experience of fleeing as a small child from the Nazis in Italy in 1944, on foot, still remains vivid in her memory.

Reflecting on the Holocaust, Hauptman acknowledges the profound impact it has had on her identity. "It undoubtedly molds one's core," she states. "You become intimately acquainted with the potential for unimaginable horrors." The haunting memories of her perilous escape continue to resonate with Hauptman to this day.

"Two Nazi officers approached us," she remembers. The family was only a short distance away from safety, as they were nearing the part of Italy that was occupied by the Allies. "They greeted us with 'Heil Hitler!' and we instinctively raised our hands in response. They continued on their way, and we continued on ours. Just a few steps away, there was a Madonna statue. We immediately dropped to the ground, fearing that they might turn back and notice us."

The Holocaust stands as the most devastating chapter in the long history of Jewish persecution and pogroms. Since then, October 7, 2023 has tragically become the deadliest day for Jews.

"Lets book a flight with any airline that offers destinations worldwide!" was the discussion Hauptman had with her daughter that morning. "And as soon as we boarded the plane, we were immediately filled with excitement and readiness. Then, to our surprise, they began offering seats and upgrades! At that moment, we both thought, Let's just go, let's just go!"

A trip to reunite with a family who saved them

Charlotte Hauptman visited Israel recently during her travels. The highlight of her trip, however, was attending a wedding in Italy. The bride, Myriam Lanternari, happens to be the great-granddaughter of an Italian couple named Virgilio and Daria Virgili. Hauptman attributes her own and her parents' survival over 80 years ago to the couple, who had provided them with refuge from the Nazis in a small village called Secchiano.

"Virgilio took us into his home and sheltered us, providing food and a safe haven," Hauptman recalled. "I knew better than to engage with any Germans, especially with their presence in the village." Hauptman and her parents had been in danger due to the nearby Nazi garrison.

"I have vivid memories of leaflets being parachuted down from German airplanes, explicitly cautioning the populace about the dire consequences awaiting anyone providing assistance to Jews or Partisans," recounted Hauptman. "Remarkably, nobody ever betrayed our whereabouts; they remained steadfastly committed to safeguarding us."

Old family photos are seen at Charlotte Hauptman's home. She escaped the Holocaust as a child.

Elizabeth Weinberg for CNN

The villagers created a fabricated tale as a precautionary measure, in case any Germans decided to inquire, Hauptman remembers. According to the story, her parents, Wolf and Esther, would pretend to be mute laborers toiling in the field. Meanwhile, Charlotte would immerse herself in the group of kids enjoying their playtime on the street.

"I was aware that our lives were at risk," she mentions. "However, during periods of relative calm, I had the opportunity to experience childhood. The Italian community played a pivotal role in allowing me to do so. I always felt cherished. My parents. The villagers. It was a constant source of warmth."

Another Jewish family resided in the vicinity of Cagli, in close proximity to a German garrison. These two families would occasionally gather together. "There came a time when we were no longer able to visit them," Hauptman reveals, "as they were apprehended and tragically perished."

After the arrival of British forces in Italy, the Germans grew increasingly apprehensive and distrustful. "If it was even possible, the village became more perilous," Hauptman remarks. "In light of this, Virgilio Virgili made the decision to lead us towards the region already occupied by the Allies."

Virgilio and his young daughter Mercedes escorted Charlotte and her family to safety, standing strong beside the fleeing Jewish group as they all knelt before the Madonna, masquerading as a united front of devout Italian Catholics. Their ruse proved successful.

However, upon their return to the village, Virgilio found himself apprehended by the Nazis. "Virgilio was apprehended by the Nazis, enduring days of captivity and torture," Hauptman recounted. Mercedes was by her father's side when the Nazis appeared. "They came, seized him, and forcefully escorted him into a Jeep. Mercedes clung onto him, weeping, until they struck her hands in an effort to make her release her grip." Despite the horrors inflicted upon him, Virgilio never admitted guilt and was eventually set free.

Charlotte Hauptman and Mercedes Virgili remained lifelong friends. Their children are friends. Their grandchildren are friends.

A photo of Mercedes Virgili, left, and Charlotte Hauptman is seen on Hauptman's phone. The framed photo is on display in the Virgili family home in Secchiano, Italy.

Elizabeth Weinberg for CNN

Born in the middle of war

"I was born November 25, 1938, right in the middle of it," says Hauptman, matter-of-factly.

Esther Fullenbaum, faced with a grim future, considered terminating her pregnancy. However, she ultimately chose not to and would later credit her daughter, Charlotte, with saving her life through a timely fainting episode.

This particular incident became a significant part of their family's history. In Hanover, where they resided, the Gestapo, the clandestine police force of Nazi Germany, had begun rounding up Jews. While heavily pregnant, Esther happened to be at her sister's apartment when the Gestapo arrived at their door. Esther fainted at that moment, causing the Gestapo to leave her behind. Sadly, she never reunified with her sister or brother-in-law, who tragically perished in the concentration camps.

Esther escaped to Milan, where her husband Wolf was employed. Hauptman reveals, "I was born merely 10 days after her arrival."

The family resided there until a tragic event occurred: the Jews in Italy were apprehended and transported to concentration camps. The Fullenbaums were relocated to one situated in Calabria, a region in southern Italy. Due to overcrowding, they were ultimately sent to reside with a family near Venice.

They were legally obligated to report to the police every week and adhere to a curfew, causing fear to intensify within Charlotte. Recalling a traumatic incident, she vividly remembers crouching under the table one night, sobbing uncontrollably. When her concerned mother inquired about her distress, Charlotte expressed her deepest fear, exclaiming, "I'm crying because I'm terrified of losing both of you and being left all alone."

Shortly thereafter, Italian police officers arrived with a grave warning. They conveyed that the following day, the family was scheduled to be apprehended and transported to Auschwitz. Urgently, they advised Charlotte and her loved ones to depart promptly, evading capture by leaving before curfew and disappearing without a trace.

Years later, the family discovered a telegram that had been sent by the Italian police to their German oppressors the following day. The telegram simply stated, "THEY WERE NOT THERE. DESTINATION UNKNOWN."

After this revelation, Charlotte, who was just a young child at the time, and her parents were forced to go into hiding. Thankfully, they found refuge and protection with the Partisans, who eventually led Charlotte's family to Secchiano and the Virgilis.

Charlotte Hauptman shows off her mother's ring, which was returned to her years after her family traded it for food in Italy.

"This is not merely my story, but also theirs," Hauptman asserts. Although her parents faced financial hardships, they managed to purchase food, often from the miller's wife in their village. However, their limited resources eventually ran out. Thankfully, the miller's wife proposed a solution - in exchange for Esther's wedding band, the family could receive an abundance of food. Hauptman emphasizes, "She was preserving my mother's dignity, enabling her to obtain sustenance without feeling ashamed."

Years later, as Hauptman resided in Los Angeles, a phone call from a couple of Italian descent in San Francisco reached her. Recently, the couple had embarked on their honeymoon in Secchiano and coincidentally encountered the son of the miller. He entrusted them with a ring, urging them to locate its true owner in America. Hauptman, still wearing the ring, conveyed this tale to CNN, marveling at the Italians' ingenuity in successfully tracking her down in LA.

A mother-daughter trip to Israel turns into fleeing for safety

After the Virgili family wedding in Italy, Hauptman and her daughter, Michele Goldman, flew straight to Israel.

Hauptman and I had discussed this years ago, the idea of embarking on a mother and daughter trip. Our intention was to strengthen our bond, and indeed it was a fulfilling experience. However, everything turned grim when a wave of terror ensued, forcing her to flee for her life once again.

Terror struck as Hamas militants infiltrated into Israel from Gaza, ruthlessly claiming the lives of 1,400 Israelis and capturing approximately 100 to 200 individuals as hostages. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a relentless offensive against Hamas in Gaza, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of over 4,000 Palestinians.

"We were enjoying breakfast at the hotel when the unexpected happened. We had pre-booked a tour to Bethlehem and Jerusalem," recounted Hauptman. "All of a sudden, the alarms started blaring, and as I glanced at the expressions on the faces of the locals, I could sense their overwhelming panic."

Unbeknownst to Hauptman at that moment, her daughter was gripped by fear internally. "Having lost her husband five years ago when their sons were still young, she later confided in me that her thoughts were consumed by one plea: Please, don't let my boys endure the loss of another parent."

Even in the calm of Southern California, Hauptman admits to never feeling completely secure. "Antisemitism is always present, although it may temporarily lie low. It follows a cyclical pattern," she remarks. "We should not deceive ourselves. Our current situation can change within an hour."

According to Hauptman, the phrase "Never Again" regarding the Holocaust often receives mere lip service. "It remains a mere aspiration," she asserts. Additionally, Hauptman holds little hope for immediate peace in the Middle East. "As long as there are individuals who seek to destroy Israel and eliminate the Jewish people," she laments, "I find it difficult to envision such a reality."

Hauptman also cant imagine returning to Israel. Not yet. "But I do want to get over this enough," she says. "Enough to go back."