Fred M. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Fred M., who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1927. He recalls childhood awareness of danger around him; orthodox observances of holidays and Sabbath; his father's deportation to Poland in October 1938 (he never saw him again); Kristallnacht resulting in their realization they had to escape; his mother arranging to illegally send him and his sister away; the painful separation from her at the Dutch border (he never saw her again); staying in a children's home in Hoogeveen; being moved to Claydon, England (his sister remained and later perished in Bergen-Belsen); moving to Westgate, then London; the outbreak of war; staying with non-Jewish families in Chelmsford, then in a Jewish boys home in Ely; living in poverty upon his return to London; membership in ORT; a Jewish roommate who became a lifelong friend; participating in a synagogue youth group; volunteering for the Red Cross during German bombings; learning that no one in his immediate family had survived; emigrating to the United States in 1947 to join relatives; and marriage to a Viennese refugee. Mr. M. discusses his mother's courage in sending her children away. He shows photographs.
Extent and Medium
2 videocassettes
Conditions Governing Access
This testimony is open with permission.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Copyright has been transferred to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. Use of this testimony requires permission of the Fortunoff Video Archive.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- M., Fred, -- 1927-
Corporate Bodies
- World ORT Union.
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Subjects
- Antisemitism -- Prewar.
- Child survivors.
- Postwar experiences.
- Crystal Night, 1938.
- Orphanages.
- Brothers and sisters.
- Kristallnacht, 1938.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Jews -- Rescue.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Refugees, Jewish.
- Jews -- Migrations.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Video tapes.
- Men.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
Places
- Germany.
- Hoogeveen (Netherlands)
- Berlin (Germany)
- London (England)
- Westgate (England)
- Ely (England)
- Chelmsford (England)
- Claydon (England)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat