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.