Cela L. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Cela L., who was born in Kielce, Poland, circa 1932. She describes completing first grade in 1939; German invasion; her nanny leaving; ghettoization; smuggling food from Polish friends; killings during round-ups in 1942; transfer to the slave labor camp with her family; her father saving her from a children's round-up; her shame at being one of two children left alive; being hidden during roll calls; her parents' futile attempt to arrange her escape; her joy at not being separated from them; public hangings; deportation to Auschwitz in 1944; remaining with her mother (she never saw her father and brother again); always returning to her mother when they were separated; escaping from a group selected for gassing; their transfer to Ravensbru?ck, then Malchow; prisoners arranging for her to be assigned to the infirmary since she was too small for other work; sharing extra food with her mother; carrying corpses; assistance from the doctors; liberation by Red Cross workers organized by Folke Bernadotte; transfer to Denmark, then Sweden; and emigration to Israel in 1949. Mrs. L. reflects on the importance of being with her mother; assistance from Germans and fellow prisoners; praying in camps; the loss of her childhood; desire for revenge; and nightmares.
Extent and Medium
3 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
- Bernadotte, Folke, -- 1895-1948.
- L., Cela, -- ca. 1932-
Corporate Bodies
- RavensbruĚck (Concentration camp)
- International Red Cross and Red-Crescent Movement.
- Auschwitz (Concentration camp)
- Malchow (Concentration camp)
Subjects
- Family.
- Mothers and daughters.
- Revenge.
- Poland.
- Jews -- Poland -- Kielce.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Atrocities.
- Concentration camps -- Psychological aspects.
- Forced labor.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- Jewish ghettos.
- Concentration camp inmates -- Religious life.
- Video tapes.
- Women.
- Nightmares.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Postwar experiences.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Postwar effects.
- Faith.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Psychological aspects.
- Mutual aid.
- Child survivors.
- Holocaust survivors.
Places
- Kielce ghetto.
- Kielce (Poland : Concentration camp)
- Kielce (Poland)
- Sweden.
- Denmark.
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat