Ilse W. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 2253
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Ilse W., who was born in Rotenburg, Germany in 1927. She recalls anti-Jewish harassment; her older brother attending a Jewish boarding school in Kassel; moving to Frankfurt in 1936 hoping it would be safer if they were in a bigger city; attending Jewish school (the Philanthropin) with her brother; increasing isolation; a former maid who smuggled food to them; and difficulty comprehending their changing situation. Mrs. W. recounts Kristallnacht; her father's arrest and incarceration in Buchenwald; his release and emigration to Holland; leaving for England in June 1939 on a children's transport; and her father accompanying her during the train trip through Holland. She describes cruel treatment in a school for refugee children in the British countryside; smuggling a letter to Bloomsbury House describing conditions; the subsequent disbandment of the school; her transfer to a wonderful home in Folkstone; corresponding with her father; learning of her family's emigration to the United States; joining them in Chicago in February 1940; and their efforts to earn a living and become educated.

Extent and Medium

2 videocassettes (3/4" u-matic)

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

Subjects

Places

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.