Kestenberg Archive

KP was born in Baden bei Wien, Austria in 1928. He was the second son of a middle class Jewish merchant. Both his parents were originally from Hungary. KP's brother was 15 years older than him and left for Palestine when KP was very young. However he had a significant influence on KP's identity, encouraging him to be a proud Jew in the letters he sent to him. KP's mother was very assimilated, but his father, who was the son of a convert, took him to Synagogue on holidays. KP had a happy childhood and was close to his mother, who spoiled him. In May 1938 KP was forced to leave school and in the summer of 1938 the family fled Austria, moving to Budapest. KP was sent to a Jewish boarding school in Debrecen. When his parents' money ran out, KP returned to Budapest. Soon after, his mother died of cancer. KP's grades in school became worse and he started to act as the class clown. He was rebellious and provocative, causing his father to thrash him. He also objected to the religious framework of the Jewish school in which he studied. Eventually he was forced to leave school and look for an apprenticeship. At the same time he became involved in a Zionist socialist group. KP felt no connection to Hungary and hated Hungarian nationalism. In January 1943 he left for Palestine with a group of 50 children. At first he was unable to find his brother, so he stayed on a Kibbutz. KP served in the Hagana and Israeli army from 1946 until 1950. After his release he had great difficulties finding work. He had no education and no money, leading him to resort to extreme measures. Eventually he returned to Europe to study hotel management but was arrested in France since he had no papers. As he was deported, KP was offered the choice of joining the foreign legion or leaving the country. KP chose to make his way to Vienna where he studied and worked in the hotel business. ; KP had casual relationships with many women and has been married 3 times, twice to Catholic women and once to a Protestant. His third wife he describes as a "philo-Semite". KP says that he has remained provocative throughout his life.