Elias R. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Elias R., who was born in Thessalonike?, Greece in 1932. He recalls details of Jewish life; traveling with his mother to Athens for his uncle's wedding; remaining there in order to be under Italian occupation (Thessalonike? was under German control); having his brother smuggled to Athens; returning to Thessalonike?; ghettoization; obtaining exit documents from Spain (his mother was Spanish); hiding during round-ups; his father's deportation (he did not return); escaping with his mother and brother to Athens with help from the underground; departing in a German military train; a search in Belgrade revealing they had secret Spanish diplomatic correspondence; having to leave the train in Vienna because the correspondence was discovered; the Spanish government facilitating their continuing on to Paris, then Madrid; assistance from the Joint; British intelligence encouraging them to report on their journey; moving to Tel Aviv; joining an uncle in Cairo; returning to Athens in 1945; learning that most of Thessalonike?'s Jews had perished; his mother's futile attempt to reclaim family property; and their emigration to the United States in 1951. Mr. R. notes reluctance to discuss his experience with his brother, mother, and son.

2 videocassettes