This section features the true experiences of Holocaust Survivors we see and visit today. This is to fulfill their requests,
“Remember us! Tell others of our experiences so we are not forgotten!”
~ Michael and Sima ~
Michael was 13 years old when the war started. He had no other siblings. His mother was a musician and Michael was like her, musically talented. The family moved away to escape the war. First they went to Uzbekestan and then to Siberia. They did not have enough to eat so at the age of 15, Michael decided to join the Red Army. They decided to take him because he could play the violin, clarinet and other instruments. He played in the army for six years.
When the war was over the family moved back to Kiev and he began university to study music. His profession was that of a musician, even when he and his wife made Aliyah to Israel. However, when they came here he stopped playing any instruments. He has not given any reason for this change.
His wife, Sima, was 9 years old the war started. Her family included her parents, herself, 2 sisters and 1 brother. The family also escaped the war by moving to Russia and then Kazakhstan. The journey was very difficult and two of the children died on the way. Those who lived moved back to Ukraine after the war.
Michael and Sima have been married since 1953. They have one son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are quite satisfied with having moved to Israel.
Did You Know…?
… more people died in World War II than any other war in history? Both civilian and military casualties, it equals approximately the entire 2013 population of New York, New Jersey and California combined.
In six years of war 70 million people died. Military accounted for 1/3 of the casualties. That means 2/3 of the dead were civilians- like the 6 million Jews who were murdered.
If we do not endeavor to remember the sobering facts of our past, especially wars, we are more likely to repeat it. That is one reason for AHI. Let’s remember the people who experienced but lived through the Holocaust. Make sure there is not another one.
