HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR PROGRAM
Holocaust Education History
Selfhelp is dedicated to remembering the Holocaust and raising awareness of the survivor population still in need today. Through creative educational initiatives, we’re ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust will not be forgotten by generations to come. Help us educate future generations about the Holocaust.
STORIES FROM HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Never Forget: Stories from Holocaust Survivors
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Holocaust survivor Joe shares his extraordinary story as a “hidden child” in the occupied Netherlands. Entrusted to the Dutch resistance at just seven months old, Joe grew up under a false identity. His powerful testimony explores the incredible courage of the underground network, the reality of wartime hiding, and a bittersweet post-war reunion with biological parents who felt like strangers. Though he considered his hidden family a blessing, he shared that from an early age, he knew he was separated—and felt almost invisible. Key moments in this video:
- Joe reflects on being born in Groningen in 1942 under Nazi occupation.
- How Joe’s mother tricked the Nazis to free his father from a labor camp.
- Growing up with a loving Protestant resistance family, where a toddler’s outburst nearly cost them everything.
- Joe’s birth parents endured transit camps and beatings, while his grandmother perished at the Sobibor extermination camp.
- The emotional confusion of leaving his wartime family for biological parents who felt like strangers.
- Moving to the U.S., building a 40-year career in education, and finding his voice at the 1991 Hidden Child Conference.
Joe’s story is a profound testament to the bravery of ordinary citizens and the enduring resilience of children. Watch the full video to hear Joe’s complete story of identity, survival, and memory.
Holocaust survivor Ilse shares her poignant story of survival. She was born just outside of Vienna and later escaped on the Kindertransport. Her journey sheds light on the hidden struggles of young refugees and her remarkable transformation into a champion for others. Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Vienna and facing the sudden loss of freedom after the 1938 Anschluss.
- Her sister was also on the Kindertransport waiting list when she was able to escape to England in 1939.
- Enduring isolation while living with a prominent foster family in Liverpool.
- Finding the courage to leave her foster home at age fourteen to work in an orphanage.
- Coping with the tragic loss of her mother and sister. Her father passed away after the war ended, but before they were able to reunite.
- Rebuilding her life through education in Australia, and eventually immigrated to the United States.
- Shaping a powerful legacy by establishing the Melamid Institute for Affordable Housing to help older adults age in dignity.
Ilse’s story is a moving testament to human resilience and the profound drive to help others. Driven by the loss of her own childhood home, she dedicated her life to ensuring others have a safe place to live. Her vital advice to us all: never be a bystander and always take action.
Read Ilse’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Irene shares her story of survival as a hidden child in Belgium. Before the Nazi invasion of Belgium in May 1940, life for her family remained relatively normal. From a seemingly normal childhood to living under a false identity in a house shared with a German officer, her journey is one of immense courage and miraculous near-misses. Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Brussels and the family’s initial flight to France before returning to occupied Belgium.
- Hiding in plain sight with her piano teacher under the false name “Irene Van Elst.”
- The incredible irony of her parents hiding in the attic of a Nazi-sympathizing barber.
- Surviving air raids in a basement alongside a German officer.
- Liberation in 1945 and the bittersweet realization of family losses.
- A chance meeting in a park that led to her marriage to fellow survivor Herbert.
- Immigrating to the United States and building a legacy of three children and seven grandchildren.
Irene’s story is a powerful reminder of the complexity of survival—where safety was found in the most unlikely places. Her advice to future generations to stay curious and learn their history remains timeless. Watch the full video to hear Irene’s complete story of survival, luck, and enduring love.
Read Irene’s full biography here.
To learn more about Irene’s story, please visit: https://www.humansoftelaviv.co.il/ire…
Holocaust survivor Evelyne shares her story of survival, from a childhood in Paris to her family’s active role in the French resistance and her experience in Switzerland. Her journey is a gripping account of courage, resilience, and the fight for freedom.
Key moments in this video:
- A relatively ordinary childhood in Paris that was shattered by the Nazi invasion.
- Fleeing to the “free zone” and her family’s involvement in the resistance network in Lyon.
- Her older sister, Rachel, acting as a courier to save Jewish families.
- Hiding from the Gestapo and surviving a close call with French police.
- A failed attempt to cross the Swiss border, leading to her arrest and subsequent release.
- Her harrowing escape over a barbed-wire fence into Switzerland.
- Reuniting with her family after the war and building a new life in the United States.
Evelyne’s story is a powerful testament to the bravery of those who resisted and the will to survive against all odds. Her message to future generations is to fight for democracy and nurture their passions.
Read Evelyne’s full biography here.
To view Evelyne’s photographs, please visit: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2ba6985dec.html
To view another interview with Evelyne, please visit: https://youtu.be/HznCEwUsEaQ
To hear Evelyne share her story on a Spotify podcast, please visit: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/the-last-generation/episodes/S02-E05-Evelyne-Appel-e2uic8h/a-abp4lno
Learn more about the Holocaust here.
Holocaust survivor Edith shares her story for the first time, recounting her childhood in Budapest, Hungary, and her family’s harrowing experiences during the Holocaust. From facing antisemitism at age 5 to losing her father and great-grandmother just days before liberation, Edith’s story is one of resilience, loss, and survival.
Key moments in this video:
- Early experiences of antisemitism in Hungary
- Her family’s failed attempt to emigrate to Palestine
- Living under Nazi occupation and the yellow star decree
- Forced relocation and separation from family
- The murder of her father and great-grandmother
- Liberation and life after the Holocaust
- Rebuilding her life in New York
Edith’s courage in sharing these memories ensures that the stories of Holocaust survivors are preserved for future generations.
Read Edith’s full biography here.
Learn more about the Holocaust here.
Holocaust survivor Faina shares her powerful story for the first time, recounting her childhood in Leningrad on the cusp of World War II and her family’s incredible journey of survival. From escaping the brutal Siege of Leningrad to enduring antisemitism and rebuilding her life, Faina’s story is one of profound loss, resilience, and determination.
Key moments in this video:
- Life in Leningrad just before the war began.
- Her family’s harrowing escape to Siberia during the Siege.
- The tragic loss of her father to starvation and cold.
- Overcoming antisemitism to pursue higher education.
- Life after the war and returning to a ruined city.
- Immigrating to the United States in 1979.
Faina’s courage in sharing these deeply personal memories ensures that this important history is never forgotten.
Read Faina’s full biography here.
Learn more about the Holocaust here.
Holocaust survivor Zelda shares her poignant story of survival, from her childhood in the small shtetl of Drujsk to the harrowing years she spent in hiding during the war. From unimaginable loss to eventual liberation, Zelda’s journey is a powerful testament to her enduring strength and spirit.
Key moments in this video:
- Life in Drujsk before and during Soviet and Nazi occupation.
- Escaping the ghetto and hiding in the woods.
- The heartbreaking loss of her mother.
- Liberation by the Soviet army and life in a Displaced Persons camp.
- Rebuilding her life in the United States.
- Her career as a Hebrew teacher and her advice for future generations.
Zelda’s courage in sharing her story ensures these vital memories are preserved and that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.
Watch the full video to hear Zelda’s complete story of survival, resilience, and hope.
Read Zelda’s full biography here. Find Zelda’s HeyZine here.
To listen to Zelda’s story, please visit here.
To learn more about Zelda, please visit here.
Holocaust survivor Sosana shares her incredible story of resilience, from a childhood in Czechoslovakia marked by early loss to the horrors of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Her journey is a profound testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Key moments in this video:
- Her childhood in Czechoslovakia and the loss of her parents.
- Deportation to a ghetto and then to Auschwitz.
- The brutal conditions and separation from her family.
- Forced labor and survival in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
- Liberation and the difficult journey back to life.
- Rebuilding her life, starting a family, and moving to Israel and then the United States.
Sosana’s courage in sharing her memories ensures that the stories of survivors are preserved for future generations. Her advice to listen to your parents is a simple yet powerful reflection on the importance of family.
Read Sosana’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Ellen shares her remarkable story, from a childhood in Germany overshadowed by the rise of Nazism to her rescue and a new life abroad. Her journey is a moving account of separation, survival, and the challenges of rebuilding a family torn apart by war.
Key moments in this video:
- Witnessing Kristallnacht as a five-year-old in her hometown of Rexingen.
- Her escape from Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport in July 1939.
- Life in England with a foster family and at a hostel with other refugee children.
- Her parents’ separate, perilous escapes to the United States.
- The emotional reunion with her parents in New York after the war.
- The difficulties of adjusting to a new life in a new country.
Ellen’s story is a powerful reminder of the Kindertransport rescue efforts and the lasting impact of trauma and displacement on a generation of children.
Read Ellen’s full biography here.
To read Ellen’s work, please visit here.
Holocaust survivor and artist Hedy shares her inspiring story of escaping Nazi-occupied Austria and building a life dedicated to her passion for art. From a joyous childhood in Vienna to finding refuge and becoming a celebrated artist, Hedy’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and hope.
Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Vienna and experiencing the rise of the Nazi regime.
- Her family’s escape from persecution to find refuge in Panama in 1938.
- Emigrating to the United States to study at the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Meeting her husband, Eric, also a Holocaust survivor, and building a life together.
- Her successful career as an artist, teacher, and volunteer in New York.
- Showcasing her artwork in numerous private and public collections.
Hedy’s story is a powerful testament to how art can be a source of strength and expression, transcending even the darkest of times.
Watch the full video to hear Hedy’s complete story of survival and artistic legacy.
Read Hedy’s full biography here.
To see Hedy’s artwork, please visit here.
Artist and Holocaust survivor Diana shares her inspiring story of emigrating from Vienna and becoming a distinguished figure in the international art world. Her life and work are a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of artistic expression.
Key moments in this video:
- Her early life in Vienna and emigration to the United States in 1940.
- Her extensive education at Brandeis University and Columbia University.
- A celebrated career with art exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide.
- Recognition through prestigious awards, grants, and artist residencies.
- Her legacy as an influential educator at numerous esteemed art institutions.
- Showcasing her artwork in collections like the Wien Museum, Yad Vashem, and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Diana’s journey is an extraordinary story of transforming her life experiences into a profound artistic legacy that continues to inspire.
Watch the full video to learn more about Diana’s incredible life and contributions to the art world.
Read Diana’s full biography here.
To see Diana’s artwork, please visit here.
Holocaust survivor Henry shares his powerful story, from a patriotic German childhood in Augsburg to the harrowing persecution of his family under the Nazi regime. His journey of survival, escape, and lifelong dedication to education is a moving testament to resilience and the importance of remembrance.
Key moments in this video:
- A patriotic German-Jewish upbringing in Augsburg.
- The rise of Nazism and the growing antisemitism he faced from his first day of school.
- Witnessing the Augsburg Synagogue burn on Kristallnacht.
- The arrest and imprisonment of his father in Dachau concentration camp.
- His brother’s escape on the Kindertransport.
- The family’s narrow escape to England just one week before the war began.
- His dedication to Holocaust education and preserving the memories of his family.
Henry’s commitment to sharing his experiences ensures that future generations understand the horrors of the Holocaust and the lessons it holds.
Watch the full video to hear Henry’s complete story of survival and his mission to educate.
Read Henry’s full biography here.
To read some of Henry and Fred’s work, please visit here.
Holocaust survivor and distinguished physician Dr. Liane shares her incredible story of survival through Nazi and Soviet persecution, and her journey to becoming a leader in medicine. From a childhood in Czernowitz to a celebrated career spanning multiple continents, her life is a powerful testament to resilience, intellect, and the will to survive.
Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Czernowitz during the rise of Nazism and the Soviet occupation.
- Hiding from deportation and surviving the Czernowitz Ghetto.
- A miraculous escape from a train bound for a concentration camp.
- Life as a refugee in post-war Romania under a communist regime.
- Overcoming state-sanctioned antisemitism to complete her medical education.
- Emigrating to Israel and later the United States.
- Her distinguished 40-year career at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Liane’s story is a profound account of enduring multiple totalitarian regimes and a reminder of the importance of never giving up. Her courage in sharing her memories ensures this vital history is preserved for future generations.
Watch the full video to hear Liane’s complete story of survival and her remarkable contributions to medicine.
Read Liane’s full biography here.
To see Liane’s work, please visit here.
Holocaust survivor Tibor shares his incredible story of survival, from a childhood in Budapest upended by the Nazi occupation to a daring escape during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. His journey is a remarkable account of luck, courage, and the sheer will to live against all odds.
Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Budapest and experiencing the German occupation in March 1944.
- Hiding in a small, concealed room with his mother until liberation.
- A tense encounter with Hungarian soldiers where his mother’s honesty saved them.
- Serving in the Hungarian army and being released just before the 1956 revolution.
- Escaping Hungary with his mother during the revolution to find safety in Vienna.
- His journey as a refugee to the United States and building a new life in New York.
Tibor’s story is a powerful testament to surviving not just one, but two tumultuous periods in Hungarian history. His resilience and the pivotal decisions made by his family ensured his survival.
Watch the full video to hear Tibor’s complete story of survival, escape, and starting anew.
Read Tibor’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Margareta shares her harrowing story of being a hidden child in Romania during the Holocaust. From being forced to wear the Yellow Star to surviving for over a year in a cave, her journey is a profound story of a mother’s determination and a child’s resilience.
Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Gerta Mica, Romania, and the imposition of anti-Jewish laws.
- The separation from her father, older sister, and grandparents.
- Her mother’s desperate escape, hiding in a hot, smoky attic for two months.
- Surviving for over a year in a small, damp cave in the woods.
- Liberation by the Russians and the emotional aftermath of trauma.
- The miraculous reunion with her father after the war.
- Building a new life and emigrating to the United States.
Known as the “miracle child” in her village, Margareta’s courage in sharing her story ensures that the experiences of hidden children during the Holocaust are never forgotten.
Watch the full video to hear Margareta’s complete story of survival, loss, and the enduring strength of family.
Read Margareta’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Sonia shares her powerful story of enduring the unimaginable, from the Warsaw Ghetto to multiple concentration camps, and building a new life filled with purpose. Her journey is a testament to incredible strength and the resilience of the human spirit.
Key moments in this video:
- Life in the Warsaw Ghetto until mid-1943.
- Deportation to Majdanek and then Auschwitz.
- Forced transport to Ravensbrück and Malchow.
- Surviving a death march and being liberated by American soldiers in April 1945.
- Meeting her husband and starting the first post-war Jewish business in Mittenwald, Germany.
- Building a successful life and catering business in Buffalo, New York.
- Her dedicated volunteer work with community organizations.
Sonia’s courage in sharing her story ensures that the horrors she endured are never forgotten and serves as an inspiration for future generations.
Watch the full video to hear Sonia’s complete story of survival, hope, and community leadership.
Read Sonia’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Anne shares her poignant story of a childhood shattered by Nazism, a daring escape, and the long journey to rebuilding her life. From the horrors of Kristallnacht to finding refuge in a new country, her journey is a powerful account of loss, survival, and the enduring strength of family.
Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Frankfurt am Main and the rise of Nazi persecution.
- The terrifying experience of Kristallnacht, where her father was taken to Buchenwald.
- Her father’s release and escape to England.
- Anne’s own escape on one of the last Kindertransport trains in August 1939.
- The loss of her mother and brother, who perished in Auschwitz.
- Reuniting with her father and emigrating to the United States.
- Facing suspicion as a German refugee in wartime America.
- Building a new life and finding happiness with her family.
Anne’s story is a moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit and serves as a vital historical memory of the Kindertransport and the profound trauma experienced by survivors.
Watch the full video to hear Anne’s complete story of survival, loss, and the creation of a new legacy.
Read Anne’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Robert shares his powerful story of enduring the Nazi occupation of Budapest, surviving the ghetto, and escaping a second totalitarian regime. His journey is a remarkable testament to resilience in the face of immense loss and historical turmoil.
Key moments in this video:
- Growing up in Budapest and the seizure of his family’s apartment.
- The roundup of Jews in 1944 and narrowly avoiding separation from his mother.
- Surviving under terrible conditions in the Budapest ghetto until liberation in 1945.
- The loss of his father and living in post-war Communist Hungary.
- His daring escape across the Austrian border at age 18 during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
- Arriving in the United States on Christmas Eve 1956 to start a new life.
- Finding a life-long partner and building a home in New York City.
Robert’s story is an incredible account of surviving two oppressive regimes and finding freedom and love in a new country. His courage in sharing his memories ensures this vital history is preserved.
Watch the full video to hear Robert’s complete story of survival, escape, and resilience.
Read Robert’s full biography here.
Holocaust survivor Henry shares his moving story of survival, from a childhood in Leipzig, Germany, to the horrors of multiple concentration camps. His journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss and brutality.
Key moments in this video:
- Witnessing his father’s arrest on Kristallnacht and the seizure of his family’s business.
- Deportation to the Theresienstadt camp-ghetto in 1943.
- Forced labor in Theresienstadt, including preparing the camp for a Red Cross inspection.
- Transport to Auschwitz, where he was separated from his family.
- Enduring slave labor in Friedland, a sub-camp of Gross-Rosen.
- Liberation by Russian troops in 1945 and the heartbreaking search for his family.
- Building a new life and a successful career in New York City’s fashion industry.
Henry’s story is a vital reminder of the human cost of hatred and the courage it took to start over. His experience ensures that the atrocities of the Holocaust are never forgotten.
Watch the full video to hear Henry’s complete story of loss, survival, and rebuilding a life from nothing.
Read Henry’s full biography here.
Cooking and HEARTS Project
Cooking and HEARTS Project
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Ruth Zimbler is a 95-year old Austrian Kindertransport survivor. Ruth was only ten years old when Kristallnacht occurred in 1938. During Kristallnacht, she and her younger brother, Walter, witnessed the destruction of the largest synagogue in Vienna from their apartment. Later, her family was locked out of their apartment and her father was sent to Dachau. Concerned about the safety of his children, Ruth’s father secured places for them on the first Kindertransport, a series of rescue efforts that brought thousands of refugee Jewish children out of German-occupied Europe.
At just six months old, Jill Chase was forced into hiding with Catholic nuns as a safety measure by her family. Jill recounts the horrors of being “thrown out of her home and forced to live in hiding.” Jill stayed in a convent with this group of Catholic nuns for three years. In 1944, a Jewish chaplain from England retrieved Jill to bring her back to her family and home.
HEARTS is a virtual exhibition featuring artwork created by Holocaust survivors. Through their art, survivors contemplate their Holocaust memories and process the emotions they carry. By viewing these works, we’re brought closer to the history of the Holocaust.
View the HEARTS virtual exhibition
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What Happens When Holocaust Survivors Stop Sharing Their Stories
HELP EDUCATE FUTURE GENERATIONS
Selfhelp is dedicated to remembering the Holocaust and raising awareness of the survivor population still in need today. Through creative educational initiatives, we’re ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust will not be forgotten by generations to come. Help us educate future generations about the Holocaust.
