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Writing and Researching
On the Run in Nazi Berlin


After safely arriving in Atlanta, continuing his education, beginning his profession, and marrying the woman who he would love for 65 years, Bert spoke very little of his experiences between the years of 1942-1949, including to his wife and children. It was on a family trip with cousin Dov Levin and his wife Bilah in Destin, Florida, 1980, that Bert first spoke at length — Dov relentlessly asked questions, and they recorded the interview on cassette tapes. For nearly a decade, that was the end of it. In 1993, after the birth of her first daughter, Bev Saltzman Lewyn initiated the challenging process of interview and research that would eventually culminate in the first publication of On the Run in Nazi Berlin in spring of 2001. This gallery seeks to preserve selected images and documents from the lengthy process that made this book possible.

January 1, 1994 — Bert poses with the first set of edited manuscripts and research. Early sketches of the key Bert fabricated from a piece of lead pipe, instrumental in his escape from a makeshift Gestapo prison. A handwritten list of the Kovno Levin/Lewin family tree Early, handwritten notes about Bert's childhood in Berlin (1/5). Early, handwritten notes about Bert's childhood in Berlin (2/5) Early, handwritten notes about Bert's childhood in Berlin (3/5)" Of note, here Bert writes about his father Leopold's business being attacked on Kristallnacht, shortly after which it was taken from him without compensation. Early, handwritten notes about Bert's childhood in Berlin (4/5) Early, handwritten notes about Bert's childhood in Berlin (5/5) A later look at process: stacks of binders and folder, containing interview transcriptions, drafts, and other research papers. (2/26/2001) Manuscript excerpt that was cut from the final book: Bert relays a dream he had about his parents (the first time in 50 years that he dreamt about them), as well as some question and response with Bev about his memory, the impact of being orphaned on his own fatherhood, and his ways of coping with the trauma (1/2). Manuscript excerpt that was cut from the final book: Bert relays a dream he had about his parents (the first time in 50 years that he dreamt about them), as well as some question and response with Bev about his memory, the impact of being orphaned on his own fatherhood, and his ways of coping with the trauma (2/2).