Josephine B. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Josephine B., who was born in Amsterdam in 1932. She recalls her youth in a prosperous family; German occupation; her father's activities in the resistance; his escape from the Netherlands; attending a Jewish school; transport to Westerbork with her mother, brother and sister in November 1942; and living in the orphanage when their mother feigned illness to delay deportation. Mrs. B. recounts their transfer to Bergen-Belsen fifteen months later; living conditions; transport east as the Allies approached; liberation from the train in April 1945; her mother's, brother's and sister's illnesses; her obsession with food; becoming ill herself; their June return to Amsterdam; learning about Auschwitz; reunion with her aunt and her father; emigration to England; attending boarding school; and returning to Amsterdam in 1948. Mrs. B. reflects upon her regrets at never discussing wartime experiences with her siblings and mother; efforts to shield her children from her experience; her resentment toward her father for deserting the family and not having saved them when he could; and the vividness of her memories and recent efforts to work through these problems.

2 videocassettes (3/4" u-matic)