Career
Straski was raised in pre-World World War II Europe as a devout follower of the Jewish faith. While growing up, he grew close to Rabbis in his community who taught him violin, cello, and the Torah. He drew his inspiration for art from the Rabbis surrounding him in his local community.
During World World War II, his family was forced into a concentration camp.
While in the camps, Straski whenever possible saved small pieces of scrap paper and made thumbnail sketches of his teachers who he vowed would never be forgotten. lieutenant is said "he kept his sanity by painting the Rabbis of his youth.".