Sidonia N. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Sidonia N., who was born in Vác, Hungary in 1916, one of twelve children. She recounts stories of her ancestors, who were well-known rabbis, her family's orthodoxy; her father's prominence as a teacher; attending a public school; German occupation; forced relocation to a brick factory; deportation with her family to Auschwitz; remaining with one sister (she never saw the others again); assistance from another prisoner in keeping her prayer book; praying during roll calls; transfer to Salzwedel; slave labor in a munitions factory; organizing clandestine group observations on Jewish holidays; a German guard giving her extra food because she "looked" German; a woman from her town giving birth (the child was immediately killed); liberation by United States troops; hospitalization in Salzwedel; moving to the Bergen-Belsen displaced persons camp; organizing orthodox observances including burials and kashruth, with assistance from a British rabbi; marriage to a Polish survivor (his wife and five children had been killed); her sister's marriage the next day; moving to Tirschenreuth displaced persons camp; the births of two children; emigration to the United States; assistance from the Joint; and the births of five more children. Ms. N. discusses the importance of faith and charitable deeds to her survival and life, and continuing contacts with many "children" she helped in the concentration and displaced persons camps.

2 videocassettes