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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Memoir:
The Holocaust Recalled
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Volume 15e
Miriam Reich
The Holocaust
Recalled
published by
the
Concordia University Chair in Canadian Jewish Studies
Copyright © Miriam Reich, 2001
"I
PICK UP MY LIFE AND TAKE IT WITH ME"
Langston Hughes, One Way Ticket 1948
Key
Words
Kaunus (Kovno) Lithuanian city;
Russian invasion of Kaunus; Shvabes Gymnasium, local Jewish school;
Nazi invasion of Kaunus; Slobodka, Suburb of Kaunus: location of
Jewish ghetto; Helmut Raucha, commandant of Kaunus ghetto; Port
Kunda, labour camp; Estonia; Kurame, camp in Estonia; Camp Goldfiels;
Stutthof, camp in Germany; Oksenzoll, camp near Hamburg; Bergen-Belsen;
Jewish Brigade from Palestine; Sweden; Montreal, Canada
Abstract
Narrative
opens with scene depicting the author’s 10th birthday party
in the Lithuanian city of Kaunus (Kovno), the day of the Soviet
invasion. The Red Army met no resistance and was largely welcomed
by the Lithuanian population. But since father was a businessman
who owned a textile plant, he was condemned as class enemy. Mother
had obtained a Ph.D. degree in economics at German university, but
never practiced profession. Describes household and family property;
tells of the fate of her grandparents. With Russian invasion, father’s
plant is confiscated; all valuables are taken from house; forced
to share dwelling with another family. Her Jewish high school is
closed and she attends Russian school. Joins the Young Russian,
communist youth organization. On June 24, 1941 German invasion of
Lithuania. Describes the activities of pro-Nazi Lithuanians who
carry out pogroms against Jews. Reign of terror begins which sees
the murder of tens of thousands of Jews. Restriction of Jewish activities
and erection of the ghetto in Slobodka, on the outskirts of Kaunus;
contains 29,760 Jews. Selection of Jews begins. Describes her personal
emotional state and how she coped with the reality she confronted.
Life in the ghetto is described, including the educational and cultural
activities. Describes selection and transport from the ghetto; she
remains with mother but separated from father and brother who, she
later learns, were killed in camp in Estonia. Works in labour group
clearing forests and building roads. After several months moved
to another camp; forced to walk 50 kilometers which took three days
to reach Goldfiels. By August 1944, with Russian advance, transported
by boxcar to Germany, in Stutthof; later sent to Oksenzoll, camp
near Hamburg. She worked in munitions factory under relatively good
conditions. Remained there until February 1945 when transported
to Bergen-Belsen. Describes terrible conditions of the camp. Shocked
at the appearance of the inmates. At liberation she and mother suffer
from typhus. Decide against return to Kaunus, live in DP camp in
Germany. Joins classes organized by the Jewish Brigade from Palestine.
Through efforts of family in Israel, she and mother obtain papers
for Sweden. Attends Jewish school. Cool reception from the small
Jewish community. Get visa to Canada and arrive in Montreal December
11, 1947. After short time chooses not to associate with refugees;
wants new beginning.
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