Ján V. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Ján V., who was born in Svätý Beňadik, Czechoslovakia (presently Slovakia) in 1932. He discusses his family's total assimilation; cordial relations with non-Jews; learning he was Jewish from children on the street; fascist takeover resulting in anti-Jewish restrictions, including his expulsion from gymnasium and wearing the star; the mailman warning his father that Hlinka Guard were coming for them; escaping with his parents and older sister to Stará L̕ubovňa; living as non-Jews, using false papers; playing with boys who were in the Hitler Youth; joining a partisan unit in Banská Bystrica during the Slovak uprising; seeing people shot for the first time; moving to a village (either Mála Franková or Veľká Franková) after defeat of the partisans; brief separation from his father; moving to Nitra four weeks later; liberation in April 1945; completing his education; teaching at a technical university; marriage; and the births of two sons. Mr. V. notes the child-like perspective of his memories and not discussing his experiences, even with his sister and children, except with his wife. His wife notes people make antisemitic remarks in his presence, not realizing he is Jewish, and his nightmares resulting from his experiences.

1 videocassette