Jozef K. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Jozef K., who was born in Piešt̕any, Czechoslovakia in 1919. He recalls his father's death in 1925; the family's move to Bolešov; cordial relations with non-Jews; graduating from business school in 1940; conscription into the Jewish forced labor Sixth Slovak Brigade in March 1942; joining the "kosher" group; slave labor in many places; protection of the Brigade by General František Catlos; escape during the uprising in 1944; traveling to Banská Bystrica; joining the uprising with the partisans in many locations; hiding in forests; fleeing German forces with 300 partisans; hiding with assistance from locals; joining Czech forces; execution of SS by a Czech officer who had survived Auschwitz; entering Prague with liberating forces in May 1945; learning most of his family had been killed; reunion with his sister in Bratislava in February 1946 (she survived concentration camps); joining the Communist Party; marriage; losing his job because he had met Rudolf Slánský; and antisemitic discrimination. Mr. K. discusses ceasing to believe in God after learning most of his family was killed; believing his survival was due to luck; his lifelong commitment to fight fascism; and his recent return to Judaism. He sings the Sixth Brigade song.

2 videocassettes