Description
Object description
Polish Jewish civilian inmate of Krakow Ghetto, 1941-1942; in hiding in Krakow, Poland, 1943-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Krakow, Poland, 1934-1941: family including religion; memories of childhood; departure of father before war and move to Krakow; arrival of German Army; subsequent changes to life of Jewish population including story of grandfather removing beard; contact with friends in Russian half of Poland. Aspects of period as civilian inmate of Krakow Ghetto, Poland, 3/1941- 3/1943: setting-up and location of ghetto; details of accommodation; education; importance of gaining work; parents' work before and during war; source of rations; knowledge of wider situation; methods of avoiding deportation; story of white sandals; changes following US entry into war; question of hunger; ease of leaving ghetto, 1941; reactions to situation.
REEL 2 Continues: details of Jewish Police and the Judenrat; education; start of large deportations, 5/1942, and methods by which Weber and parents avoided them; shrinkage of ghetto and new accommodation; work of uncle; reactions to overcrowding and deportations; contact with Polish civilians including Mrs Novak; adaptability of children; problems faced by boys in hiding; fate of grandparents in 10/1942 deportation; division of ghetto; move of paternal grandparents into ghetto; building of Krakow- Plaszow concentration camp; knowledge of fate of deportees; background of father's friendship with Wierzbicki family; liquidation of ghetto, 13/3/1943; possibilities for escape; preparations for move out of ghetto.
REEL 3 Continues: description of escape from ghetto in suitcase; news given to parents of his release from suitcase. Aspects of period as civilian in hiding in Krakow, Poland, 3/1943-1/1945: awareness of situation; initial period with Mrs Novak; move into hiding with and details of Wierzbicki family; reason for placement in solitary confinement; details of life in hiding; story of German search of house; Wierzbicki family home; contents of room; daydreaming; rations and payment of Wierzbicki family; latrines and washing facilities; health; Marek Wierzbicki's knowledge of Weber's presence; approach and arrival of Russian Army, 1/1945. Aspects of period as civilian in Poland and Germany, 1945-1947: continuation of life with Wierzbicki family; formation and work of Jewish Committee; fate of parents in concentration camps; reunion with mother, 7/1945; period with Mrs Novak and move to Bergen-Belsen;details of life in camp.
REEL 4 Continues: problems with speech and adaptation to life after war; knowledge of father; remarriage of mother, 1947, and move to Belgium. Aspects of period as civilian in Belgium and GB from 1947: settling into life in Belgium; relationship with step-father; knowledge of own father; reason for move to Britain and decision to stay; talking about experiences; impact of Hidden Children's Conference, 1993; opinion of Holocaust experience; ceremony to make Wierzbickis and Mrs Novak Righteous Gentiles in Krakow; discussion of Polish-Jewish relations; recognition of hidden children; talking of experiences with children and grandchildren; further details of time in hiding including reasons for keeping presence secret from Marek Wierzbicki; mother's work memories of Amon Göth.