On May 21, 2018, I had the honor to receive the David A. Garfinkel Essay Scholarship at one of the hidden gems in New York City: Appellate Division, First Judicial Department. A courthouse sited in the heart of Manhattan where one can admire the impressive furniture, woodwork, artistic murals, and wonderful stained-glass artworks. The Historical Society of the New York Courts worked tirelessly to offer this generous scholarship to students studying in CUNY Community Colleges. I had just earned my Associate Degree in Applied Science at Bronx Community College when I discovered the Garfinkel Scholarship. Once I realized that I was eligible to enter, I felt compelled to start working on the essay immediately because of the interesting topic they brought to my attention: Stolen Art: from the Holocaust to the Present. I have always loved History. I was lucky to be raised in a household in which my mother, little by little, had treasured literature books of diverse cultures, dictionaries, and several encyclopedias. I remember an Encyclopedia of World’s History — bought one chapter each week until all the volumes were complete — which I used to read for fun on vacation days.

I spent Spring Break this year working with great hopes on the essay I planned to submit. Thankfully, my children understood the importance of my work and didn’t complain about spending their vacation at home. During my research, I learned in dismay that most of the stolen art hoarded by the Nazis during the rise of their monstrous regime was almost never returned to its rightful owners. In fact, the few families who successfully reclaimed their stolen works-of-art had to defy a powerful established machinery that protected individuals and local or national governments in possession of these creations by ignoring — or preferring to ignore — their outrageous origins. These dishonest persons and institutions were the real beneficiaries of the chaotic situation in the aftermath of World War II. Advancing in my research, I realized the crucial role played by the U.S. Courts — especially the New York Courts — to bring justice to the heirs of Holocaust victims. After discarding several themes and titles for my essay, finally I found the right one: “Inherited Grievances”. My focus was the unjust treatment that Holocaust victims and their families received after the defeat of the Third Reich. Fortunately, after many years of fighting to recover their lost property, some of these families finally witnessed their possessions returned to them. This restoration brought them — and all of humanity — peace of mind, knowing that justice had prevailed. My essay was ready to be submitted, however, I sought for the knowledgeable opinion of my professor: Beth Tremallo, who had been my mentor since I started my quest for ways to continue my education. She offered me wise insights, an accurate vision of what was necessary for a better result, and the encouragement I needed to revise my work until it was finally ready to submit.

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