In early 1943 eleven year old Vilna Ghetto inmate Alexander Wolkowyski composed music to accompany the words to a poem written by his father Dr. Noah Wolkowyski. The poem, Shtiler, Shtiler, was translated into Yiddish and two stanzas were added by Vilna Ghetto poet Shmerke Kaczerginski. Although intended as a lullaby, the song referenced the execution site Ponar, an area near Vilnius where approximately 70,000 Jews were massacred.

Performed at a music competition organized by Vilna Ghetto Commandant Jacob Gens, Alexander’s composition won first prize. Shtiler, Shtiler has since become one of the most performed songs on Holocaust Remembrance Day.