Rita S. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Rita S., who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1935 to a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father. She recalls living with her maternal grandparents; close bonds with them and her maternal uncle; her father's brief military service in 1939 which protected them; having to wear the "star" beginning in 1941; beatings from children on the street; deportation of her uncle, his wife and children, and her grandparents in 1942 (only her uncle survived); being forced to move in 1943; assistance from prostitutes in the neighborhood; her father's forced labor service (they knew he was alive because they were not deported); her mother's boss allowing her to hide in the work area when she was ill; removing their stars to go to shelters during bombings; returning to their apartment after liberation; her uncle's return; her father's return in 1946; and his conversion to Judaism in 1950. Mrs. S. discusses continuing fears resulting from her experiences; her uncle's reluctance to share his camp experiences; her very close relationship with her parents; difficulty coping with their deaths; and sharing her story with her son and husband.
Extent and Medium
2 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. This testimony or excerpts from it cannot be publicly broadcast during the lifetime of the donor.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- S., Rita, -- 1935-
Subjects
- Video tapes.
- Women.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Children of interfaith marriage.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- Family.
- Mothers and daughters.
- Holocaust survivors.
- Postwar experiences.
- Survivor-child relations.
- Postwar effects.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Child survivors.
Places
- Berlin (Germany)
- Germany.
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat