Andrej K. Holocaust testimony (HVT-3877)

Videotape testimony of Andrej K., who was born in Botoșani, Romania in 1922, the oldest of three children. He recounts growing up in Iași; cordial relations with non-Jews; completing high school; being taken with his father and brother in a round-up; being beaten and shot; deportation in cattle cars; being told he was removed from the train in Roman, and a non-Jewish woman (she was recognized by Yad Vashem) and the Jewish community in Călărași caring for him (he does not remember this); returning to Iași; living in his family home with their former maid; working for the Jewish community briefly in Dobrusa, then in Iași while he recovered (he could not walk for a year); taking a stage name in 1950, performing in Bucharest theaters; working as a filmmaker; emigration to Israel; and his work with Israeli television. Mr. K. discusses becoming observant after his family did not return: praying three times daily, saying kaddish for a year, and a leadership position in the synagogue.