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!”
Chaya
Chaya was born in the Ukraine in the Vinistska area. Her oldest sister in Belarusia
fought in the war and died fighting.
Chaya was in the Ghetto with her parents, her aunt and cousin. She was 11 years old when they were put into the Ghetto. She remembers running and all the people screaming and screaming when the Germans came.
Two streets of the city were separated for the Jews – separating Russians and Ukrainians from everyone else. There was no food for anyone, so Chaya would sneak out alone through a secret entrance near the school area. Barely anyone knew about it.
When she was in school she had many Ukrainian friends. When the Jews were put in the ghetto, she was no longer allowed to attend school, but her friends helped her. When she would sneak out, they would dress her up in their clothes. She could then
move freely in the city and beg for food. Returning through the secret entrance, she would take food back for the others.
They were put into the Ghetto in 1941 and released in 1944. After the Holocaust they lived in Tashkent under Stalin – more hunger for years.
Chaya married, had one daughter who is now married. Chaya has four grandchildren
and had five great grandchildren (one died). She says her son-in-law is wonderful and
her daughter is good.
The great grandchild that died… the baby choked and died in Chaya’s arms. She could not help her. Chaya has never really recovered.
