Holocaust survivor, Shalom Korai, now in his 80s, traveled from Israel through Charleston International Airport (CHS) to meet his American family who recently located him with the help of a DNA match on MyHeritage.com.
Korai’s story resonated with Team CHS who was privileged to provide a heartfelt sendoff when he boarded his flight back home a few days later.
Having been found wandering the Warsaw ghetto at the age of 2 and not knowing his identity, Korai was given the name Petro Korczak to protect his Jewish identity. He became one of the 100 children Lena Küchler-Silberman, a Polish member of the Jewish resistance, saved during the Holocaust. Petro was smuggled out of Poland in a potato sack and resettled in Israel, where he changed his name to Shalom Korai.
Through a DNA search, Korai was matched to his American second cousin, Ann Meddin Hellman. This information ultimately led to his visit to Hellman’s South Carolina home. She knew Korai’s family was annihilated in the Holocaust, but finding him, giving him his family name and sharing information about his ancestors was more than she ever expected.
“Introducing Shalom to four generations of the Meddin family, something many families have never experienced, was even more exhilarating,” said Hellman of the visit. “The smile on his face the whole time he was here said it all.”
The historical significance and sentiment of Korai’s trip wasn’t lost on the TSA CHS team, and they showered him and his family with care and affection befitting the moment.
“The life he has lived, from being found in a potato sack to now, and connecting with relatives he thought were all killed is so impactful. Our officers were proud to represent TSA with the screening of Shalom,” said Federal Security Director David McMahon.
Along with McMahon and his staff, Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) TSA Officers Brenda Grant, Gerald Bright and Angel Moran met Korai, his interpreter and friend, Arie Bauer, and the family with warm, genuine smiles, treating them just as they would wish to be treated in the same circumstances.
“We were totally surprised TSA made their departure such a special event,” said Hellman of the curbside to gate customer experience. “We were met at the curb and escorted to the gate so we could have more time to spend with Shalom and Arie. They took care of Shalom when he set off the (walk through metal detector) with his mechanical knee. We were spoiled by the extra special service TSA gave us.”
“Meeting Shalom Korai was a deeply humbling and emotional experience, as his resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable adversity left a profound impact on me,” said Grant, who served as lead PSS for this event. “Listening to his interpreter, Arie Bauer, and his most grateful and gracious second cousin, Ann Meddin Hellman, regarding Shalom’s firsthand account of history brought a personal connection to the past.”
“His story has touched so many officers and community members in Charleston,” said McMahon whose personal memories were stirred by Korai’s presence. “My great grandmother was a Lithuanian Jewish lady who hid her religion when she entered America via Canada because of her fear of being killed.”
McMahon presented TSA South Carolina challenge coins to Korai and Hellman, a show of honor and appreciation.
“We want Shalom to know he is respected and will always receive first class security coupled with some Southern hospitality whenever he visits Charleston,” explained McMahon, who said future reunion trips for Korai and his American family are likely.
By Karen Robicheaux, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs