Survivor Stories
Our speakers represent a wide variety of Holocaust experiences across Europe, covering stories of forced labour, ghettos, concentration and death camps and of becoming refugees.
Artur Bieberstein & Jadwiga Reiner
Maria Chamberlain shares the story of her father Artur and mother, Jadwiga who were born in Kraków, Poland in 1914, and 1915. When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, both her parents’ families were caught up in in the escalating nightmare of the Holocaust. Artur endured the ordeals of Kraków …
Bobby Neumann
Sam Neumann shares the story of his mother, Bobby. Bobby was born in 1929 in a small mountain town called Svalyava in Hungary. The family lived a full Jewish life, observing the Sabbath and Jewish festivals. Even before the start of World War 2 in 1939, Hungary was increasingly implementing…
Chaim Ferster BEM
Stuart Ferster shares the story of his father, Chaim Ferster. Chaim was born 1922 into a large, orthodox Jewish family and raised in the Polish town of Sosnowiec. He was 17 in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, starting World War II. At the suggestion of a relative, he learnt to …
Charlotte Amdurer
Judith Hayman tells the story of her mother Charlotte Amdurer, née Kohn. Charlotte was born in Berndorf, Austria, in 1921. Charlotte’s family were patriotic Austrians who could be traced in Austria back to 1650. Judith’s grandfather and his brothers all fought for Austria in WWI. Anti-Jewish laws implemented by Hitler…
Fanny Höchstetter
Maria Chamberlain shares the story of her father Artur and mother, Jadwiga who were born in Kraków, Poland in 1914, and 1915. When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, both her parents’ families were caught up in in the escalating nightmare of the Holocaust. Artur endured the ordeals of Kraków …
Hans & Hana Kohn
Tim Mulroy tells the story of his father Hans and his aunt Hana who were twins. Hans and Hana were born in Czechoslovakia in 1928. They escaped to Britain in summer 1939 on the last Kindertransport from Prague, organised by Nicholas Winton. Hans and Hana lived with…
Helen Lewis MBE
Dan Lewis shares the story of his grandmother, Helen Lewis MBE. Helen was born in 1916 in Trutnov, which is in the present day Czech Republic. She was born into a Jewish family that was well integrated and heavily involved in Trutnov life. By the time the Nazis…
Henrike Auerbach
Elissa tells the story of her grandma Henrike Auerbach also known as Henny. Henny was born in Vienna in 1920 to Berta and Pinkas Auerbach. She lived an ordinary life until she was 17 when Hitler took over Austria and anti-Jewish laws were immediately imposed. Using the video testimony that…
Hundsdorfer Family
Ernie Hunter (previously Hunsdorfer), tells the story of his father, Anton Hundsdorfer, sister Sonja and his non-Jewish German family. Anton was born in 1902, and Sonja, in 1927 Ernie’s family were victims of Nazi Persecution because they were communists and political opponents of Hitler. The story tells how non…
Ilse Beres
Martin Hyman tells the story of his mother Ilse Beres. Ilse was born in 1924 in Vienna, where she lived until 1938. llse was the only daughter of Rosa and Max Beres. This story starts much earlier, in 1897 when Rosa and Max, as Jews, fled their home in Ukraine…
Judis Singer (Judith Waxman)
Alison Cooper tells the story of her mother Judis Singer, later known as Judith Waxman. Judis was born in Vienna in February 1940. Just eight days later she was placed in an orphanage, her family already torn apart by the growing persecution of Jews. In September 1942, when she was…
Hundsdorfer Family
Ernie Hunter (previously Hunsdorfer), tells the story of his father, Anton Hundsdorfer, sister Sonja and his non-Jewish German family. Anton was born in 1902, and Sonja, in 1927 Ernie’s family were victims of Nazi Persecution because they were communists and political opponents of Hitler. The story tells how non…
Tomi Komoly BEM
Tomi was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1936 Tomi lived with his parents as an only child. His father owned a scrap metal business in the city suburbs, however, in 1939 after the introduction of anti-Jewish laws, he was forced to sell it and taught himself to make decorative ceramic …
Ziggy Landschaft
Leah Burman tells the story her father, of Ziggy Landschaft. Ziggy was born in 1925 in Chorzow, Poland. Chorzow is about an hour’s drive away from Cracow and near the border with Germany. Ziggy had a younger brother, Mayer, and parents, Chaim and Liba. They lived a traditional orthodox Jewish …
“A powerful speaker with an engaging and informative presentation.” Callum, Religious Studies teacher, Manchester
If you are interested in more information about Holocaust Education or would like to book a speaker for your event or seminar, please send your request via the booking form and we will do our best to meet your needs.