Irene S. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Irene S., who was born in 1925 in the Galician town of Vizezhany and grew up in Grudziadz, Poland. She describes her life as the daughter of a prominent local musician; her family's move to Bia?ystok in 1938; and their life there under Russian and German occupation. She speaks of the ghettoization of Bia?ystok; ghetto life; her underground activities there; and her capture and transport to Majdanek by way of Treblinka. She tells of her experiences in Majdanek; in a small nearby labor camp; in Auschwitz; and as a slave laborer in Germany where she was liberated by the Americans in Kaunitz. Mrs. S. notes the fates of family members; postwar experiences working as a translator; and her emigration to the United States. She also makes reference to Jewish self-deception during the Holocaust; sings songs sung by Jews during the war, including some of her own composition; and asserts her belief in the possibility of a more humane world.
Extent and Medium
3 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. This testimony cannot be used in any broadcast available to the public.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- S., Irene, -- 1925-
Corporate Bodies
- Majdanek (Concentration camp)
- Treblinka (Concentration camp)
- Auschwitz (Concentration camp)
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- Poland.
- Jews -- Poland -- BiaŁystok.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Songs and music.
- Concentration camps -- Songs and music.
- Jewish ghettos.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Psychological aspects.
- Resistance.
- Jewish councils.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Video tapes.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Forced labor.
- Women.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
Places
- Poland.
- Białystok ghetto.
- Grudziądz (Poland)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat