Ruźena R. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Ruźena R., who was born in Topol̕čany, Czechoslovakia (presently Slovakia), in 1929, the older of two children. She recalls her family's affluence; participating in Hashomer Hatzair; anti-Jewish regulations following Slovak independence in October 1938; expulsion from school; harassment on the street; her family losing their businesses; a policeman warning them to leave; moving to Dolné Otrokovce; deportation with her brother and parents to Novák; slave labor as a seamstress; studying math weekly; their release; returning to Dolné Otrokovce; joining relatives in Nitra since her identification papers did not designate her as a Jew (her parents and brother remained); returning to Dolné Otrokovce; not finding her family, then locating them where they were being hidden by Catholics whom they paid; liberation by Soviet troops in April 1945; completing university; living in Bratislava; and working as a chemist. Ms. R. notes nightmares to the present day due to her experiences; latent antisemitism impacting her career; and sharing her experiences only with those who ask. She shows photographs and documents.

1 videocassette