Leo S. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Leo S., who was born in Chicago in 1908. He recalls serving in the Air Force during World War II, stationed in the United States; volunteering to work for UNRRA in displaced persons camps in Europe after the war; being posted to Landsberg; working with staff from the Joint and with the survivors; helping Samuel Bak, a child prodigy, obtain painting supplies and workspace; learning his aunt, her husband, son, his wife, and their two children had survived in Siberia; traveling illegally to Legnica to bring his relatives to Landsberg; arranging for Samuel Bak to make sculptures for the camp entrance; Purim and Passover celebrations; notifying journalists of his thwarted efforts to improve poor camp conditions (he shows the New York Times article); and an American general who responded to his pleas. Mr. S. is joined by his wife, who tells of his daily letters describing Landsberg, and by Hirsch A., a survivor who assisted in camp administration. Mr. S. discusses other survivors in the camp, including interviewer Toby Blum-Dobkin's parents. Mr. S. shows photographs, documents, and memorabilia.
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
- Bak, Samuel.
- S., Leo, -- 1908-
Corporate Bodies
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
- United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.
- Landsberg am Lech (Displaced persons camp)
Subjects
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Men.
- Video tapes.
- Postwar experiences.
- Refugee camps.
Places
- Legnica (Poland)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat