Raysa K. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 2002
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Raysa K., who was born in 1921. She recalls growing up in Kiev; marriage to a Soviet officer in February 1940; working for the Soviet army in Pryluky; German invasion; returning to Kiev in October after the mass killing at Babi Yar; observing posted notices dated September instructing Jews to assemble with warm clothing and their valuables; posing as a non-Jew using false papers; denouncement by a former housekeeper; incarceration, still as a non-Jew; forced labor; assistance from a Ukrainian policeman who recognized her; observing the brutal beatings and killing of Jewish female prisoners; transfer to Zhmerynka; escape with a few other prisoners; hiding briefly; living in Zhmerynka after liberation; returning to Kiev; reunion with her father and husband who had served in the Soviet military; antisemitic discrimination; testifying at the camp commandant's trial; recovering property stolen by neighbors during the war; attending annual memorial ceremonies at Babi Yar; her father's death in 1975; and emigration to the United States in 1979. Mrs. K. discusses losing many relatives in the mass killing at Babi Yar, including her mother and sister. She shows photographs.

Extent and Medium

1 videocassette

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

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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.