Escape from Pokroy: A Family Saga across Time, Exile, and Antisemitism

Escape from Pokroy is a powerful true story of courage, resilience, and survival. In early 20th-century 
Eastern Europe, Bentze and Sorah Hoffman, facing rising antisemitism and political unrest, make the 
agonising decision to flee their cherished shtetl of Pokroy. With only a horse and cart, and danger at 
every turn, they embark on a gruelling journey through Russian exile, hunger, snow, and uncertainty – 
seeking refuge in South Africa. 
In a desperate act of faith, they send their two sons, just ten and twelve years old, ahead on their own 
with ten shillings and little else, trusting that fate would carry them safely forward. This journey spans 
continents – from the crumbling synagogue of Pokroy to the silhouette of Table Mountain. Yet exile’s 
echo remains, passed down through generations. The family’s odyssey continues as they settle in 
Australia – where, heartbreakingly, antisemitism still persists. 
Barry John Cohen brings his ancestors’ story to life with vivid detail and heartfelt reverence. This is not 
just a tale of displacement; it is a testament to endurance, grit, and the rebuilding of lives across oceans 
and generations. Escape from Pokroy shines a light on a forgotten chapter of Jewish perseverance, 
ensuring its legacy endures.