Joachim K. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Joachim K., who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1922. He recalls observing Jewish holidays, although his family was not religious and had a strong sense of German identity; his parents' Zionism; his membership in a Zionist youth group; attending a Jewish school; overnight changes when Hitler came to power; frequent Nazi parades; as a boy, wanting to be part of the parades and Hitler Youth groups; deciding to emigrate to Palestine upon hearing it was possible through his youth group; writing to his parents from Palestine, although in retrospect, less frequently than he should have; learning in 1941 his mother had died; learning a year later she had committed suicide; learning after the war his father had died prior to deportation (they are both buried in Berlin); being sent illegally to a displaced persons camp in 1946; visiting Berlin; and visiting again a few years ago. Mr. K. discusses his denial of what was happening in Europe during the war and not sharing his experiences, even with his children.

2 videocassettes