Martin S. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1091
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

A follow-up, directed videotape testimony of Martin S., whose first testimony was recorded in 1986. Mr. S. notes his first testimony was primarily for his children; hope that future scholars can discover the basis for extreme cruelty; meaninglessness of time in concentration camps; being kept alive in Skarz?ysko as a model factory worker because he ran so many machines at once; an SS officer saving his mother and brother to reward him, but randomly killing others; believing "they made an animal out of" him which still governs much of his present behavior; becoming completely introverted, obsessed with his own survival; guilt that he did not share food with others; staying out of sight, lying about his age and exceeding work quotas as survival strategies; improved conditions in Buchenwald; passionately wanting revenge after liberation; gradually acquiring humane values, particularly from his mother; fear of identifying himself as a Jew for many years after liberation, but raising his children in orthodoxy; resentment that he had no childhood; trying to capture some sense of youth through his children; bitterness at not understanding why he was the object of such intense hatred; continuing dreams; and hope that humans will learn to be less cruel.

Extent and Medium

4 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.

Related Units of Description

  • Associated material: Martin S. Holocaust testimony (HVT-641), Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies, Yale University Library.

Rules and Conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Process Info

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

People

Corporate Bodies

Subjects

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.