Oral History

Sam Itzkowitz describes the first moments of liberation

The Germans invaded Poland in September 1939. When Makow was occupied, Sam fled to Soviet territory. He returned to Makow for provisions, but was forced to remain in the ghetto. In 1942, he was deported to Auschwitz. As the Soviet army advanced in 1944, Sam and other prisoners were sent to camps in Germany. The inmates were put on a death march early in 1945. American forces liberated Sam after he escaped during a bombing raid.

Transcript

Critical Thinking Questions

Why are survivor testimonies important in studying the Holocaust?

What was the context of the Holocaust and World War II at the time of the events Sam describes?

What other source materials might be helpful to provide more historical context for this eyewitness testimony? What aspects of the history might these other source materials help reveal?


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  • Jewish Community Federation of Richmond
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