Samuel B. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 0618
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Samuel B., who was born in Vilna, Poland in 1933. Mr. B. recounts his childhood perspective on the Russian occupation of Vilna; the arrival of the German army; and German anti-Jewish activities. He recalls arrival at Vilna's "old ghetto" with his parents; hiding outside of the ghetto in a monastery, through the arrangement of a baptized aunt; and being forced by circumstances to smuggle themselves back into the ghetto. He describes conditions within the ghetto; the ghetto's school; his own private education; his artistic activities within the ghetto; and his family's transfer to a nearby H.K.P. labor camp. He recounts his mother's escape to his aunt's home in Vilna; her successful arrangement to smuggle him out; and his later discovery of his father's wartime death. He relates life in Vilna under Russian occupation; their postwar escape to American-occupied Berlin via ?o?dz?; their two-year stay in Palestine during the height of the war; hearing many survivor stories in Israel; his travels as an artist in Europe; and the influence of his wartime experiences on his painting. Mr. B. also discusses his relationship with his children and his thoughts about Christianity and Judaism.

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.

Rules and Conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Process Info

  • compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies

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Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.