Jack K. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1016
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Jack K., who was born in Wieliczka, Poland in 1924, the oldest of seven children. He recalls cordial relations with non-Jews until 1936; attending yeshiva and public school in Krako?w until 1939; German invasion; ghettoization and formation of a Judenrat; finding his father's body after a mass murder; the influx of Jews from Krako?w to Wieliczka; forced labor at degrading tasks; transfer to Pustko?w; daily hangings; escape to Wieliczka; hiding; and working to obtain food for his siblings. Mr. K. recounts incidents in the Krako?w ghetto, Wieliczka, P?aszo?w, and another camp; frequent brutality and killings; transfer to Mauthausen, Steyr, and Gusen; liberation by United States troops in May 1945; recuperation in Gmunden, Austria; living in a displaced persons camp; meeting his wife; and emigrating to the United States in 1949. Mr. K. vividly details many incidents and notes he "can shut it off" so it won't "drive me crazy."

Extent and Medium

2 videocassettes

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

People

  • K., Jack, -- 1924-
  • Gusen (Concentration camp)

Corporate Bodies

  • Pustków (Concentration camp)
  • Mauthausen (Concentration camp)
  • Płaszów (Concentration camp)

Subjects

  • Postwar experiences.
  • Child survivors.
  • Escapes.
  • Antisemitism -- Prewar.
  • Jewish ghettos.
  • Jews -- Poland -- Wieliczka.
  • Forced labor.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Atrocities.
  • Jewish councils.
  • Refugee camps.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
  • Jews -- Poland -- Kraków.
  • Holocaust survivors.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
  • Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
  • Men.
  • Video tapes.

Places

  • Gmunden (Austria)
  • Kraków (Poland)
  • Kraków ghetto.
  • Wieliczka ghetto.
  • Steyr (Austria : Concentration camp)
  • Poland.
  • Wieliczka (Poland)

Genre

  • Oral histories. -- aat
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.