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!”
(Caution: True accounts, as related by the Survivor, may be difficult to read)
Tova
Life was difficult especially for a large family like they had as they were very poor. Tova was about 14 years old when war broke out in their area of Ukraine. Their entire family was forced out of their home and relocated to a ghetto. They were sent to Frunze, Kyrgystan.
Tova’s father was forced to serve in the Russian Red Army so he left the family to live in the Ghetto alone until the end of the war. Her father returned to them after the war and they made an attempt to return to their family home.
When they arrived they found none of their family members that had stayed behind in the village remained alive. All were gone.
They discovered Christians (Gentiles) were now living in their home and refused to leave or let them have their home back. They roamed from village to village, for about three years, trying to decide what to do. They had lost everything they owned, including their home and property. They finally decided to come to Israel in 1948.
When they arrived they first lived in Netanya. Three families shared an apartment- 1 room, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom- there was no gas or electric. They stayed in Netanya for 1 ½ months and were given the choice of relocating to Lod or Akko. They chose Akko.
Tova married and she had 1 son and 1 daughter. Her husband has passed away and today she lives in an apartment in central Akko and has nicely decorated inside.
Today she has six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her family visits her often and she is delighted to receive other visitors.