Tuesday, October 18, 2011
1 Paragraph Essay on Harrison Bergeron
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr is more than a simple satire. This short story tells the tale of a society broken down by equality. Very similar to A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift, this story talks about something we should have but takes it so incredibly far it becomes incredible. The real story is not so much directly in the writing as it is in reflection upon the writing. We live in a society where rights (or the removal of rights) are often taken too far but this pushes the right to equality to a point of insanity and hypocrisy. What we see here is if everyone is equal (which is impossible) then society stops its growth. While the story doesn't point this out, it can be seen. Dancers have their dances ruined by weights and headphones while other perfectly strong or smart people are similarly encumbered. They ask for equality in the story yet they have someone who has so much power that she can kill people at a whim like she did with Harrison and the dancer. So, the moral of this story (I think) is that we should accept people as they are as opposed to trying to bring everyone to a level of equality.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Dalton Anderson Survivor Testimony Brigitte Altman
Dalton Anderson
Mr. Neuburger
Eng. 102
12 October 2011
Holocaust Survivor Testimony
Brigitte Altman
Brigitte Altman was born on the 15th of August 1924 in the town of Memel on the Baltic Coast. Her father was a business man and worked in flour, lumber, and textile mills. Her family was not really a traditional Jewish family. They did however; celebrate all of the Jewish holidays such as Purim and Hanuka in their own ways. Brigitte came from a middle class family and attended a public elementary school and later attended a private, all-girl’s school. Her private school had about 6 Jews in a class of 30, just to give you an idea of the ratio (the rest were German or Russian girls). It was typical how the Antisemitism started for her; as Hitler rose to power, the morals he imposed on the people trickled down to the younger children and they begin to exhibit that behavior themselves. Brigitte’s first awareness of Nazis was when her parents began to speak of what was happening to their relatives at dinner. The Germans invaded some time later and caused much confusion and panic. Brigitte was transported with her family to a Ghetto located in the poorest part of town. There was no sanitation, or running water and very limited space. Brigitte was assigned a job, it wasn’t bad but still it did not pay much at all. She had to live on meager portions of food, but she was able to smuggle food into her house sometimes. Her father was prompted by the children’s accione` to form a plan to get Brigitte out of the Ghetto and to a safe place. He managed to contact a friend of his and plan an elaborate escape. A group of men helped by first bribing a guard to let them pass her out of the Ghetto and onto a boat to cross the river to get to the city. She arrived at her father’s friend’s (her name was Meta) apartment and was able to stay there for a few weeks. It sounded like a nice place to live, it was certainly better than the Ghetto. Brigitte had to leave Meta’s apartment for a family (Meta’s husband’s family) farm. She lived there as a farm maid for a few years with another Jewish girl who was about six years old. She lived there for a few years and was liberated by a Russian soldier during the summertime. (Brigitte forgot rather a lot about some of the dates). She left the farm and hitchhiked to Karnoff where she spent a few days at a friend’s house. Eventually, she traveled to Poland and Austria and ended up in Dallas, Texas to meet up with family.
Brigitte said that we should give testimony “To document by word and pictures that not only did the Holocaust, unfortunately, happen, but that the so-called pseudo-Holocaust revisions are just so blatantly wrong.”
In regards to the pseudo-Holocaust revisions, “I wish they were right. I wish it didn’t happen.”
Mr. Neuburger
Eng. 102
12 October 2011
Holocaust Survivor Testimony
Brigitte Altman
Brigitte Altman was born on the 15th of August 1924 in the town of Memel on the Baltic Coast. Her father was a business man and worked in flour, lumber, and textile mills. Her family was not really a traditional Jewish family. They did however; celebrate all of the Jewish holidays such as Purim and Hanuka in their own ways. Brigitte came from a middle class family and attended a public elementary school and later attended a private, all-girl’s school. Her private school had about 6 Jews in a class of 30, just to give you an idea of the ratio (the rest were German or Russian girls). It was typical how the Antisemitism started for her; as Hitler rose to power, the morals he imposed on the people trickled down to the younger children and they begin to exhibit that behavior themselves. Brigitte’s first awareness of Nazis was when her parents began to speak of what was happening to their relatives at dinner. The Germans invaded some time later and caused much confusion and panic. Brigitte was transported with her family to a Ghetto located in the poorest part of town. There was no sanitation, or running water and very limited space. Brigitte was assigned a job, it wasn’t bad but still it did not pay much at all. She had to live on meager portions of food, but she was able to smuggle food into her house sometimes. Her father was prompted by the children’s accione` to form a plan to get Brigitte out of the Ghetto and to a safe place. He managed to contact a friend of his and plan an elaborate escape. A group of men helped by first bribing a guard to let them pass her out of the Ghetto and onto a boat to cross the river to get to the city. She arrived at her father’s friend’s (her name was Meta) apartment and was able to stay there for a few weeks. It sounded like a nice place to live, it was certainly better than the Ghetto. Brigitte had to leave Meta’s apartment for a family (Meta’s husband’s family) farm. She lived there as a farm maid for a few years with another Jewish girl who was about six years old. She lived there for a few years and was liberated by a Russian soldier during the summertime. (Brigitte forgot rather a lot about some of the dates). She left the farm and hitchhiked to Karnoff where she spent a few days at a friend’s house. Eventually, she traveled to Poland and Austria and ended up in Dallas, Texas to meet up with family.
Brigitte said that we should give testimony “To document by word and pictures that not only did the Holocaust, unfortunately, happen, but that the so-called pseudo-Holocaust revisions are just so blatantly wrong.”
In regards to the pseudo-Holocaust revisions, “I wish they were right. I wish it didn’t happen.”
A Film Unfinished.
Scott Erickson
Mr. Neuburger
English Comp. 102-104
5, October 2011
A Film Unfinished
I thought that A “Film Unfinished” was very enlightening. It really shows you how manipulative the Nazis were. Not only were they manipulative but they were also ruthless by making them sit in the theater for hours just to get some fake footage. Even worse was when they made them walk past the dead bodies in the street how demented do you have to be to do things like this, taking different angles to make it even more dramatic. I know the film only shows the little things, leading up to the actual holocaust but for people to think its right to frame people for living better than others is unacceptable. For the Nazis to make up this superficial life for the Jews and intend to use it in order to make it look like they are doing the world a favor by eliminating the Jews just blows my mind. When they had them go into the restaurant and gorge themselves on food at the expense of the restaurant owner it just shows how low the Nazis can go to make Jews look bad. Everything in this film is over exaggerated to perfection so that no matter what Jews do they look like the bad guys. They have the funeral procession they are made to use the nicest things to make it look like they can afford the best stuff even after their dead. Where do people come up with these ideas of hatred and how do they feel its right to go through with them? Over all the film shows a different side of the war that isn’t brought out into the public eye.
Mr. Neuburger
English Comp. 102-104
5, October 2011
A Film Unfinished
I thought that A “Film Unfinished” was very enlightening. It really shows you how manipulative the Nazis were. Not only were they manipulative but they were also ruthless by making them sit in the theater for hours just to get some fake footage. Even worse was when they made them walk past the dead bodies in the street how demented do you have to be to do things like this, taking different angles to make it even more dramatic. I know the film only shows the little things, leading up to the actual holocaust but for people to think its right to frame people for living better than others is unacceptable. For the Nazis to make up this superficial life for the Jews and intend to use it in order to make it look like they are doing the world a favor by eliminating the Jews just blows my mind. When they had them go into the restaurant and gorge themselves on food at the expense of the restaurant owner it just shows how low the Nazis can go to make Jews look bad. Everything in this film is over exaggerated to perfection so that no matter what Jews do they look like the bad guys. They have the funeral procession they are made to use the nicest things to make it look like they can afford the best stuff even after their dead. Where do people come up with these ideas of hatred and how do they feel its right to go through with them? Over all the film shows a different side of the war that isn’t brought out into the public eye.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Survivor Testimonys
Alfred Caro
32052-2
By: Billy Essick
I decided to go with Holocaust survivor Alfred Caro born July 27, 1911 in Sampter, Berlin. Alfred lived with a mild conservative family of 4 boys and 3 girls. His dad was a normal person a butcher, and Caro did normal things like he had a hobby of boxing. Although being a Jewish family, Caro’s dad loved German people; he would make his kids sing German songs, which he still remembers today. Many Germans, Polish, etc, were jealous of Jewish people, could be what possibly started the Holocaust. Nazi police came to the Caro residence to inform them that they needed Alfred for a “political investigation”. Confused because he had never taken place or even had views on the political side of things, so he decided to hide like any other would do, though he came out of hiding fearing the police would take another fellow family member. Caro is taken to camp Zachenhousen which used to hold Jahovus witnesses; he explained that there were mostly young men his age there. The place was surrounded by towers with suited men with guns, as well men on the ground surrounding the premises. Being told if any one crosses the line you will be shot, well to test limits someone walked across the line where he was shot. Caro was in Zachenhousen for six weeks, and he compares being treated like a slave, Jews were beaten kicked, spit on, made fun of, starved, it was worse than being a slave. Caro’s mother still confused on what had happened to her son; she began to investigate down at the police station. She talked too many until she talked to a former child hood friend of Alfreds who was highly ranked in the police force. Caro and many more Jews were released not to long after, though not for sure why.
Quote: “You have nothing, you have your life when you’re lucky, and when you are not lucky you are dead. Maybe the people that were dead were lucky, than the ones that were alive.”
Quote: “We were treated like slaves.”
Ursula Levy
26765-1
By: Billy Essick
This is a testimony overview from Ursula Levy born May 11, 1935 in Orslabrook Germany. Her father owned a textile business that had been in the family for a while, though she was unsure what her mother did and she only had one brother. Her father and Uncle were sent to camp Zachenhousen where they were beaten and exposed to very cold temperatures, both ended up with GangGreen and died shortly after they were released from this camp. Levy doesn’t remember much but she does remember some important things like her mother side of the family was Liberal and her dad side of the family was very religious. Afraid of her children’s lives, Ursula’s mother contacted an uncle of hers in America; he agreed to get them out of Germany. Sent to a place with nuns, her and her brother and three others were the only ones that were full blooded Jewish. Those five kids were sent to a concentration camp, where only her and her brother the only ones that survived. The things Jewish families would do to keep their family alive are unreal, as it worked for the Levy family. Her and her brother split up in concentration camps, her brother promised he would come visit her as he did on Sundays. She remembers that in her camp they were forced to take off all her clothes and throw it in a big pile and the wind blowing sand would hurt her legs; they were to where the clothes the Nazi’s gave them. They were saved due to the home in Holland and the friend from the hardware store who told a lie about their background that saved them. If he had not it was to Auschwitz, that’s where the Jews from their camp were being transported to.
Quote: “If we were to go to Auschwitz like most of the children and people, we would have been killed right way because of our age.”
Quote: “ I saw people being loaded on to open trucks they would sing, they would sing…..a Dutch song.”
32052-2
By: Billy Essick
I decided to go with Holocaust survivor Alfred Caro born July 27, 1911 in Sampter, Berlin. Alfred lived with a mild conservative family of 4 boys and 3 girls. His dad was a normal person a butcher, and Caro did normal things like he had a hobby of boxing. Although being a Jewish family, Caro’s dad loved German people; he would make his kids sing German songs, which he still remembers today. Many Germans, Polish, etc, were jealous of Jewish people, could be what possibly started the Holocaust. Nazi police came to the Caro residence to inform them that they needed Alfred for a “political investigation”. Confused because he had never taken place or even had views on the political side of things, so he decided to hide like any other would do, though he came out of hiding fearing the police would take another fellow family member. Caro is taken to camp Zachenhousen which used to hold Jahovus witnesses; he explained that there were mostly young men his age there. The place was surrounded by towers with suited men with guns, as well men on the ground surrounding the premises. Being told if any one crosses the line you will be shot, well to test limits someone walked across the line where he was shot. Caro was in Zachenhousen for six weeks, and he compares being treated like a slave, Jews were beaten kicked, spit on, made fun of, starved, it was worse than being a slave. Caro’s mother still confused on what had happened to her son; she began to investigate down at the police station. She talked too many until she talked to a former child hood friend of Alfreds who was highly ranked in the police force. Caro and many more Jews were released not to long after, though not for sure why.
Quote: “You have nothing, you have your life when you’re lucky, and when you are not lucky you are dead. Maybe the people that were dead were lucky, than the ones that were alive.”
Quote: “We were treated like slaves.”
Ursula Levy
26765-1
By: Billy Essick
This is a testimony overview from Ursula Levy born May 11, 1935 in Orslabrook Germany. Her father owned a textile business that had been in the family for a while, though she was unsure what her mother did and she only had one brother. Her father and Uncle were sent to camp Zachenhousen where they were beaten and exposed to very cold temperatures, both ended up with GangGreen and died shortly after they were released from this camp. Levy doesn’t remember much but she does remember some important things like her mother side of the family was Liberal and her dad side of the family was very religious. Afraid of her children’s lives, Ursula’s mother contacted an uncle of hers in America; he agreed to get them out of Germany. Sent to a place with nuns, her and her brother and three others were the only ones that were full blooded Jewish. Those five kids were sent to a concentration camp, where only her and her brother the only ones that survived. The things Jewish families would do to keep their family alive are unreal, as it worked for the Levy family. Her and her brother split up in concentration camps, her brother promised he would come visit her as he did on Sundays. She remembers that in her camp they were forced to take off all her clothes and throw it in a big pile and the wind blowing sand would hurt her legs; they were to where the clothes the Nazi’s gave them. They were saved due to the home in Holland and the friend from the hardware store who told a lie about their background that saved them. If he had not it was to Auschwitz, that’s where the Jews from their camp were being transported to.
Quote: “If we were to go to Auschwitz like most of the children and people, we would have been killed right way because of our age.”
Quote: “ I saw people being loaded on to open trucks they would sing, they would sing…..a Dutch song.”
Holocaust Survivor Testimony-Emily Eyberg(2)
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula begins her story with a smile; the emotions in the interview room appear to be that of neutrality; no anger or hatred. Ursula Levy was born May 11, 1935, in Germany. Her mother was Lucille, father was Max, and her older brother of five years was George. The family owned a textile store that had been in the family for generations, Ursula remembers fondly, but vaguely, that the family made down comforters, quilts, suits and other such items. Ursula’s memories of before the war are far and few between, as she was so young. One memory she holds was when she was about three and a half years old, her father and uncle had just returned from a concentration camp, and were hospitalized. Ursula’s father and uncle had suffered frigid temperatures, and both had injuries to their legs; her uncle died a few days after being hospitalized and her father sometime around March 1939. Both her father and uncle were captured on Kristilnight. After her father and uncle passed, Ursula’s mother knew that she must find a way to get the children out of Germany; to Holland. A strong fear of dogs was instilled in Ursula, she believes from seeing the Germans, and officers with the dogs; a cognitive association.
A strong comfort that she has held with her even now is that of her mother singing; her mother sang constantly. One song in particular caused Ursula to envision Heaven as a ballroom with dancing and love all around. This caused her to not fear death, because of the thought of her mother and being free in a beautiful hall of dancing. Throughout the interview, Ursula maintains her composure, although there are moments, for example in remembering her brother, George, she fights off tears. “The separation was just totally devastating for me, it was worse than any other experience. I felt isolated, abandoned. I cried all the time.” Ursula speaks about the first concentration camp that she and her brother were put in and separated from each other. “There was always someone who looked after us.” Ursula remembers that no one ever stole bread from her or her brother; there was always someone who kept watch over them. This kept her hope and faith alive; she also remembers that she never doubted that she would come out of it alive. Speaking of her memories are difficult years and years after the tragedy, but she does it for her two children.
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula begins her story with a smile; the emotions in the interview room appear to be that of neutrality; no anger or hatred. Ursula Levy was born May 11, 1935, in Germany. Her mother was Lucille, father was Max, and her older brother of five years was George. The family owned a textile store that had been in the family for generations, Ursula remembers fondly, but vaguely, that the family made down comforters, quilts, suits and other such items. Ursula’s memories of before the war are far and few between, as she was so young. One memory she holds was when she was about three and a half years old, her father and uncle had just returned from a concentration camp, and were hospitalized. Ursula’s father and uncle had suffered frigid temperatures, and both had injuries to their legs; her uncle died a few days after being hospitalized and her father sometime around March 1939. Both her father and uncle were captured on Kristilnight. After her father and uncle passed, Ursula’s mother knew that she must find a way to get the children out of Germany; to Holland. A strong fear of dogs was instilled in Ursula, she believes from seeing the Germans, and officers with the dogs; a cognitive association.
A strong comfort that she has held with her even now is that of her mother singing; her mother sang constantly. One song in particular caused Ursula to envision Heaven as a ballroom with dancing and love all around. This caused her to not fear death, because of the thought of her mother and being free in a beautiful hall of dancing. Throughout the interview, Ursula maintains her composure, although there are moments, for example in remembering her brother, George, she fights off tears. “The separation was just totally devastating for me, it was worse than any other experience. I felt isolated, abandoned. I cried all the time.” Ursula speaks about the first concentration camp that she and her brother were put in and separated from each other. “There was always someone who looked after us.” Ursula remembers that no one ever stole bread from her or her brother; there was always someone who kept watch over them. This kept her hope and faith alive; she also remembers that she never doubted that she would come out of it alive. Speaking of her memories are difficult years and years after the tragedy, but she does it for her two children.
Holocaust Survivor Testimony-Emily Eyberg
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimony
Edith Coliver
Edith is asked to spell her name by the interviewer, first thing she says is “V as in Victory”, this may simply be the best letter to get across that there was a ‘v’ in her name, however, I like to think it is because she truly believes there has been a victory. Edith was born in Karlsrophe, Germany in July 26, 1926, the eldest of three children, with two brothers. Her family was a middle class German- Jew family, she fondly remembers her grandmother who wore a wig, and was “wonderfully nurturing”. She recollects hearing Germans, around the same age, saying ‘oh, I was young’, her response was “I knew when I was eleven years old; don’t tell me that, you must have known what you were doing.” Edith speaks with such composure and dignity. Reflecting on how she watched those who had been ‘saved’ when the concentration camps were opened, the number of deaths then was almost more than during the camps themselves. During her time, Edith worked trials of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. After attending Berkley and studying political science, she was savvy in the ways of a court system, and how those would try to work the system. When returning to Germany, “I went to Germany not with a sense of revenge but curiosity, what makes people do these awful things.” Edith was able to see that the Nazis were killing on an automatic switch, it had been programmed into their very core, and however this still does not excuse their actions. Edith pondered these things throughout her entire life, but still her heart never filled with revenge; heartache and longing for peace for people, but never revenge.
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimony
Edith Coliver
Edith is asked to spell her name by the interviewer, first thing she says is “V as in Victory”, this may simply be the best letter to get across that there was a ‘v’ in her name, however, I like to think it is because she truly believes there has been a victory. Edith was born in Karlsrophe, Germany in July 26, 1926, the eldest of three children, with two brothers. Her family was a middle class German- Jew family, she fondly remembers her grandmother who wore a wig, and was “wonderfully nurturing”. She recollects hearing Germans, around the same age, saying ‘oh, I was young’, her response was “I knew when I was eleven years old; don’t tell me that, you must have known what you were doing.” Edith speaks with such composure and dignity. Reflecting on how she watched those who had been ‘saved’ when the concentration camps were opened, the number of deaths then was almost more than during the camps themselves. During her time, Edith worked trials of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. After attending Berkley and studying political science, she was savvy in the ways of a court system, and how those would try to work the system. When returning to Germany, “I went to Germany not with a sense of revenge but curiosity, what makes people do these awful things.” Edith was able to see that the Nazis were killing on an automatic switch, it had been programmed into their very core, and however this still does not excuse their actions. Edith pondered these things throughout her entire life, but still her heart never filled with revenge; heartache and longing for peace for people, but never revenge.
Dalton Anderson Holocaust Testimony Ester Fiszgop
Dalton Anderson
Mr. Neuburger
Eng. 102
12 October 2011
Holocaust Survivor Testimony
Ester Fiszgop
Ester Fiszgop was born in Brest, Poland on January 14, 1929. Her father’s name was Abraham Fiszgop and her mother’s name was Rachael Fiszgop. Her father was co-owner of a lumberyard and also a contractor. Her mother was an artistic, beautiful, and loving housewife. I noticed that when she spoke about her family (especially her brother) she became very upset and began to cry, which is quite understandable. Ester said she had a very loving, traditional Jewish family. They were middle class and she and her brother attended a seemingly prestigious school. In the time just before the war broke out, Ester says that she even knew about Hitler and what was happening over in Europe. However, she says that she didn’t sense any danger at that point in time. After a year or so, the German army bombed her town and a little while later they invaded and began to take control of the town. Ester told about how the Russians came in and saved their town from the Germans. The citizens of the town rejoiced and made an arch de triumph decorated with flowers to show their gratitude. Two years later however, the Germans came back and as punishment for the way they acted. They took 5,000 to 7,000 men and shot them on a bridge over a river until it ran red with blood, Ester’s father was one of the men shot. In 1941 Ester went to the train station with her mother and brother to be transported to a Ghetto. Ester got on a bus, looked out the window at her mother. When the bus turned the corner, she never saw them again. While in the Ghetto, Ester lived with her grandmother and great uncle. There was scarcely any food and almost no new clothing. Ester stayed sane only through her own drive for survival. One night, she, her grandmother, and her mother’s friend and children dug out of the walls of the Ghetto and crawled to the outer area around the barbed wire. They fled to Kainoffski and hid in the forest. Ester moved from house to wilderness quite a lot, even pausing to live in a hole beneath a pig sty for six months. By the time she got out, she could not sit or stand on her own. She eventually was liberated by the Russian army and moved to the United States where she lives to this day.
“It’s a heavy burden” (in regards to the pain she feels)
“I am very much afraid that whether it will take 100, 200, 300 years, history repeats itself. Be on guard.”
Mr. Neuburger
Eng. 102
12 October 2011
Holocaust Survivor Testimony
Ester Fiszgop
Ester Fiszgop was born in Brest, Poland on January 14, 1929. Her father’s name was Abraham Fiszgop and her mother’s name was Rachael Fiszgop. Her father was co-owner of a lumberyard and also a contractor. Her mother was an artistic, beautiful, and loving housewife. I noticed that when she spoke about her family (especially her brother) she became very upset and began to cry, which is quite understandable. Ester said she had a very loving, traditional Jewish family. They were middle class and she and her brother attended a seemingly prestigious school. In the time just before the war broke out, Ester says that she even knew about Hitler and what was happening over in Europe. However, she says that she didn’t sense any danger at that point in time. After a year or so, the German army bombed her town and a little while later they invaded and began to take control of the town. Ester told about how the Russians came in and saved their town from the Germans. The citizens of the town rejoiced and made an arch de triumph decorated with flowers to show their gratitude. Two years later however, the Germans came back and as punishment for the way they acted. They took 5,000 to 7,000 men and shot them on a bridge over a river until it ran red with blood, Ester’s father was one of the men shot. In 1941 Ester went to the train station with her mother and brother to be transported to a Ghetto. Ester got on a bus, looked out the window at her mother. When the bus turned the corner, she never saw them again. While in the Ghetto, Ester lived with her grandmother and great uncle. There was scarcely any food and almost no new clothing. Ester stayed sane only through her own drive for survival. One night, she, her grandmother, and her mother’s friend and children dug out of the walls of the Ghetto and crawled to the outer area around the barbed wire. They fled to Kainoffski and hid in the forest. Ester moved from house to wilderness quite a lot, even pausing to live in a hole beneath a pig sty for six months. By the time she got out, she could not sit or stand on her own. She eventually was liberated by the Russian army and moved to the United States where she lives to this day.
“It’s a heavy burden” (in regards to the pain she feels)
“I am very much afraid that whether it will take 100, 200, 300 years, history repeats itself. Be on guard.”
Response to Survivor Testimony- Brigitte Altman/EvaSafferman
I had a completely different mindset going into this video. I did not expect to hear what I did. Brigitte is an amazing woman in every way possible. She was brave, strong, heroic, intelligent, and very hardworking.
Born August 15, 1924. She is from a small town named Memla off the Baltic coast. She came from a very well to do family. Her father owned a textile business, and was very highly regarded in the community. Her mother hosted, and attended several parties. She went to school for many years and became very knowledgeable. They were in a very tight nit "German Jewish" community. They observed all of the Jewish holiday, and especially the Passover. She was an only child.
Brigitte was first introduced to Nazi's at the dinner table. Her city was a port for the Nazi party and the ideas of this were discussed by her mother and father. As time progressed, she moved on in life, and the war was going on. Her mother became very ill, and her small city was raided, and driven to a ghetto. When Brigitte, her mother, and father reached the "selection process", they were lucky enough to be sent to the "good" side, and their lives were spared. Not long after, her mother died of continuing illness. She and her father were assigned jobs where they made a small living. After months of living in the ghetto, her father came into contact with someone from the outside, and was able to sneak Brigitte out of the ghetto. She remained in hiding at a friend’s farm for several months where she then became liberated when Russia infiltrated. She meet another Jewish girl, very young, that she took care of. The both found homes as refugees. She was then placed into a refugee program, and moved from country to country within Europe. She ended up in Italy before she moved to the US with the help of her father, and made a new life for herself.
She honestly did not seem to have many consequences after the Holocaust, other than something her daughter mentioned at the end of the interview. She was never a mother to be carefree. She always has something on her mind, and is constantly doing anything that needs to be done. I very much admire Mrs. Brigitte Altman.
Eva Safferman-
This is a sad, yet hopeful story. In many ways similar to Brigitte, but Eva experience many you could say, typical, Holocaust occurrences. It is amazing how fast this young lady had to grow up, and learn to fight for life.
Born in Lodz, Poland on April 15, 1928. Her family would be considered upper-class, as her father had a wonderful job being a business man. He was able to provide nice apartment with a bathroom. They also had a maid. I do find it neat that both Jewish families had the meal of gefilte fish. This is one way in which the stories are similar. Eva went to public school through 6th grade. Her family took vacations and she went to camps.
One camp she went to was an eating camp where she learned not to be a picky eater. When she came back from that camp, that's when things began to change. There was not much to eat, and her community was forced to wear the Jewish star. He mother, like Brigitte's mother, hid valuables, and close possessions. She did it just in time as the Germans came to her community to raid. Her immediate family was taken, and sent to burn. Soon after Eva, her mother and father moved to a descent apartment in the very large ghetto that was close by. This ghetto was very large. She went to school there for a while, but it was shut down, and she went to work in a factory. The small family lived in constant fear. Sure enough her father was taken off the street by German's, loaded into a truck, and was never seen or heard from again. After this they moved to a house across the ghetto with an aunt, and small cousin. The company was nice, but the conditions were not better. She stayed there for 3 years, and in 1944, Eva, her mother, her aunt and small cousin were sent to Auschwitz. They were as well sent to the "good" side. Just her and her mother. Conditions only got worse, and she was forced to work. Eventually they were both chosen. What for they were unsure. They were both shaved bald, stripped of their clothes, and sent through baths. On the other side they wer givin a pair of clothes and shoes. They then were put on a train that led them to the 'death march'. The marches lead them to Hamburg where they both remained until liberation day, April 15, 1945. Eva's Birthday. They soon moved to Sweden, lived for 3 years, and an uncle in America sent their Visa's. Eva got married to another Holocaust survivor, and had children. As a consequence, she always keeps her mother with her. She has protected her for to long, and not let her go. She is also fearful sometimes when she reads the paper that something like this will happen again. She prays that it will not.
Born August 15, 1924. She is from a small town named Memla off the Baltic coast. She came from a very well to do family. Her father owned a textile business, and was very highly regarded in the community. Her mother hosted, and attended several parties. She went to school for many years and became very knowledgeable. They were in a very tight nit "German Jewish" community. They observed all of the Jewish holiday, and especially the Passover. She was an only child.
Brigitte was first introduced to Nazi's at the dinner table. Her city was a port for the Nazi party and the ideas of this were discussed by her mother and father. As time progressed, she moved on in life, and the war was going on. Her mother became very ill, and her small city was raided, and driven to a ghetto. When Brigitte, her mother, and father reached the "selection process", they were lucky enough to be sent to the "good" side, and their lives were spared. Not long after, her mother died of continuing illness. She and her father were assigned jobs where they made a small living. After months of living in the ghetto, her father came into contact with someone from the outside, and was able to sneak Brigitte out of the ghetto. She remained in hiding at a friend’s farm for several months where she then became liberated when Russia infiltrated. She meet another Jewish girl, very young, that she took care of. The both found homes as refugees. She was then placed into a refugee program, and moved from country to country within Europe. She ended up in Italy before she moved to the US with the help of her father, and made a new life for herself.
She honestly did not seem to have many consequences after the Holocaust, other than something her daughter mentioned at the end of the interview. She was never a mother to be carefree. She always has something on her mind, and is constantly doing anything that needs to be done. I very much admire Mrs. Brigitte Altman.
Eva Safferman-
This is a sad, yet hopeful story. In many ways similar to Brigitte, but Eva experience many you could say, typical, Holocaust occurrences. It is amazing how fast this young lady had to grow up, and learn to fight for life.
Born in Lodz, Poland on April 15, 1928. Her family would be considered upper-class, as her father had a wonderful job being a business man. He was able to provide nice apartment with a bathroom. They also had a maid. I do find it neat that both Jewish families had the meal of gefilte fish. This is one way in which the stories are similar. Eva went to public school through 6th grade. Her family took vacations and she went to camps.
One camp she went to was an eating camp where she learned not to be a picky eater. When she came back from that camp, that's when things began to change. There was not much to eat, and her community was forced to wear the Jewish star. He mother, like Brigitte's mother, hid valuables, and close possessions. She did it just in time as the Germans came to her community to raid. Her immediate family was taken, and sent to burn. Soon after Eva, her mother and father moved to a descent apartment in the very large ghetto that was close by. This ghetto was very large. She went to school there for a while, but it was shut down, and she went to work in a factory. The small family lived in constant fear. Sure enough her father was taken off the street by German's, loaded into a truck, and was never seen or heard from again. After this they moved to a house across the ghetto with an aunt, and small cousin. The company was nice, but the conditions were not better. She stayed there for 3 years, and in 1944, Eva, her mother, her aunt and small cousin were sent to Auschwitz. They were as well sent to the "good" side. Just her and her mother. Conditions only got worse, and she was forced to work. Eventually they were both chosen. What for they were unsure. They were both shaved bald, stripped of their clothes, and sent through baths. On the other side they wer givin a pair of clothes and shoes. They then were put on a train that led them to the 'death march'. The marches lead them to Hamburg where they both remained until liberation day, April 15, 1945. Eva's Birthday. They soon moved to Sweden, lived for 3 years, and an uncle in America sent their Visa's. Eva got married to another Holocaust survivor, and had children. As a consequence, she always keeps her mother with her. She has protected her for to long, and not let her go. She is also fearful sometimes when she reads the paper that something like this will happen again. She prays that it will not.
Holocaust Survivor Testimony - Cassie Brasher
Brigitte Aldman was from Memel in the Baltic Coast. The first signs she saw after Hitler’s coming to power were that German girls at school no longer wanted to sit with Jewish girls and even teachers became unfriendly with them. Almans father built a big container for their family to live in to keep them safe, but it ended up being burnt down. Later her family missed the chance to move to Canada because her mom was sick and couldn’t make the trip, but they were safe for a while in the United Kingdoms. There they heard rumors of Jewish slave and death camps. Aldman and her family eventually were sent to a ghetto. She explained that even before the ghetto, Jews were forced to wear the Jewish star and not even allowed to walk on sidewalks. She described the ghetto having no sanitation. Usually a family would have one room to live in. They depended on strangers for a while until her dad found some attic space in a farm house they could use. All they had in there was a bed for her parents, a cot for Brigitte, and a sewing machine. Aldman remembered one day 10,000 people were taken and never seen again, and later everyone was supposed to be inspected by an SS officer. An SS Sargent chose whether people would continue to live or die. Aldman said, “He yielded enormous power despite the low rank that he carried…power over life and death.” They all passed and went to the living side, but a little while later her mother died. She had been sick and malnourished for a while. Aldman knew it was coming, “Every day we went to work we had to leave her at home not knowing whether we would find her or we would find her alive,” she said. Eventually Aldmans father got her a job as a maid in a German household. One day a lady asked where these Germans got their maid. They were worried that people would find out she was Jewish and take her so they moved to a farm far from the capital. This job as a maid allowed her to survive. Her only consequence of surviving that she talks about was losing her mother.
Holocaust Survivor
Testimony #1
Kristine Keren
In October 28, 1935 Kristine Keren was born in the town of Lwow, Poland. She had one other sibling that was her brother. When she was a child, whenever she wasn’t playing in her parents shop she was out at the park playing with all the other children like normal kids are supposed to. When the reporter asked if the friends she was playing was Jewish Kristine respond with a little confusion. It’s seems as if her parents hadn’t really informed her that she was Jewish at the time because she really couldn’t remember why she was getting pointed out. Life started to change for Kristine in 1941 when the German came to Lwow in there grey greenish outfits and here high black boots. Kristine remembers this day vividly because when they came in to their town her parents had a mixture of emotions, angry and scared. When the Germans invaded Lwow she and the other Jewish families had to leave their homes and move to the ghetto. For her family to stay safe and together they had to go into hiding in the sewer under the city. She mentions that’s she got a lot of help from a sewer worker named Socha who visited daily, bringing food and newspapers to the families that where hiding down in the sewers. Socha was their savior for the 14 months that they were in the sewer system. The family started worrying about Socha because they heard a lot of bombing above ground and didn’t see Socha for a number of days until the day when Socha came one last time and for them that was the best time. Socha had signaled to them that it was safe to come above ground. The town was rid of all German soldiers.
Quotes-
“Those are my Jews, I saved them” – Socha
The Priest told her, “pretend that she was Christian not JewishHolocaust Survivor Testimonies - Cassie Brasher
Alfred Caro was from Sampter, Germany. His family were very proud Germans and his father even fought for Germany in WWI. Caro mentioned that before the nazis, Germans and Jews got along just fine. He even had German friends. Inflation and other economic problems after WWI caused people to start blaming each other for problems. The Nazis put the blame on the Jews. In April of 1933 the Nuremberg laws were made and life for the Jews completely changed. These laws took away all of their rights.Caro says, "From these days on we weren't people anymore." Alfred Caro was taken to a concentration camp called Saxenhoussen in June of 1938. He says that they had nothing and "If you are alive you are lucky." Caro described how people were shot if they crossed the line of the camp even if they just stepped over because they were dizzy. He mentioned that they had water for breakfast, "water soup" for lunch, and a piece of bread for dinner. Everyone thought that this treatment was temporary and that they would be moved somewhere where they could actually live a real life again. Caro was only in Saxenhoussen for about 6 weeks. His mother was constantly asking around and trying to figure out why they were being kept there. She eventually talked to a Nazi that used to be a friend of theres, then a couple of days later they signed a paper and a police officer told them they were free. After he got out he moved to Berlin and had to say goodbye to his family. Saying goodbye to them was his consequence of surviving.
Scott Erickson
William McKinney
William McKinney was born in Union Town Pennsylvania and spent his early childhood in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. William was raised a Christian and lived in a mixed neighborhood. As a child he went to a mixed school and had 10 siblings, 6 boys and 4 girls. Growing up he never really experienced extreme racism. His father was in the army and was affected by mustard gas but still survived the war. Due to this he was already on the way to the army when at 18 going on 19 he was drafted into the war. After McKinney was drafted he was introduced to the real side of racism. The white me would call them monkeys and niggers and blackies and tell people that they had tails. McKinney's' battalion, an all black battalion, was responsible for the second wave of an ambush. Growing up in the city he had never experienced sleeping out in inclimate weather like rain and snow. Traveling from town to town McKinney carried all his supplies with him which included a small tent that was suppose to help against the terrible weather conditions but he mostly used it as a pillow. William was able to survive the war because he was away from most of the fighting. Of the battles he was in the most memorial were Normandy and on Omaha Beach. The war didn't have a major toll on him like the Jews and other races. He married his fiancé after the war because he promised he would come back. They waited two years after the war to get married. They had three children the youngest developed multiple sclerosis. McKinney asked the doctor what the life expectancy was and the doctor said 35 to 40 years. His youngest died at 38 and his other to children are still alive today.
William McKinney was born in Union Town Pennsylvania and spent his early childhood in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. William was raised a Christian and lived in a mixed neighborhood. As a child he went to a mixed school and had 10 siblings, 6 boys and 4 girls. Growing up he never really experienced extreme racism. His father was in the army and was affected by mustard gas but still survived the war. Due to this he was already on the way to the army when at 18 going on 19 he was drafted into the war. After McKinney was drafted he was introduced to the real side of racism. The white me would call them monkeys and niggers and blackies and tell people that they had tails. McKinney's' battalion, an all black battalion, was responsible for the second wave of an ambush. Growing up in the city he had never experienced sleeping out in inclimate weather like rain and snow. Traveling from town to town McKinney carried all his supplies with him which included a small tent that was suppose to help against the terrible weather conditions but he mostly used it as a pillow. William was able to survive the war because he was away from most of the fighting. Of the battles he was in the most memorial were Normandy and on Omaha Beach. The war didn't have a major toll on him like the Jews and other races. He married his fiancé after the war because he promised he would come back. They waited two years after the war to get married. They had three children the youngest developed multiple sclerosis. McKinney asked the doctor what the life expectancy was and the doctor said 35 to 40 years. His youngest died at 38 and his other to children are still alive today.
Holocaust Survivor Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula Levy, born May 11, 1935, in Germany, had what would be one of the most traumatic childhood experiences. At a young age her father and uncle were taken away and died in a concentration camp. In 1940, her mother, sent Ursula and Jorge, her brother, to Holland to stay at a home for Jewish children where they might be safe but never to see her again. They were transferred to a convent in Eersel Holland for malnourished children where they lived for 4 years. “There was nothing to eat.” She states, “If people had bread and butter they were lucky.” In 1943 she and her brother were taken to a concentration camp by the Nazis. On her birthday that year, she received a wonderful gift. They were given better treatment thanks to a lie told by Mr. Vanmacklenburgh, who had taken a liking to the two at the Eersel convent. He said they were actually the children of a Catholic father in the U.S. It was because of this man they survived. In 1944, they were sent to Westerburgh, where they were treated with a little less status. They became malnourished. Dead bodies in the street became a common sight for Ursula. In April 1945, Ursula and Jorge were put on a train to go to a death camp. For 13 days they were trapped with no food or water. Until one morning she woke up when someone was screaming, “We are free!” The Russians had liberated the train and the Jews on board. They went back to live at the convent in Eersel where they found out that their mother had died of typhus around the same time as their liberation. “I had never really mourned the loss of my parents and that was the worst of the experience.” Ursula stated, even though later it caused her to have to seek professional help to cope with it. In 1947 she and her brother went to live with her aunt and uncle in Chicago where she changed her name to Muhler by her aunt’s request, as it was a Catholic name and would make their life easier. She went to Catholic school, but was always confused about her religion. At age 40, she converted back to Judaism. After all that has happened, she says she does not hate the German people, and if her people sought revenge, the string of violence would just continue. She is happy to be part of a group of people who can educate their children and grandchildren who will learn from their experiences so this hatred can stop.
Quotes: “There was nothing to eat. If people had bread and butter they were lucky.”
“I had never really mourned the loss of my parents and that was the worst of the experience.”
Joseph Morton
Born in 1924 in Lodz Poland, Joseph Morton is the oldest of six siblings. He lived in an all Jewish neighborhood until the Germans came and took over two days after the war started in 1939. Since it was an all Jewish neighborhood, it was made into a ghetto. His father was a soldier in the Polish army so Joseph provided for the family. It wasn’t long until he, his brother, and cousin were forced to work for the Germans. The whole ghetto was told to come to a flea market where three men were hung as a warning to all who opposed the Germans. They were forced to wear a band with a yellow star so it was obvious who the Jews were. The Germans would come into the ghetto and pick up people to take them away. “They would grab people and take them away, we didn’t know where. Some of them were tortured.” Joseph stated. Schools were shut down and people were forced out of their homes and into the ghettos in 1940. “This is when the problems started.” Joseph says. “You were always living in fear.” People were constantly taken and there was a lack of food. There was no escape. “Once you were in the ghetto, you were there to die.” Joseph was reunited with his father in 1940. He helped the family get through this time. In September 1944 the ghetto was shut down and the whole family was loaded into a wagon with fifty or more other people. They were taken to a death camp where Joseph, his father, brother, and cousin were split from the rest of the family. They were forced to go to work at other camps for the Germans. At this time his religious faith was roughly shaken. They were tortured every day before work, and forced to live in dirty lice infested barracks. The camp was shut down due to typhus, with Joseph being one of the sick who was sent to a sick camp and separated from his family. It wasn’t long after that the American army found the camp and liberated it. Joseph was taken to a hospital and nursed back to health where he was reunited with his father, brother, and cousin. Joseph’s mother and other siblings did not make it out of the death camp. Joseph and his brother left for Montreal, Canada in 1948 and their father went to America. Joseph, although a victim of a horrible tragedy, holds no grudges. He claims it was luck which saved him, but it seems as though it was his family bonds that kept him going. He now has a family of his own but is still a little shaken with nightmares every once in a while. He encourages future generations to live life to its fullest.
Quotes: “They would grab people and take them away, we didn’t know where. Some of them were tortured.”
“Once you were in the ghetto, you were there to die.”
Ursula Levy, born May 11, 1935, in Germany, had what would be one of the most traumatic childhood experiences. At a young age her father and uncle were taken away and died in a concentration camp. In 1940, her mother, sent Ursula and Jorge, her brother, to Holland to stay at a home for Jewish children where they might be safe but never to see her again. They were transferred to a convent in Eersel Holland for malnourished children where they lived for 4 years. “There was nothing to eat.” She states, “If people had bread and butter they were lucky.” In 1943 she and her brother were taken to a concentration camp by the Nazis. On her birthday that year, she received a wonderful gift. They were given better treatment thanks to a lie told by Mr. Vanmacklenburgh, who had taken a liking to the two at the Eersel convent. He said they were actually the children of a Catholic father in the U.S. It was because of this man they survived. In 1944, they were sent to Westerburgh, where they were treated with a little less status. They became malnourished. Dead bodies in the street became a common sight for Ursula. In April 1945, Ursula and Jorge were put on a train to go to a death camp. For 13 days they were trapped with no food or water. Until one morning she woke up when someone was screaming, “We are free!” The Russians had liberated the train and the Jews on board. They went back to live at the convent in Eersel where they found out that their mother had died of typhus around the same time as their liberation. “I had never really mourned the loss of my parents and that was the worst of the experience.” Ursula stated, even though later it caused her to have to seek professional help to cope with it. In 1947 she and her brother went to live with her aunt and uncle in Chicago where she changed her name to Muhler by her aunt’s request, as it was a Catholic name and would make their life easier. She went to Catholic school, but was always confused about her religion. At age 40, she converted back to Judaism. After all that has happened, she says she does not hate the German people, and if her people sought revenge, the string of violence would just continue. She is happy to be part of a group of people who can educate their children and grandchildren who will learn from their experiences so this hatred can stop.
Quotes: “There was nothing to eat. If people had bread and butter they were lucky.”
“I had never really mourned the loss of my parents and that was the worst of the experience.”
Joseph Morton
Born in 1924 in Lodz Poland, Joseph Morton is the oldest of six siblings. He lived in an all Jewish neighborhood until the Germans came and took over two days after the war started in 1939. Since it was an all Jewish neighborhood, it was made into a ghetto. His father was a soldier in the Polish army so Joseph provided for the family. It wasn’t long until he, his brother, and cousin were forced to work for the Germans. The whole ghetto was told to come to a flea market where three men were hung as a warning to all who opposed the Germans. They were forced to wear a band with a yellow star so it was obvious who the Jews were. The Germans would come into the ghetto and pick up people to take them away. “They would grab people and take them away, we didn’t know where. Some of them were tortured.” Joseph stated. Schools were shut down and people were forced out of their homes and into the ghettos in 1940. “This is when the problems started.” Joseph says. “You were always living in fear.” People were constantly taken and there was a lack of food. There was no escape. “Once you were in the ghetto, you were there to die.” Joseph was reunited with his father in 1940. He helped the family get through this time. In September 1944 the ghetto was shut down and the whole family was loaded into a wagon with fifty or more other people. They were taken to a death camp where Joseph, his father, brother, and cousin were split from the rest of the family. They were forced to go to work at other camps for the Germans. At this time his religious faith was roughly shaken. They were tortured every day before work, and forced to live in dirty lice infested barracks. The camp was shut down due to typhus, with Joseph being one of the sick who was sent to a sick camp and separated from his family. It wasn’t long after that the American army found the camp and liberated it. Joseph was taken to a hospital and nursed back to health where he was reunited with his father, brother, and cousin. Joseph’s mother and other siblings did not make it out of the death camp. Joseph and his brother left for Montreal, Canada in 1948 and their father went to America. Joseph, although a victim of a horrible tragedy, holds no grudges. He claims it was luck which saved him, but it seems as though it was his family bonds that kept him going. He now has a family of his own but is still a little shaken with nightmares every once in a while. He encourages future generations to live life to its fullest.
Quotes: “They would grab people and take them away, we didn’t know where. Some of them were tortured.”
“Once you were in the ghetto, you were there to die.”
Edith Coliver Testimony
Testimony #2
Sapphire Armstrong Filkins
For my second holocaust testimony I chose to cover Edith Coliver. Edith Coliver was born in Karlsuhe, Germany in July of 1922. Edith was originally born Edith Simon and her parents’ names were Fritz and Hedwig. She had two younger brothers named Ernest and Harold. Coliver’s family were a typical Jewish family, although Coliver’s mother was orthodox Jewish and the rest of the family was reformed. In 1933, when Edith was ten, Hitler officially took over Germany. This caused a lot of changes in daily life for Edith and when Edith was a teenager she was not allowed to go to school anymore because of her Jewish heritage. Her family relocated to the United States to New York where Coliver witnessed a demonstration of American protest against Hitler and the Communist movement. “I was very grateful that they were thinking of Europe and that they weren’t as insolent as we thought they were” Coliver said upon her arrival in New York. After New York her family settled down in San Francisco where Coliver attended high school and eventually college as well. When Coliver talks about her experiences after moving from Nazi Germany she explains that she never related well to others around her in the United States, “I felt these were not my interests having coming out of an area that was going to be in war soon. I felt very much alone.” Despite these challenges Edith developed a great career in translating and diplomacy for the United Nations. She also married and had two children.
Sapphire Armstrong Filkins
For my second holocaust testimony I chose to cover Edith Coliver. Edith Coliver was born in Karlsuhe, Germany in July of 1922. Edith was originally born Edith Simon and her parents’ names were Fritz and Hedwig. She had two younger brothers named Ernest and Harold. Coliver’s family were a typical Jewish family, although Coliver’s mother was orthodox Jewish and the rest of the family was reformed. In 1933, when Edith was ten, Hitler officially took over Germany. This caused a lot of changes in daily life for Edith and when Edith was a teenager she was not allowed to go to school anymore because of her Jewish heritage. Her family relocated to the United States to New York where Coliver witnessed a demonstration of American protest against Hitler and the Communist movement. “I was very grateful that they were thinking of Europe and that they weren’t as insolent as we thought they were” Coliver said upon her arrival in New York. After New York her family settled down in San Francisco where Coliver attended high school and eventually college as well. When Coliver talks about her experiences after moving from Nazi Germany she explains that she never related well to others around her in the United States, “I felt these were not my interests having coming out of an area that was going to be in war soon. I felt very much alone.” Despite these challenges Edith developed a great career in translating and diplomacy for the United Nations. She also married and had two children.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Kristine Keren Survior Testimony
Testimony #1
Sapphire Armstrong Filkins
Kristine Keren’s was one of the most inspirational stories of the Holocaust testimonies to me. Kristine Keren was born in Lwow, Poland in October of 1935. Keren was a normal child in Lwow, she had one younger brother and her parent’s owned a textile store. The German army turned Keren’s family’s life upside down whenever they invaded Lwow in 1941, when Keren was 6. The German army forced Keren’s family to move from their apartment with almost no possessions to the Lwow Jewish ghetto. By 1944 Keren’s family had heard the rumors of the German’s plans to eradicate and transport masses of people to unknown destinations. Keren witnessed members of her family, like her cousin and grandfather, being captured by the Nazi’s. Keren herself describes narrowly escaping the Nazi’s with her brother. While escaping the Nazi’s Keren recalls that “She was very aware, like an animal with my instincts because I had to take care of my brother who was 3 at the time.” Keren was only 8 at the time of these incidents, showing the immense responsibility that children where dealt during those hard times. It was then that they decided to hide in the sewers of the Jewish Ghetto in which they were kept after failed attempts at hiding in their apartment. Keren’s family stayed underground for fourteen months with a group of others, they survived with the help of a Catholic sewer worker named Socha. During this time Keren adjusted to sleeping in lice infested clothing, darkness, and the constant presence of sewer rats. Keren describes, “Those fourteen months seemed like fourteen years.” After the allied bombing’s Keren and her family were able to emerge from the sewer. After these experiences Keren went on to experience regular school pretending to be a Chrisitian and became a dentist.
Sapphire Armstrong Filkins
Kristine Keren’s was one of the most inspirational stories of the Holocaust testimonies to me. Kristine Keren was born in Lwow, Poland in October of 1935. Keren was a normal child in Lwow, she had one younger brother and her parent’s owned a textile store. The German army turned Keren’s family’s life upside down whenever they invaded Lwow in 1941, when Keren was 6. The German army forced Keren’s family to move from their apartment with almost no possessions to the Lwow Jewish ghetto. By 1944 Keren’s family had heard the rumors of the German’s plans to eradicate and transport masses of people to unknown destinations. Keren witnessed members of her family, like her cousin and grandfather, being captured by the Nazi’s. Keren herself describes narrowly escaping the Nazi’s with her brother. While escaping the Nazi’s Keren recalls that “She was very aware, like an animal with my instincts because I had to take care of my brother who was 3 at the time.” Keren was only 8 at the time of these incidents, showing the immense responsibility that children where dealt during those hard times. It was then that they decided to hide in the sewers of the Jewish Ghetto in which they were kept after failed attempts at hiding in their apartment. Keren’s family stayed underground for fourteen months with a group of others, they survived with the help of a Catholic sewer worker named Socha. During this time Keren adjusted to sleeping in lice infested clothing, darkness, and the constant presence of sewer rats. Keren describes, “Those fourteen months seemed like fourteen years.” After the allied bombing’s Keren and her family were able to emerge from the sewer. After these experiences Keren went on to experience regular school pretending to be a Chrisitian and became a dentist.
Survivor Testimonies- Karyssa Adame
Brigitte Altman tells her story through many touching words and really shows her emotions. She sits down to tell us what she remembers from this sad experience and her memory of her family. She starts with when she was a child and being an only child too. Her family was quit well off when she was younger and her father always had some sort of money stored away in case of emergencies. She described her father as being, "a farmer" and always very handy. She looked up to her mother and says that she was always very gracious and kind. As she got older she realized that where she was growing up there wasnt very many Jews in the community. Through out her teens she was in a couple of religious groups that were mainly classified as sports groups back then. She said she wasnt "the most athletic" but she enjoyed it. She goes on to tell her story of when the Nazis took over and how they were eventually living in the ghetto. Her family didnt live in a nice place in the ghetto because they didnt own their previous house they didnt have anything to trade for once they got to the actual ghetto. Their living quarters were small and it was one room per family. She remembers at this point that all Jews were wearing a star on their clothing and were not allowed to walk on the streets.
As she got older she was semi separated from her family and bounced around a lot of places until she ended up at a brigade with others her age and finally had things like blankets, fires and clothes. She finally found her father after she arrived in Italy. Her and her father tried to get their Visas for the United States and it took 4 years for their applications to go through, arriving in the US in 1949.
Joseph Morton was the oldest out of 5 brothers and 1 sister. As I first started watching this interview one of the first things i noticed was that his memory was not as clear as the other interview i watched so he didnt give as much detail and didnt say as much. He states that "celebrating Jewish holidays is a must." He talks about his childhood and what he remembers about school, which wasnt a lot. He says he remembers having few friends that he played some sports with. His town that he lived in was invaded very quickly! Morton says it only took "2 days" and they came in and were grabbing people and taking them away! Joseph had a job doing odd tasks while he was in the ghetto and did everything he could to survive. He eventually made his way somehow onto a train that would be taking him to Auschwitz. He says he he couldnt see anything from the train and remembers just feeling trapped in there and knew nothing about where he was going and what would await him. He was told he was going some place to do work and thats all he knew. He arrived during there in August of 1944 and says "that was the end of the family."
Like other stories I have heard, he to tells how he was immediately separated by how he looked and whether not he looked like he could work. There were people all around giving orders and people scared out of their minds. After all that he went through he never received anything about how or when his mother and sister died. He eventually moved to Canada in June 1948 with his brother and his father stayed in Germany. He resided in Montreal where he there made a living!
As she got older she was semi separated from her family and bounced around a lot of places until she ended up at a brigade with others her age and finally had things like blankets, fires and clothes. She finally found her father after she arrived in Italy. Her and her father tried to get their Visas for the United States and it took 4 years for their applications to go through, arriving in the US in 1949.
Joseph Morton was the oldest out of 5 brothers and 1 sister. As I first started watching this interview one of the first things i noticed was that his memory was not as clear as the other interview i watched so he didnt give as much detail and didnt say as much. He states that "celebrating Jewish holidays is a must." He talks about his childhood and what he remembers about school, which wasnt a lot. He says he remembers having few friends that he played some sports with. His town that he lived in was invaded very quickly! Morton says it only took "2 days" and they came in and were grabbing people and taking them away! Joseph had a job doing odd tasks while he was in the ghetto and did everything he could to survive. He eventually made his way somehow onto a train that would be taking him to Auschwitz. He says he he couldnt see anything from the train and remembers just feeling trapped in there and knew nothing about where he was going and what would await him. He was told he was going some place to do work and thats all he knew. He arrived during there in August of 1944 and says "that was the end of the family."
Like other stories I have heard, he to tells how he was immediately separated by how he looked and whether not he looked like he could work. There were people all around giving orders and people scared out of their minds. After all that he went through he never received anything about how or when his mother and sister died. He eventually moved to Canada in June 1948 with his brother and his father stayed in Germany. He resided in Montreal where he there made a living!
Cody Baker: Ursula Levy Testimony #2
Ursula Levy
Survivor Testimony #2
Ursula Levy was born in Ausnoplic Germany in the year of 1935. Her father and her uncle were exposed to very cold temperatures in a concentration camp, they both encountered injuries in their legs causing their deaths. Her mother’s side of the family was more liberal about their religious views, and her father’s side was more religious.
After Crystal Night had happened Ursula’s mother called her brother who at that time lived in here in America to ask for help to get Ursula and her older brother out of the country. After leaving the country Ursula and her brother were picked up and sent to a place to help children gain weight for six weeks. After that sometime during their stay the Jewish children were taken to concentration camps.
While in the camp Ursula turned to the age of 8, this was a special birthday to her because the man that took her and her brother showed up to the camp they were in and gave her a gift. This was uncommon for a civilian to come into the camps, he was able to because he owned a hardware store and gave the leader of the camp discounts. The man then pointed out that Ursula and her brother couldn’t be Jewish because of the color of their eyes, and this raised questions about their father’s background because he lived in America and that he was catholic. Before Ursula and her brother were completely released they were sent to another camp. During the stay at this last camp the two had to endure a train ride that lasted for 13 days and ended with the Russians stopping and taking over the train releasing the people on the train.
Ursula and her brother were very luck children to leave a camp without any extra fears. If her and her brother were sent to Auschwitz they would have been killed right away because of their age, they never had to experience the deaths, crematoriums, nothing.
“Germany had captured Holland in a matter of days”
“Out of the 5 children who were sent to the concentration camps me and my brother were the only ones who survived”
Survivor Testimony #2
Ursula Levy was born in Ausnoplic Germany in the year of 1935. Her father and her uncle were exposed to very cold temperatures in a concentration camp, they both encountered injuries in their legs causing their deaths. Her mother’s side of the family was more liberal about their religious views, and her father’s side was more religious.
After Crystal Night had happened Ursula’s mother called her brother who at that time lived in here in America to ask for help to get Ursula and her older brother out of the country. After leaving the country Ursula and her brother were picked up and sent to a place to help children gain weight for six weeks. After that sometime during their stay the Jewish children were taken to concentration camps.
While in the camp Ursula turned to the age of 8, this was a special birthday to her because the man that took her and her brother showed up to the camp they were in and gave her a gift. This was uncommon for a civilian to come into the camps, he was able to because he owned a hardware store and gave the leader of the camp discounts. The man then pointed out that Ursula and her brother couldn’t be Jewish because of the color of their eyes, and this raised questions about their father’s background because he lived in America and that he was catholic. Before Ursula and her brother were completely released they were sent to another camp. During the stay at this last camp the two had to endure a train ride that lasted for 13 days and ended with the Russians stopping and taking over the train releasing the people on the train.
Ursula and her brother were very luck children to leave a camp without any extra fears. If her and her brother were sent to Auschwitz they would have been killed right away because of their age, they never had to experience the deaths, crematoriums, nothing.
“Germany had captured Holland in a matter of days”
“Out of the 5 children who were sent to the concentration camps me and my brother were the only ones who survived”
Krissi Wester
ENG 102-104
Mr. Neuberger
10 October 2011
Ellen Brandt
Escapee not Survivor
Ellen Brandt was born Ellen Ruth Friedsam in Manheim, Germany. She was the only child of her Father who was a banker and mother who was a home-maker. Her family moved to Munich when Ellen was only six months old. According to her they lived in an upscale neighborhood in Munich and she even had a nanny. Her father owned a paper factory and according to her they had a very comfortable lifestyle.
Ellen’s family was not very active in the Jewish community. She stated that she truly never knew which of her friends or her parents friends were Jewish until the beginning of Nazi occupation of Germany. According to her she grew up living one block away from where Hitler resided. “If anyone had any idea what was to come, my father would have gone up on the roof, ….,, taken a gun and changed the course of history.” Her father was a decorated World War I veteran. Her family did not observe holidays, attend Synagogue or Temple. Although never having had real ties to Judaism, and never having experienced anti-Semitism she recalled being ostracized at school for being a Jew. Particularly when school was coming to an end one year during the class picnic she and the other seven Jewish girls in her class were taken to after boarding the bus last and sitting in the back of the bus where they were segregated from the rest of the students. She recalled that they were left out of all activities and not given any food either. When she returned home that evening all she could do was cry and her parents decided to send her to a Jewish private school.
Her father even gave up his paper factory and went to work for an Arian company because it was safer than being a Jewish business owner. When things started to worsen in Germany and Jews were disappearing more and more the family attained an affidavit to go to America. They were required t o have someone in America to provide the affidavit and post a bond for their acceptance to America. She said many wanted to escape but there wasn’t a country that would take them. She said of freedom of speech, “In America, people criticize the President, my God, it was totally unthinkable” in reference to speaking badly of the Nazis.
While she did not experience the death camps, she considers herself an escapee, not a survivor. After relocating to America she truly turned away from being German or Jew, and learned to speak fluent English and really doesn’t carry the German accent like many immigrants. She married a Broadway producer and became a television commercial actress portraying the average American housewife. She said of her sixteen years in Germany that it probably held her back because even today she hates any profession that dons a uniform, especially police, and was surprised that she never ended up in jail.
As a closing to the film she stated that films made by Americans, for Americans, except Schindler’s List, only perpetuated the misconceptions of what truly went on in Germany during the occupation and that Americans should pay closer attention to the similarities of Germany in 1938 and America today.
ENG 102-104
Mr. Neuberger
10 October 2011
Ellen Brandt
Escapee not Survivor
Ellen Brandt was born Ellen Ruth Friedsam in Manheim, Germany. She was the only child of her Father who was a banker and mother who was a home-maker. Her family moved to Munich when Ellen was only six months old. According to her they lived in an upscale neighborhood in Munich and she even had a nanny. Her father owned a paper factory and according to her they had a very comfortable lifestyle.
Ellen’s family was not very active in the Jewish community. She stated that she truly never knew which of her friends or her parents friends were Jewish until the beginning of Nazi occupation of Germany. According to her she grew up living one block away from where Hitler resided. “If anyone had any idea what was to come, my father would have gone up on the roof, ….,, taken a gun and changed the course of history.” Her father was a decorated World War I veteran. Her family did not observe holidays, attend Synagogue or Temple. Although never having had real ties to Judaism, and never having experienced anti-Semitism she recalled being ostracized at school for being a Jew. Particularly when school was coming to an end one year during the class picnic she and the other seven Jewish girls in her class were taken to after boarding the bus last and sitting in the back of the bus where they were segregated from the rest of the students. She recalled that they were left out of all activities and not given any food either. When she returned home that evening all she could do was cry and her parents decided to send her to a Jewish private school.
Her father even gave up his paper factory and went to work for an Arian company because it was safer than being a Jewish business owner. When things started to worsen in Germany and Jews were disappearing more and more the family attained an affidavit to go to America. They were required t o have someone in America to provide the affidavit and post a bond for their acceptance to America. She said many wanted to escape but there wasn’t a country that would take them. She said of freedom of speech, “In America, people criticize the President, my God, it was totally unthinkable” in reference to speaking badly of the Nazis.
While she did not experience the death camps, she considers herself an escapee, not a survivor. After relocating to America she truly turned away from being German or Jew, and learned to speak fluent English and really doesn’t carry the German accent like many immigrants. She married a Broadway producer and became a television commercial actress portraying the average American housewife. She said of her sixteen years in Germany that it probably held her back because even today she hates any profession that dons a uniform, especially police, and was surprised that she never ended up in jail.
As a closing to the film she stated that films made by Americans, for Americans, except Schindler’s List, only perpetuated the misconceptions of what truly went on in Germany during the occupation and that Americans should pay closer attention to the similarities of Germany in 1938 and America today.
Survivor Testimonies- Ariel Lathrom
Malka Baran
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Malka Baran had an enjoyable childhood, full of good memories that would soon be shadowed by the Nazi invasion. As a child she lived in a small apartment with her family and attended a private school. Times were fairly peaceful for her. One night, she was awoken by her parents and told to get dressed. The SS German soldiers chased her family, as well as many others, out of their homes and marched them away. Not long after, she would be separated from her mother, only to never see her again. She was moved to a ghetto where she did labor for the German Army. During this time, her brother and father were shot and killed while working. She was moved again to a labor camp where she was forced to do more work. She explains that there was a woman hiding her baby from the Germans. Malka took care of the child when the mother could not. This experience helped her through those trying times. When the camp was liberated by the Russians, she was rescued and worked in a hospital kitchen to help her rescuers. At this place, she had experienced kindness for the first time in four years. Recalling this made her cry, but they were tears of happiness at the kindness of others. Malka had moved to Austria to work, and then moved to Israel, where she would live for years and years. She went there illegally, by train and walking over entire mountain ranges. She lived out a great portion of her adult life here, at the new home of the Jews. Her sad experience has long been over, but she still bears the scars of the loss of her family and her years of labor and torment.
"I remember seeing babies, this was a horrible thing, thrown against the wall and they're killed after the attack."
"I was extremely passive. I really couldn't care if I die or live."
Edith Coliver
Edith Coliver lived a relatively peaceful life, doing mostly work and studies. She was born in Karlsruhe, Germany where her life was simple and secure. She attended school and played with neighborhood children often. She was interested in sports and had many hobbies. She was ten years old when the Nazi's began their occupation of Germany. Because Jews began losing their rights, she had to leave her school and studies. In order to continue her education, her parents sent her to England, the first of many places she would travel to. Her family knew people at the school she attended, making it easier to get in. She was moved again to New York, where she saw the Statue of Liberty for the first time. She describes it as a beautiful sight. Comforting feelings overcame her to know that the Americans were against Hitler, and supported the liberation. After living in New York, she moved again to San Francisco, California. It was here that she attended Berkley. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and had impressive grades. Her intelligence one day earned her a job working for the United States Senator. She later became a translator, which she had wanted to do. This job brought her back to Germany for a short time, where she witnessed the liberated concentration camps. Translating also brought her to the official trial of Hermann Goring, as well as other ranking Nazi members. Edith explains how Goring killed himself before his execution. She lived out her life working hard and traveling after she had married. She had been to the Phillipines, Greece, various parts of the United States, and other countries as well. The most recent job she had was working for the Free Asia Foundation. At the end of the interview, she tells the interviewer the only members of her family that were killed were some of her uncles. Being far from the Nazi's choke hold, she still suffered losses as others did.
"And I did see the Statue of Liberty. It was a wonderful, you know, sort of a dawn's early light. It was a marvelous experience."
"So, I considered myself very lucky."
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Malka Baran had an enjoyable childhood, full of good memories that would soon be shadowed by the Nazi invasion. As a child she lived in a small apartment with her family and attended a private school. Times were fairly peaceful for her. One night, she was awoken by her parents and told to get dressed. The SS German soldiers chased her family, as well as many others, out of their homes and marched them away. Not long after, she would be separated from her mother, only to never see her again. She was moved to a ghetto where she did labor for the German Army. During this time, her brother and father were shot and killed while working. She was moved again to a labor camp where she was forced to do more work. She explains that there was a woman hiding her baby from the Germans. Malka took care of the child when the mother could not. This experience helped her through those trying times. When the camp was liberated by the Russians, she was rescued and worked in a hospital kitchen to help her rescuers. At this place, she had experienced kindness for the first time in four years. Recalling this made her cry, but they were tears of happiness at the kindness of others. Malka had moved to Austria to work, and then moved to Israel, where she would live for years and years. She went there illegally, by train and walking over entire mountain ranges. She lived out a great portion of her adult life here, at the new home of the Jews. Her sad experience has long been over, but she still bears the scars of the loss of her family and her years of labor and torment.
"I remember seeing babies, this was a horrible thing, thrown against the wall and they're killed after the attack."
"I was extremely passive. I really couldn't care if I die or live."
Edith Coliver
Edith Coliver lived a relatively peaceful life, doing mostly work and studies. She was born in Karlsruhe, Germany where her life was simple and secure. She attended school and played with neighborhood children often. She was interested in sports and had many hobbies. She was ten years old when the Nazi's began their occupation of Germany. Because Jews began losing their rights, she had to leave her school and studies. In order to continue her education, her parents sent her to England, the first of many places she would travel to. Her family knew people at the school she attended, making it easier to get in. She was moved again to New York, where she saw the Statue of Liberty for the first time. She describes it as a beautiful sight. Comforting feelings overcame her to know that the Americans were against Hitler, and supported the liberation. After living in New York, she moved again to San Francisco, California. It was here that she attended Berkley. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and had impressive grades. Her intelligence one day earned her a job working for the United States Senator. She later became a translator, which she had wanted to do. This job brought her back to Germany for a short time, where she witnessed the liberated concentration camps. Translating also brought her to the official trial of Hermann Goring, as well as other ranking Nazi members. Edith explains how Goring killed himself before his execution. She lived out her life working hard and traveling after she had married. She had been to the Phillipines, Greece, various parts of the United States, and other countries as well. The most recent job she had was working for the Free Asia Foundation. At the end of the interview, she tells the interviewer the only members of her family that were killed were some of her uncles. Being far from the Nazi's choke hold, she still suffered losses as others did.
"And I did see the Statue of Liberty. It was a wonderful, you know, sort of a dawn's early light. It was a marvelous experience."
"So, I considered myself very lucky."
Krissi Wester
ENG 102-104
Mr. Neuberger
10 October 2011
Edith Coliver was born in Karls Ruhe which interpreted means Charles’ rest. Hers was seemingly a normal middle class childhood of a German Jew. Her father was a conservative and her mother an orthodox Jew. She was one of three children born to her parents. Her father was a banker who had been injured in World War I and her mother a Nurse in the war. They lived a comfortable life where the Jewish community was very confined and tight knit.
Edith said she never considered herself much of a German after age ten. She was kicked out of her school because she was Jewish. An Uncle that was in America wanted Edith to join him and go to school in America, but she refused to go and was sent to England to attend school at age 11. After only one year of school there, her father announced that they were going to America. Her father was able to secure passports via his connections at the American Consulate and they left for America in 1938. Edith stated about the cultural climate in Germany at the time: “It was very un-American. It was guilty until proven innocent.” Although she herself never witnessed the atrocities that were going on, she heard stories of the extermination camps, and heard some of the tasteless jokes that were told during that ttime about the SS. The family’s departure from Germany was a new beginning for them in America.
Edith attended Berkley and was Phi Beta Kappa, although according to her, it never assisted her much and she threw her key into the Hudson river. She later went on to be an interpreter at the Nuremberg trials of the Nazi war criminals. Her father told her when he found out that she was going to Nuremberg, “You belong to the generation that was disenfranchised by Hitler, but as you go to do justice, be just, and don’t forget that you are a Jew.” During the trials, she said she believed the Germans who stated they were powerless to the Nazi’s, but not those who said they didn’t know. When asked about speaking publicly about the Holocaust she stated “I was going on the courage of my convictions.” Edith has lived a long and prosperous life since leaving Germany and says that to her knowledge she only lost one family member to the Holocaust, but she did lose many friends from her early school years, particularly her best friend Gertrude Marx, and still today when she encounters other survivors from school, it is awkward at best.
ENG 102-104
Mr. Neuberger
10 October 2011
Edith Coliver was born in Karls Ruhe which interpreted means Charles’ rest. Hers was seemingly a normal middle class childhood of a German Jew. Her father was a conservative and her mother an orthodox Jew. She was one of three children born to her parents. Her father was a banker who had been injured in World War I and her mother a Nurse in the war. They lived a comfortable life where the Jewish community was very confined and tight knit.
Edith said she never considered herself much of a German after age ten. She was kicked out of her school because she was Jewish. An Uncle that was in America wanted Edith to join him and go to school in America, but she refused to go and was sent to England to attend school at age 11. After only one year of school there, her father announced that they were going to America. Her father was able to secure passports via his connections at the American Consulate and they left for America in 1938. Edith stated about the cultural climate in Germany at the time: “It was very un-American. It was guilty until proven innocent.” Although she herself never witnessed the atrocities that were going on, she heard stories of the extermination camps, and heard some of the tasteless jokes that were told during that ttime about the SS. The family’s departure from Germany was a new beginning for them in America.
Edith attended Berkley and was Phi Beta Kappa, although according to her, it never assisted her much and she threw her key into the Hudson river. She later went on to be an interpreter at the Nuremberg trials of the Nazi war criminals. Her father told her when he found out that she was going to Nuremberg, “You belong to the generation that was disenfranchised by Hitler, but as you go to do justice, be just, and don’t forget that you are a Jew.” During the trials, she said she believed the Germans who stated they were powerless to the Nazi’s, but not those who said they didn’t know. When asked about speaking publicly about the Holocaust she stated “I was going on the courage of my convictions.” Edith has lived a long and prosperous life since leaving Germany and says that to her knowledge she only lost one family member to the Holocaust, but she did lose many friends from her early school years, particularly her best friend Gertrude Marx, and still today when she encounters other survivors from school, it is awkward at best.
Summary #2- LeChunda Duncan
The second video clip I watched was on Ursula Levy. She was born and raised in Germany. She had a brother. She didn't remember growing up with holidays. Her father and uncle had injuries in their knees, and caught gangrene after the war and the both died shortly within months of each other. She and her brother were taken away from their mother after their father died. They moved to this town of Catholics, where this family took them in and took very well care of them physically and educationally.She talked about how the Germans had a Nazi mayor. They eventually had to be sent to camps because of them being Jewish and they moved into a ghetto where they lived for a while. Not after too long, Ursula was devistated because her and her brother were separated. I think one of the reasons she was able to stay alive was because of the help of the Dutchman, who I thought was very kind, who pretty much manipulated the Nazi's into believing that she was not full Jewish because of different visible, physical aspects of her body, like her skin and eye color. Therefore keeping her from going to death camps that other Jews were sent to. The Dutchman also reunited her to her brother. She is a very strong-willed person and has excellent memory of these exact time periods. She also talks about her life in the United States after the war. She talks about her she is neither ashamed nor feels guilty about being a Holocaust Survivor. She mentions that from watching this clip and from other survivors speaking on their stories, she hopes that the new generations realize that the hatred has to stop.
"We were stripped of all of our dignity"
"There were 2000 people on the train......there were 600 left. Many people died on the train, many died after liberation"
"We were stripped of all of our dignity"
"There were 2000 people on the train......there were 600 left. Many people died on the train, many died after liberation"
Summary #1- LeChunda Duncan
I watched the first video clip on William McKinney. He seemed kind of irritated or annoyed by the woman interviewer. He was born and raised in a city I think by the name of Union Down, Pennsylvania. He grew up as a Christian and was pulled into war at the age of 18. He stated that some of the holidays he celebrated was most of the popular holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, ect. He said that he went to high school in 1939-1941 in an interacial high school. He was an average student who was interested in the sciences. For fun he played with his younger brother. In 1943, he was 18 turning 19 and went into the military. He was drafted into the military June 6, 1943. He didn't have any racial issues in high school. There were over 300 men who were drafted between 18 and 25 years of age. They were given a communication test and William scored the highest out of all men and was put in air base security. He talked about people were rude to them in the military and the black people were called monkeys and the whites said that they had tails. Blacks and whites were segregated. One white man said that the blacks were eyeball raping the white women and if they didn't want to be seen the men had to take the women off of the camp. William never allowed the white man's ignorance to get to him. He stated, " If they want to be ignorant, let them be ignorant." He travel to New York by train and stayed there for two weeks because he wasn't referred. He was in the hospital for days because he was having trouble with his vision. He talked about how they were always on the move. There was so many small towns, but he didn't remember them. Most of them were German towns. They had high millimeter guns and William was right under them. People were in their rooms when those guns were fired. William said it was very nerve-wrecking. William wanted to adopt two boys he encountered during this time. For the children, their parents were burnt alive. He survived most of the war because he really didn't have to be involved in too much of the war. He did speak about Normandy being a real big fight for him though. He was discharged back to the states December 14, 1945. He tallked about how his body was craving milk and steak and potatoes, when he got back because all that they got to drank was powdered milk during the war. He drank about four quarts of milk. He would eat a half pound of bacon, six eggs, and two quarts of milk. He got married two years after his war ended and had three children. All were boys and his youngest son Michael at the age of 38, as a tax accountant.
"If they want to be ignorant, let them be ignorant"
"My body craved for milk....all the milk we drank was powdered"
"If they want to be ignorant, let them be ignorant"
"My body craved for milk....all the milk we drank was powdered"
Summary 2: Ursula Levy
Ursula Levy was a small girl when World War II began and she was a Jewish girl in Germany that was put into some sort of camps and was almost put in Auschwitz but the train she was in, had been liberated before it could get there. She starts her story by telling of her father's death to gang-green and how no doctors or anybody would help. Ursula and her brother were taken from their mother shortly after the death of her father. She then moves on talking about the events she went through with her brother. They stayed in a town that had Catholics in it and the two were special in the hearts of one family and when the two were in the town they were fed very well. Ursula and her brother could not stay because they were Jews and taken to a ghetto were they stayed for several years. When Ursula and her brother were there she said they did nothing but stood for roll call most of the day. Ursula also spoke of how slow everyone was due to the malnourishment. Then Ursula tells of the two being put on a train to Auschwitz and for several weeks they were on a train. Then at the end of those weeks they were free from the Nazi's train by the Russian Army and the brother and sister went to a nearby town and found food in the abandoned town. Ursula then discusses her growing up. She went back to the Catholic family and they were so glad to see both her and her brother and the family could not believe they were alive. Ursula later found out that her mother was killed in the camps. After discussing her mothers death she moved on to conclude her interview by telling of her living in America.
Testimony 2 - Ursula Levy - Justin Middleton
Ursula Levy was born in Ascheberg Germany in May of 1935. She had one older brother named George Levy who was six years older than she was. Her father and uncle died at the beginning of the war due to gangrene and other illnesses in 1939. She has very few memories of her mother, but those that she has are treasures. She mentions that her mother was always singing songs to her and it made her feel loved. After Krystallnact, Ursula’s mother feared for her children so she sent them to a contact in Holland where she knew they were hiding Jewish children. Ursula and George stayed in a catholic convent there from April 1939 until April 1943. They were fed and educated well there. According to Ursula it was an ideal situation. Of all the children in the convent only five of them were Jewish. Of those five Ursula and her brother George were the only two that survived the concentration camps. In 1943 Ursula and her brother were sent to a concentration camp. The conditions were awful, and she was separated from her brother which made her miserable. After spending some time there she was called to the commandante’s office where Mr. VanMacklinberg the Dutchman who helped hide her in the convent was there. He had made an arrangement with the commandante so he could get into the concentration camp to see her and her brother. He put the question in the commandante’s mind that her skin was too fair and her eyes were blue that they were not completely Jewish. This was one of the main factors that kept them from going to one of the death camps. They transferred to two other camps before liberation in the spring of 1945. The thing that kept them alive was their will to live, and a friend in Mr. VanMacklinberg who put a doubt in a Nazi’s mind to keep them out of the death camps. Ms. Levy’s consequences for surviving are good that she can inform the world about the conditions of what a Jew had to go through during the Holocaust. She also has very vivid memories of the terrible things that happened throughout Europe during this time period.
“Every day I saw wagons piled with corpses.”
“We always thought about getting out, it helped us to survive.”
“Every day I saw wagons piled with corpses.”
“We always thought about getting out, it helped us to survive.”
Holocaust Survivor Kristine Keren Chigar By: Sheri Stephens
The story of Dr. Kristine Keren started out in an upper middle class Jewish family in Woolf, Poland. Here she lived with her mother, father and younger brother. In the beginning of Dr. Kerens testimony she paints a vivid picture the beginning of a happy childhood, laughing, singing, many friends, and a loving family. Though at the time Poland was under Russian control life went on in a usual succession.
Soon the Nazi regime entered Poland taking over Russian control, and forcing all Jewish families to evacuate their homes. Kristine and her family were no exception. Having to leave all personal things behind the Chigar family began bouncing from house to house having to move often to escape Nazi capture.
As word spread about a Jewish liquidation in the ghetto Kristin’s father decided to move his family into the sewer under the city. Adjusting to life in the sewer was something that they knew they had to do if they wanted to stay alive. Kristen’s father paid a sewer worker named Sal to help them navigate the under ground tunnels. Once they were in a safe part of the sewer Sal began to bring them food, and essentials to try and alleviate there suffering. Sal became their keeper. The Chigar family shared a tunnel in the sewer with six other Jewish people, each playing a particular role to keep them safe. All eleven people stayed in the sewer without light, proper sanitation, and health care for fourteen months.
Once the war was over, Sal led all that were still alive out of the tunnels into the light. The war had ended, but the Chigar family had to start completely over. Still facing anti Semitism the family’s life was a constant fight but they were grateful just to be alive.
Quotes: As Sal led the Jews from the tunnel he said. “ those are my Jew’s, I saved them.”
My father stood guard at night to keep the rats from eating our bread.
Alfred Caro’s Testimony by: Sheri Stephens
This is a glimpse of the Holocaust through Alfred Caro’s eyes. Alfred grew up in Berlin Germany in a proud German home. His father fought in WWI for the Germans and came out an honored soldier. He raised his children honoring the German way of life. Alfred was one of six children. His mother was a homemaker, and his father was a butcher.
Before the war life was normal, Alfred’s hopes and dreams were that of any young mans to find work, enjoy life and have a family. His friends were of all religious backgrounds and no one cared who believed in what.
After the German’s went into a depression, all things began to change. Families were suffering, fingers were being pointed at political parties, but it wasn’t until Adolf Hitler came into the picture that the entirety of Germany’s problems was placed on the Jews. In Alfred’s Caro’s case he was taken from his family and placed in a concentration camp. It was only by the saving grace of his mother bumping into a childhood friend (a Nazi) that eventually led to his release and saved his life. Once he was released by the Nazi’s Alfred was eventually sent to Bogotá, Columbia to a Jewish refuge. There Alfred was able to own his own business and live a somewhat normal life again. He was even able to get contact with his younger sister who was sent to Bolivia to escape the war. Eventually they were reunited and moved to America in the late 1940’s where they both had families and lived out the remainder of their lives. Neither Cicilia Alfred’s sister nor Alfred was ever able to reunite with the rest of their family.
Quotes: I will never forget and I will never forgive
I do not believe in the Red Cross, Alfred was expressing his anger after being let down by the lack of urgency in helping he and his sister Cicilia get information on the rest of their family.
Edith Coliver - Testimony 1 - Justin Middleton
Edith Coliver was a German native who survived the holocaust. She was from Karlsruhe, Germany. She was born in 1922 and remembers being very active in her Jewish faith. She said that her family had been from that part of Germany for roughly 300 years or more. She was the oldest of three, she had two younger brothers. When the Germans stopped allowing Jewish children to attend public school, Edith was sent to England by her parents to attend school there. Her father had friends in England to make this possible. In 1938 her parents called her home because her dad knew that war was going to break out in Europe. She originally did not want to go, however, she did obey her parents in the end. When she returned to Germany her family immediately filed for her to get a visa. Fortunately she was under 17 and the American consulate allowed her to come to the United States on his visa. If she had been of legal age, the waiting list for a visa was 10 years. Edith’s family came to New York and stayed for four weeks and then traveled through the Panama Canal to San Francisco. That is where they finished raising their children. The next major event in Edith’s life was she wanted to be a part of the Nuremberg Trials. She was hired as a translator and was immediately sent to Europe. There she encountered many of the top German officials in Hitler’s regime. She also visited the displaced person’s camps. She explained vividly that there was shame in being a German Jew that she had gotten out of the country and all of these other people had suffered so greatly. The reason Edith survived was because her family was able to get out of Europe to the United States before the killing started. Her consequence of surviving was to come back and participate in the trials held for the Germans. It was not easy for her, however, she felt it was necessary.
“After liberation 40,000 Jews died because their system could not accept food into it.”
“[Jewish] people had to be apologetic about surviving [in the displacement camps].”
“After liberation 40,000 Jews died because their system could not accept food into it.”
“[Jewish] people had to be apologetic about surviving [in the displacement camps].”
Survivor Testimony #1
William McKinney
Survivor Testimony
I watched the survivor video of William McKinney. During the first part of the video it seemed to me as if he did not want the interview to happen, he acted as if the lady giving the interview was annoying him. William was born in Pennsylvania, a Christian who had been drafted into the war at the age of 18. Throughout training William was harassed by other soldiers due to his race.
William was with a battalion that would go through the cities as the second wave of an ambush. While over in Europe he had to experience sleeping in weather conditions that he had never experienced before such as rain and snow. He would have to carry half of a tent, and when he would stop he would use half of his tent as a mattress and blanket even though it didn’t really help. While going through one of the towns William encountered two little boys who had been forced to watch their parents walk into one of the furnaces and be burnt alive. William wanted to adopt the boys, but the army wouldn’t let him because they had already set up an orphanage program for parents who had lost their children, and children who had lost their parents.
William survived the war by not really having to encounter very much of the fighting. The major fights he encountered were in Normandy and in Omaha Beach. He didn’t have any consequences of surviving the war. William after the war got married to a woman he promised to marry after he would get back from the war. He married two years after the war had ended and had three children. Two of William’s children are still alive today. The youngest child died at the age of 38 due to multiple sclerosis disease.
“War is Hell”
“ The white soldiers called us monkeys and would tell the people that we had tails”
Survivor Testimony
I watched the survivor video of William McKinney. During the first part of the video it seemed to me as if he did not want the interview to happen, he acted as if the lady giving the interview was annoying him. William was born in Pennsylvania, a Christian who had been drafted into the war at the age of 18. Throughout training William was harassed by other soldiers due to his race.
William was with a battalion that would go through the cities as the second wave of an ambush. While over in Europe he had to experience sleeping in weather conditions that he had never experienced before such as rain and snow. He would have to carry half of a tent, and when he would stop he would use half of his tent as a mattress and blanket even though it didn’t really help. While going through one of the towns William encountered two little boys who had been forced to watch their parents walk into one of the furnaces and be burnt alive. William wanted to adopt the boys, but the army wouldn’t let him because they had already set up an orphanage program for parents who had lost their children, and children who had lost their parents.
William survived the war by not really having to encounter very much of the fighting. The major fights he encountered were in Normandy and in Omaha Beach. He didn’t have any consequences of surviving the war. William after the war got married to a woman he promised to marry after he would get back from the war. He married two years after the war had ended and had three children. Two of William’s children are still alive today. The youngest child died at the age of 38 due to multiple sclerosis disease.
“War is Hell”
“ The white soldiers called us monkeys and would tell the people that we had tails”
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
"A film Unfinished" Thomas Belden
This film to me was not all that shocking. If you have seen any Holocaust movies or even been to the Holocaust museum you will realize there is a lot worse. I am not saying that what happened in this film is ok because it is certanly disgusting how these people were treated. It still baffles me how mankind can be so cruel to its own people.
What did surprise me is how the Germans played this film off as a propaganda piece but yet forced Jews to act how they wanted them to act. It is sad how A lot of Jews seemed to think if they were picked to be an actor or actress they would have an easier life. They were sadly mistakes. There is a part of the film when all the Jews are in a movie theater and they are forced to be sad or be happy or be shocked, really just whatever expression the NAZIS told them to do. If someone disobeyed these rules they would be taken out by a soldier never to be seen again. They all did this from morning to night without any food, water, or bathroom breaks. I can only imagine how frightening and awful that would be.
Also watching the reactions of the survivors from that ghetto just told me how bad the place must of been. There were several scenes in the movie that almost all the survivors interviews would turn away from the screen or cover their eyes. This must of been a very horrifying and traumatic experience for them. Sometimes i complain in the world I am growing up in and how bad the economy is but it is nothing like what the people in the film are going through. I have a clean place to live, food in my stomach, and many more luxuries. To these people I would be living like a king. I am glad that survivors came out of that place. Those people are probably some of the strongest people you have ever met. To go through all what they did and then continue living and make something of themselves. This to me is crazy. Makes me wonder if I would ever be able to survive like that.
" A Film Unfinished" Cody Baker
“A Film Unfinished’
The original film was supposed to make people believe that the Nazi party was being humane and giving the Jewish people a life of luxury. My question is, where was the luxury part? Sure, three healthy looking people got to eat what they normally eat a day, but what about the ones who were starving and had to smuggle food into their house to eat for the first time in a month.
My next question is, what was the propaganda? If they really wanted to make a propaganda film then they would not have shown the guards taking food away from children, leaving bodies on the side of the street, and then just throwing them in to a big hole in the ground. The ones who carried the bodies from the street to the burial site were just as bad as the guards, they would drop a body and act if it was just a piece of food that had dropped on the ground and didn’t really care. That part of the film was the most depressing, mainly because it was like the Jewish people were animals that no one cared about.
If I was given an opportunity to watch this film again, I would decline the offer. Watching the film was horrific the first time and I don’t think it will be any better the first time. The film showed slowed scenes which allowed you to analyze the whole screen to see what else was going on in the background and in the people’s faces. I think that watching this film again would be like watching the slowed scenes, you would be able to catch things that you wouldn’t have seen the first time through. I would not wish anything that I saw on this film, on to anyone. The people who survived are greatly thought of by hundreds of people, they did not have the luxury we have today. Appreciate what you have and the people around you, because in a split second everything can be taken and gone forever.
The original film was supposed to make people believe that the Nazi party was being humane and giving the Jewish people a life of luxury. My question is, where was the luxury part? Sure, three healthy looking people got to eat what they normally eat a day, but what about the ones who were starving and had to smuggle food into their house to eat for the first time in a month.
My next question is, what was the propaganda? If they really wanted to make a propaganda film then they would not have shown the guards taking food away from children, leaving bodies on the side of the street, and then just throwing them in to a big hole in the ground. The ones who carried the bodies from the street to the burial site were just as bad as the guards, they would drop a body and act if it was just a piece of food that had dropped on the ground and didn’t really care. That part of the film was the most depressing, mainly because it was like the Jewish people were animals that no one cared about.
If I was given an opportunity to watch this film again, I would decline the offer. Watching the film was horrific the first time and I don’t think it will be any better the first time. The film showed slowed scenes which allowed you to analyze the whole screen to see what else was going on in the background and in the people’s faces. I think that watching this film again would be like watching the slowed scenes, you would be able to catch things that you wouldn’t have seen the first time through. I would not wish anything that I saw on this film, on to anyone. The people who survived are greatly thought of by hundreds of people, they did not have the luxury we have today. Appreciate what you have and the people around you, because in a split second everything can be taken and gone forever.
A Film Unfinished - Ariel Lathrom
Anymore, I am not surprised by the cruelty of some people. We have a history full of violence and brutality. Although it doesn't surprise me anymore, it never ceases to disturb and disgust me. "A Film Unfinished" was the first to surprise me in a while. The film exposed the true intentions and actions of the Nazi's in the Warsaw ghettos. Because I live in a relatively peaceful place, it's hard to empathyze with the victims shown in the film. I have money, shelter, good food, and material possessions. I could never imagine living without these things. The victims in the film seemed to be without some or even all of these things.
I figured my initial reaction to the film would be anger toward the Nazi's, but instead I was only sad. When I see people doing aweful things, or just the effects of them (such as the extreme poverty in the film), I can only wish to help. I never could have, even if I wanted to, but I still sympathize with the victims who lived through the poverty and brutality.
While some images in the film were sad, others seemed like it was nothing more than everyday life, like people walking on the streets or going to the store. Even though this footage was somewhat decieving, you can still see the sadness in their faces, especially the children's faces, because they probably don't understand the situation. There was so much footage, but almost no one was smiling. Almost no Jew seemed like they were having a great time being filmed.
When I learned that a lot of the "normal" seeming scenes in the film were staged and used actors, I was deeply annoyed. It raises questions for me. Why would they choose to film in the first place if it's so difficult to hide the sadness in the faces of the people on the streets? And, of course, "Why do any of those things at all?" While the film was informitive and interesting, it always evoked more questions than it does provide answers. I can only keep wondering how people would do those brutal things that they did to their fellow men and women.
My reaction to the film ends with my palm to my face and a sad, drawn-out sigh.
I figured my initial reaction to the film would be anger toward the Nazi's, but instead I was only sad. When I see people doing aweful things, or just the effects of them (such as the extreme poverty in the film), I can only wish to help. I never could have, even if I wanted to, but I still sympathize with the victims who lived through the poverty and brutality.
While some images in the film were sad, others seemed like it was nothing more than everyday life, like people walking on the streets or going to the store. Even though this footage was somewhat decieving, you can still see the sadness in their faces, especially the children's faces, because they probably don't understand the situation. There was so much footage, but almost no one was smiling. Almost no Jew seemed like they were having a great time being filmed.
When I learned that a lot of the "normal" seeming scenes in the film were staged and used actors, I was deeply annoyed. It raises questions for me. Why would they choose to film in the first place if it's so difficult to hide the sadness in the faces of the people on the streets? And, of course, "Why do any of those things at all?" While the film was informitive and interesting, it always evoked more questions than it does provide answers. I can only keep wondering how people would do those brutal things that they did to their fellow men and women.
My reaction to the film ends with my palm to my face and a sad, drawn-out sigh.
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