Julia E. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Julia E., who was born in Transylvania in 1928. She recalls her childhood in an affluent family; her family's involvement in Hashomer Hatzair; Hungarian occupation in 1940; German invasion on March 19, 1944; anti-Jewish restrictions; help from a Hungarian classmate, who remains a close friend; ghettoization; deportation to Auschwitz in May 1944; separation from her parents and brother upon arrival (she never saw her mother again); receiving three messages from her father advising them to try to leave Auschwitz; witnessing the killing of newborns to save the mothers' lives; separation from one sister upon transfer to another barrack; assistance from a Blockaltester during a brief infirmary stay; transfer with her sister to Bergen-Belsen; forced labor; transfer to Geisenheim, Kaufering, and Allach; train evacuation; passing another train from which they heard their brother's voice; liberation by United States troops; and taking shoes from an SS member, her only act of revenge. Mrs. E. recounts staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen; traveling to Budapest; reunion with her siblings; and emigrating to the United States in 1982. She discusses the importance of her sister to her survival; continuing nightmares; a nervous breakdown when she reached the age at which her mother was killed; her brother's suicide; and her essential relationship with her daughter's family.
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
- E., Julia, -- 1928-
Corporate Bodies
- Auschwitz (Concentration camp)
- Bergen-Belsen (Concentration camp)
- Kaufering (Concentration camp)
- World Hashomer Hatzair.
Subjects
- Postwar effects.
- Child survivors.
- Childbirth in concentration camps.
- Revenge.
- Jewish ghettos.
- Postwar experiences.
- Mutual aid.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Hungarian occupation.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Women.
- Death marches.
- Forced labor.
- Fathers and daughters.
- Sisters.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Video tapes.
Places
- Budapest (Hungary)
- Transylvania (Romania)
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany)
- Geisenheim (Germany : Concentration camp)
- Allach (Germany : Concentration camp)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat