'A Blessing, Not a Burden'

Nov. 27—For the past few years, Alex Kor had been talking about writing a book dedicated to his late parents — Holocaust survivors Eva and Mickey Kor — as part of his effort to continue their legacy.

He shared with his good friend, Graham Honaker, that he especially wanted people to know more about his father's story.

Mickey Kor survived nearly four years of forced labor in a series of Nazi labor and concentration camps.

A few months ago, Honaker asked Alex when he planned to write the book, and Alex said he'd been too busy. At that point, Honaker — who has co-written two other books — told Alex, "I'll email you some questions."

As of today, "A Blessing, Not a Burden," is about three-fourths complete and scheduled for release in spring, hopefully by Mother's Day, Alex Kor says.

Kor and Honaker are co-writing the book. According to a description by Honaker, in the book:

"We detail Alex's incredibly journey, from his unique upbringing to his present-day mission of carrying on his parents' inspiring legacy.

"From his mother's controversial stance on forgiving the Nazis to his is father's unbridled optimism, Alex shares life lessons that have helped him overcome his own hardships, including a battle with cancer, along the way. He also offers his own perspective of forgiveness as he nurtures his legacy in a world still fraught with discrimination."

Honaker and Kor have known each other for about 10 years.

"I think it's going to be incredible," Kor said in an interview. "I think it's going to be a really special dedication to my parents — a lot of stories people don't know."

It's also going to be about Alex Kor's experiences growing up in Terre Haute and his own experiences with antisemitism.

In recent years, antisemitism has again reared its ugly head and now, he said, it's been exacerbated by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and resulting war.

Kor is often asked how his parents would have reacted to Oct. 7.

"Every day I think about my parents and I wish they were still here, but with what happened Oct. 7, I'm glad they are not here because I don't think they would have dealt with it very well at all," Kor said. "It would have put their lives in so much turmoil. It would have brought back so many bad memories, for both of them."

At a time when some question if the Holocaust even happened, he hopes the book will enlighten them. "My parents are living proof. I'm living proof," he said. "For numerous reasons I think the story is important to be told."

Hate continues to become a bigger and bigger problem, he said. "We're all part of the human race and we need to embrace our diversity instead of turning people away at the door because they are a different color, different race, or different religion."

The book won't be all serious. It will include some humorous incidents, including when his mom first came to America with limited English skills, while his dad had limited Hebrew language skills.

In reading the book, "I want people to hopefully be inspired, motivated, to laugh, to cry," he said.

Many people suffer from depression, and he hopes his parents' story may be able to help them.

"If my parents can survive what they've been through, whatever you're dealing with, hopefully you can gain some inspiration by reading a book like this that hopefully maybe changes your life," Kor said.

It is the third book project for Honaker, who works in University Advancement at Butler University.

Honaker is best friends with Alex and knew his parents, "but there was so much I didn't know," he said. The Kors loved Terre Haute but were subject to many acts of antisemitism in the 1970s which he was not aware of.

He had been aware of Alex's battle with testicular cancer but had no idea how serious his prognosis was and how his parents, specifically his mother, helped support him by using their own examples of overcoming adversity.

"Most significantly, I was reminded of how truly remarkable the Kor family story is. Against all odds, they overcame and persevered. Their account is one of the most fascinating and inspiring stories I've ever studied," Honaker said. "I believe the readers will find great inspiration in the book and hope it touches them as much as it has for me in co-authoring the project."

The book's title is, "A Blessing Not a Burden: My Parents' Remarkable Holocaust Story and My Fight to Keep Their Legacy Alive."

Those interested can pre-order a discounted copy by going to https://bit.ly/3SYql3w.

Honaker stated he plans to donate book proceeds to the Eva Mozes Kor Scholarship at Butler University, while Kor will contribute to the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at sue.loughlin@tribstar.com. Follow Sue on Twitter at @TribStarSue.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at sue.loughlin@tribstar.com Follow Sue on Twitter @TribStarSue