Summary
Highlights
Helga describes her happy childhood before the German invasion. The occupation immediately changed everything, making life increasingly difficult for Jewish families. They faced discrimination, including job loss, expulsion from schools, and forced wearing of the yellow star. The threat of 'transports' and arbitrary arrests created a constant atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Helga and her family were moved to Terezin, a crowded camp. Following her father's advice to 'draw what you see,' Helga began documenting daily life there. These drawings are now invaluable historical records, as official imagery was forbidden. Terezin was used by the Germans for propaganda, falsely portraying it as a spa town to the International Red Cross, who, during a brief, controlled inspection, reported everything was 'okay.'
Transports from Terezin were sent to an unknown destination in the 'east.' Helga's father was among the first to be sent away in 1944 on the false promise that his family would remain in Terezin. Shortly after, Helga and her mother were also transported, unaware they were headed to Auschwitz, which Helga describes as 'a step in hell.'
Life in Auschwitz was marked by severe food shortages, hopelessness, and extreme hardship. Helga emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope for survival. Her mother's health deteriorated rapidly, leading Helga to pray for her liberation. After the war ended, they were glad, but a new anxiety arose: the fate of her father.
Helga and her mother survived, but the camps remained 'inside' them. Many survivors returned to find no one waiting for them. Helga's father likely perished immediately upon arrival at Auschwitz. Helga finds solace in her family's musical talents, a trait her father would have appreciated. She urges everyone to remember the Holocaust lessons: tolerance, understanding, and fighting against selfishness to protect hope and freedom.
The video emphasizes the importance of remembering the Holocaust to prevent future atrocities and combat rising antisemitism globally, drawing parallels between historical genocidal intentions and current threats against Israel by groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. CBN Israel is committed to caring for the diminishing number of Holocaust survivors, providing essential aid like meals, medical care, and home visits, and preserving their stories as a vital testimony for future generations.
Lev, a 94-year-old survivor, vividly recalls his family's destruction in the Minsk ghetto. He witnessed his grandfather's death by grenade, his grandmother being forced to watch, and his mother's arrest and eventual death. After losing his grandmother and sister, Lev survived alone for 18 months before joining resistance fighters. His father later found him in an orphanage after the city's liberation.
CBN Israel is dedicated to caring for survivors and preserving their memories. The October 7th attack serves as a stark reminder of the Holocaust's potential to recur. The organization urges viewers to support their efforts through donations to provide humanitarian aid, medical care, and home visits, ensuring survivors receive dignity and love. They also support rebuilding efforts in Israel and educational initiatives.