International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. January 27 marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp. Join us in commemorating the stories of survivors, victims, and their loved ones.
We invite you to connect with survivors, their families, or individuals affected by the Holocaust and record their stories through a StoryCorps conversation. By sharing these narratives, we can honor their memories and ensure that their stories are preserved for future generations. Use the StoryCorps App to record in person or StoryCorps Connect to record remotely.
Listen to five stories of Holocaust survivors and their loved ones.
The Room
Debra Fisher’s father, Oscar, was a Holocaust survivor who kept his painful memories of Auschwitz hidden to protect her from the horrors he endured. After years of longing to hear his story, Debra finally convinced him to share his experiences.
At StoryCorps, Debra reflects on the profound moment her father shared his truth, allowing her to enter the “room” of his deeply buried memories.
In Safe Hands
In 1941, the Zhetel Ghetto in Poland became the unfortunate destination for Philip Lazowski and his family. At the age of 11, a German soldier caught Philip alone after he had helped his parents and siblings take shelter in a hideout they’d built in their apartment.
Many years later, at the age of 91, Rabbi Philip Lazowski shared his story with StoryCorps, reflecting on the quick decision that ultimately saved his life.
‘We Were Lucky’: Kids of Holocaust Survivors Learned Their Parents’ Life Philosophy
Abe and Esther Schuster, children of Holocaust survivors, reflect on their parents’ philosophy of life and the challenges they faced during the Nazi occupation. Despite losing family members and enduring hardships, their parents found love in Stalingrad, married in 1945, and eventually settled in New York to start anew.
In a conversation with StoryCorps, Abe and Esther remember their parents’ resilience and the unconventional approach they took to life.
a son always remembers his father
During the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, Yiddish radio thrived throughout the United States. It featured a range of programming, including advice shows, variety shows, man-on-the-street interviews, and news broadcasts. Years later, the individuals behind the project (including StoryCorps founder, Dave Isay) rediscovered the rare material, leading to the creation of the 10-part series called the ‘Yiddish Radio Project’.
In this episode of the StoryCorps podcast, we listen to the heartwarming story of Holocaust survivor Siegbert Freiberg reuniting with his father.
On The Day Their Concentration Camp Was Liberated, Two Former Prisoners Found Love
In 1945, Yehuda Moinester won over Mina’s heart on the day they, along with thousands of prisoners, were liberated from Theresienstadt concentration camp. The couple immigrated to the United States where they began a loving family. Their daughter Susan and granddaughter Margo came to StoryCorps to share their way of honoring the liberation and love that Yehuda and Mina shared.
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