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Celina L. Holocaust testimony (HVT-3035) interviewed by Sandy Hayden,

Oral History | Fortunoff Collection ID: HVT-3035

Videotape testimony of Celina L., who was born in Zbaraz︠h︡, Poland in 1931. She recalls her family's Zionist commitment; her father's military career; German invasion; Soviet occupation; fleeing to L'viv with her parents in 1940 to avoid Soviet deportation to Siberia; German invasion; ghettoization; smuggling food to her father in Janowska; her mother arranging her escape to Zbaraz︠h︡ with a non-Jew; living with her uncle and aunt; hiding during round-ups; her uncle arranging to hide her with a Ukrainian woman in Mala Berezovyt︠s︡i︠a︡; leaving when villagers became suspicious; rejecting an offer to join partisans in the forests; hiding with a Jewish family in Zbaraz︠h︡; being adopted by a Ukrainian family, posing as a non-Jew; and liberation by Soviet troops. Mrs. L. describes reunion with a friend in Poland; joining Hashomer Hatzair in Bratislava; traveling to Prague with a Jewish orphanage; living in a kibbutz in Germany; joining her friend in Salzschlirf displaced persons camp; preparing for emigration in Aglasterhausen; emigrating to Canada; difficulties with her foster family; and a better placement with another family. Mrs. L. discusses the importance of faith to her survival; gratitude to her Ukrainian adoptive family; and psychological issues resulting from her experience which impacted her child rearing.

Author/Creator
L., Celina, 1931-
Published
Vancouver, B.C. : Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society, 1983
Interview Date
May 4, 1983.
Locale
Ukraine
Lv́iv
Poland
Zbaraz︠h︡ (Ternopilʹsʹka oblastʹ, Ukraine)
Lʹviv (Ukraine)
Mala Berezovyt︠s︡i︠a︡ (Ukraine)
Bratislava (Slovakia)
Prague (Czech Republic)
Bad Salzschlirf (Germany)
Diepholz (Germany)
Language
English
Copies
2 copies: 3/4 in. dub; and 1/2 in. VHS with time coding.
Cite As
Celina L. Holocaust Testimony (HVT-3035). Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies, Yale University Library.