Renee Konstat Akers
In conducting Threads of Wisdom interviews, it has been so clear that words are crucial to the telling of stories. However, in my interview with Renee Akers, I realized for the first time how much language, in and of itself, can tell a story.
In reflecting on her childhood home in Mexico City, Renee shared, "We spoke everything … Spanish, German, English, French, Hebrew, Yiddish — we switched from one to another." The family's ability to navigate multiple languages wasn't just a means of communication; it was a living connection to their past and a bridge to their new life in Mexico City.
"With my grandparents, my father spoke German," Renee remembers. "And, of course, Yiddish because my other grandma spoke Yiddish." The importance of language was even reflected in Renee's education at Jewish Day School, where she studied half the day in Spanish and the other half in Hebrew. In the Konstat home, each language carried echoes of different times and places – the German of Vienna, the Yiddish of Eastern Europe, the Spanish of their new Mexican home, and the Hebrew of their cultural heritage.
Early Life
Renee Maria Konstat, Rivka Miriam in Hebrew, was born as the second of three children in Mexico City to David Konstat and Fini Vogel de Konstat, both of whom were Holocaust Survivors.
In reflecting on her childhood, Renee shared parts of each of her parents’ stories. Her father, David Konstat, had remarkable talents and even more remarkable courage. "My father was a translator for the Nazis in Marseille, France," Renee explains. “He translated from German to French and French to German. Because he knew what was going on, he saved a lot of people." David's heroism, which had once seemed too incredible to be true to Renee during her childhood, was confirmed years later when she met a woman whose entire family had been saved by her father's actions.
Renee's mother, Fini Vogel de Konstat, had her own extraordinary journey. Born in Vienna, Fini was forced to flee at the age of 14 during Kristallnacht. Her path to safety was remarkable as well. "They lived in India for three years," Renee shares. "My mother, at 14, lived in India for three years and learned English because her language was German." From India, Fini's family embarked on a ship bound for Los Angeles via Australia. However, they ended up in Mexico when their U.S. affidavit expired.
Growing up in Mexico City, Renee's life "one hundred percent revolved around Judaism," though not in a religious sense. She attended a Jewish day school, where half the day was conducted in Hebrew and half in Spanish. We were just very Jewish in the sense that I have no friends who were not Jewish," Renee explains. This immersion extended to every aspect of life — from the Jewish center to cultural activities.
The Konstat household mixed different cultures and traditions. While not keeping kosher, they celebrated Jewish holidays with a distinct Mexican flair. "During the holidays, like Pesach, when you have gefilte fish... Everybody had to make everything from scratch. So they made it like Mexican style," Renee remembers fondly. This fusion of cultures extended to their recent Passover celebration, where they enjoyed "Que Filte Fish a la Veracruzana," which perfectly embodies the unique mix of different family cultures.
Renee's parents were determined to provide a better life for their children. "I had a wonderful life. I had a beautiful home," Renee recalls. Her father, like many survivors who found economic success, ensured his family had everything they wanted and needed. Yet, the echoes of their past were still present.
Threads of Wisdom
Throughout her life, Renee wove together threads of wisdom gathered from her family's experiences. One of the most profound lessons she carries with her is the power of bravery and survival instincts. "When I hesitate to do something, I go, how did my grandma save herself? By being daring,". This courage, exemplified by both her grandmother and father, has become a guiding principle in her life.
Another core value to Renee is the importance of kindness and seeing the good in others. "I believe that everybody's good," she asserts. "If they act strangely, it's because they have a problem." This compassionate worldview, shaped by her family's experiences, has become her superpower.
Renee's life philosophy can be summed up in a piece of advice she often shares: "Don't sweat the small stuff. Just go and enjoy life." This wisdom comes from years of perspective. "When you get to be my age," she explains, "you realize that one suffers so much... You get upset about things that now I realize, what was that all about?"
Reflections
Renee Akers reflects on her life, experiences, lessons, and love, noting the values passed down to her own children, Sherry and Bradley, and her grandchildren, along with some of the quirks. "All the superstitions," she laughs, remembering her father's special pre-trip song that she, her children, and grandchildren still sing. Her most treasured possessions are not material things but the memories and links to her heritage. "I have my grandma's glasses and one dress," she says, these items serving as physical connections to her family's history.
Renee's life has been marked by an ability to find joy and meaning, even in the shadow of her family's traumatic past. When asked about her best childhood memories, she responds simply, "Everything. It was amazing." This capacity for joy and appreciation has been a constant throughout her life.
As she looks to the future, Renee's wish for her legacy is simple yet profound: "I want my kids to think that I was a lot of fun and that they had the right values." In this wish, we see the culmination of a life lived with purpose, joy, and an unwavering commitment to passing on the best of what she received.
In listening to Renee's story, it was clear that the joyous parts of Renee’s childhood and the life she envisioned for her kids and grandkids were not tangential to her family’s history but rather a direct product of their survival. We witness how history, culture, and personal experience come together to create a tapestry of wisdom, resilience, and joy. Her life stands as a testament to enduring history's darkest moments and emerging with light to share, proving that even in the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy, it's possible to build a life filled with love, laughter, and profound meaning. In fact, building an incredible life is an act of survival and resistance.
