Hanka J. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 2553
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Hanka J., who was born in Piaski Luterskie, Poland in 1931. She recalls brief German and Soviet occupations, then German takeover of Piaski; ghettoization; round-ups and deportations; her brother being killed after he was denounced for black marketeering; hiding with her family during round-ups; from their hiding place, hearing a baby being killed by the SS; obtaining false papers and escaping; hiding with Poles in a nearby village; being joined by her sisters who had been hiding in Warsaw; returning to the ghetto when their funds ran out; her father being killed in winter 1942; being left for dead after being beaten by the Jewish police; their escape when the ghetto was set ablaze; protection from a Polish fireman; obtaining shelter with the help of two Polish boys who married her sisters; hiding in the forests from Germans by day and the Armia Krajowa at night; receiving food from a village woman; and liberation by Soviet troops. Mrs. J. recounts finding her sisters; their move to Lublin; fearing to reveal she was Jewish; traveling illegally to Berlin; and emigration to Argentina. She notes the importance of respecting all people.

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

  • J., Hanka, -- 1931-

Corporate Bodies

  • Poland. -- Polskie Siły Zbrojne. -- Armia Krajowa.

Subjects

  • Postwar experiences.
  • Forests.
  • False papers.
  • Hiding.
  • Aid by non-Jews.
  • Soviet occupation.
  • Child survivors.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- Poland.
  • Antisemitism -- Postwar.
  • Jewish ghettos.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
  • World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
  • Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
  • Sisters.
  • Mothers and daughters.
  • Escapes.
  • Jews -- Poland -- Piaski Luterskie.
  • Women.
  • Video tapes.
  • Holocaust survivors.

Places

  • Piaski Luterskie ghetto.
  • Lublin (Poland)
  • Piaski Luterskie (Poland)
  • 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.