2022 First Person with Holocaust Survivor Louise Lawrence-Israëls

Watch to learn why Louise Lawrence-Israëls was afraid to go outside. She had been hiding in an attic for two and a half years, since she was six months old, with her parents, brother, and a family friend. Though her family tried to have a normal life, Louise never went out, never knew sunshine or fresh air. “They never talked about the outside world,” she said. When Canadian forces liberated Amsterdam in May 1945, Louise overcame her fear and emerged into a world she didn’t know.
Hear Holocaust survivor Louise Lawrence-Israëls’s experiences in her own words recorded on June 22, 2022. First Person is a monthly hour-long discussion featuring a live interview between journalist Bill Benson and a survivor and including questions from the audience, available on the Museum’s KZbin channel.
Read about the Netherlands during the Holocaust:
encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Learn about Amsterdam during the Holocaust:
encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Watch Defying Nazi Persecution, a discussion about Dutch resistance:
• Pride Month: Defying N...
Watch Louise explain what her father’s hobby of collection means to her:
• Next Chapter: At the H...
Learn more about the Allied invasion on D-Day:
encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Discover more about Louise’s wicker chair:
• Holocaust Artifacts Un...

[@TheHighSpaceWizard]

I wish we could have preserved the first person story of every survivor. Never forget.

[@ckcnj9175]

What an inspirational testimony! Her parents were amazing. Normally, such testimonies have a sad feeling filled with distraught. This is a first. I’m honored to have had a chance to hear it.

[@isabellrc]

From Maryland. From my heart to yours, I am so thankful you’ve survived such a horrific atrocity! Since a child, I’ve done everything I can to learn about the Holocaust, and then tell yours and all stories told. Thank you, for giving us yours.

[@gonefishing167]

What wonderful, wonderful parents you and your brother had 🙏🙏🙏👵👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@gonefishing167]

Hi, county south Australia here. Thank you so much for your testimony , they are vital . I so appreciate the courage it must take. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏👵👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@sandrahossman2089]

So important these stories are told. My father helped liberate a concentration camp, survivor of the Battle of the Bulge. He played dead when the Germans ran through the American line, a Nazi even kicked him. My dad could never talk about what he saw, since he passed away I have read so much and so proud of him. God Bless your parents, thank you for telling your story, please keep telling your story.

[@janblackman6204]

My father was at the battle of the bulge. He later spent a lot of time in the hospital afterwards but would never talk about it other than he couldn’t stand chocolate candy because that’s all they had to eat because they were pinned down for so many days

[@juliekemp2318]

Post Traumatic Syndrome affected many soldiers. They could not erase the horror they witnessed. Today, Our soldiers, in Afghanistan, who were forced to abandon their friends and interpreters, many of whom they owed their lives, are going through the same agony. They made promises that were not kept.I pray for God to take care of them.

[@powerofloveism]

I have heard some survivors saying history is now at this moment heading right back to the concentration camps once again. History is repeating itself or people are repeating themselves and their ancestors mistakes.

[@margaritacontreras2735]

What wonderful parents! And what good children you were! Thank you so much, from Chile...

[@marybethgery9155]

Thank you for your story! ❤️ from Pennsylvania

[@lisahamrick4061]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[@dina6650]

You are a great story teller. It's 2:30 am in Israel, but I couldn't stop in the middle of your session. Your parents must have been amazing people and you were lucky to have some stability as a Jewish child in Europe during World War II. That picture with the doll could have been my mother a"h. She was born in 1943 in Romania. She use to say that children today have so much and they aren't happy, but she was happy with a ragged doll. Thank you so much for telling your story.

[@annedwyer797]

Thank you, Louise, for sharing your story. Your family was lovely, and it's extraordinary that you were all able to survive the occupation in your attic hideaway. I loved hearing about your birthday celebration, and the picture of you is ADORABLE. Several yrs ago I read about the little wicker chair that survives to this day, so it was wonderful to "meet" you and hear about it first hand!

[@cecilefox9136]

What an incredible testimony!Thank you so much for sharing your memories.

[@christinebowling4508]

Having listened to survivors stories, I find it incredible how strong these people were and my heart and soul goes out to everyone of them. They were so very brave and should all be awarded the equivalent of our Victoria Cross and some for their incredible bravey!!!

[@angelawright1486]

Thank you for your wise advice…your Mother and Father were very smart…love all the books in the background .. Amazing

[@marilyn6556]

Thank you for sharing your story. Your parents were absolutely wonderful! They put you and your brother first, they were so wise in how they made everything going on to be normal. I can’t imagine what they, and every Jewish person, went through. I read everything that I can about the Holocaust, and I talk with others about the fact that it could happen again, anywhere, and at any time. But, I agree-NEVER AGAIN!!! We all need to speak up for those who are persecuted, for any reason.❤

[@tommysimmons5266]

Born 15 years after WWII, I only knew about the war and Great Depression era from my grandparents. Read a lot of books about anything then. I was in my 20s before I started paying attention to the Holocaust stories. It wasn’t taught or really talked about in school back then. I’m learning more in my early 60s than ever before. Thank you for sharing, and it’s amazing how many people are still alive today from back then. Watched a video last night about Anne Frank’s friend who survived the war, never knew anything about her ( the friend) until last night.

[@fuensantacampillogomez3288]

Children who are loved give back to society as much as they received. Thank you for your testimony, a priceless legacy.

[@sandy4498]

What amazing parents!! They remind me of the movie “Life is Beautiful”. I have such admiration for them. I’m so happy I got to listen to this story so different than others. In her face you can see she remembers those days fondly. Wow

[@heyhandersen5802]

Thank goodness you survived and can tell us your story. The memory of these events could otherwise be diminished and forgotten.

[@alisonmarshall6463]

From South Africa - met a wonderful lady called RAY who was a holocaust survivor and always enjoyed listening to her tell stories of how she managed to get to SA -

[@MrsTadeo-mi1cb]

What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing!

[@alishadavidrichard5494]

Although your story is still awful, its very unique in the way that you felt little fear and hardship. This really says so much about how wonderful your parents were. I'm sure if we were hearing from them they would have spoken of so much fear. Fear of being found, fear of starvation, fear of one of you two freezing, fear for their other loved ones and most of all fear of it never ending. So strong and special they never let this touch either of you. Such a special story of love.

[@lyricalaska]

Hello from North Pole, Alaska! This is a wonderful testimony!!

[@kedist1978]

Very interesting interview . I am glad you mentioned the ongoing genocide in parts of the world . Being from EThiopia it broke my heart that people are massacered for who they are elderly , children ,babies and mem women . The perpetrators follow exactly what the Nazis did ie identifying people by their id and by betrayers . So sad

[@hippiechick2112]

This was amazing to listen to. Thank you.

[@joycebeardsley7277]

thank you for sharing

[@mildredlucenadetorregrosa6221]

Thank you for your teachings in this matter.

[@teriyakiyaki3462]

Thank you

[@melindastonebraker2136]

I just happened across this. What a great but sad story. We shall never forget

[@krazy8chris670]

From west palm beach, florida. God bless and keep you

[@joslynandcarltonramsubhag1836]

From Trinidad & Tobago: Eager to keep learning as much holocaust stories as I can.

[@Crystal-cs3gm]

I'm on my lunch break listening. Thank u for sharing. ❤️ I only got to listen hallway but as soon as I'm out of work I will Finnish. I also wanted 2 let u know how much I respect your strength. And your beautiful families. To all jews ✡️ I'm from USA but I'm so so sorry that this happened. How could this happen still seems unreal. But at the same time very real. Unfair, disturbing, evil, disgusting, even tho I'm not Jewish and don't know anybody that is Jewish. But this dark time in history stayed with me since we learned of this terrible tragedy. I could never ever forgive a nazi. To me they are the worst of all. And this really left a bad taste in Germany. Somebody should have put this 2 a stop immediately. It's so unbelievable that this happened for so long. So many innocent lives. So much pain. Terror. I can't imagine. Very sad and heartbreaking.

[@juliekemp2318]

I have read many stories from Holocaust survivors and I am in awe. of their bravery and will to live. They are ALL heroes to us. God bless them. I will never understand how a civilized country reduced itself to such animalistic behavior. NO EXCUSES> I am grateful that Germany has kept its historical museums and concentration camps to teach their future generations, that this must never happen again in their country.

[@joannewall5499]

Amazing story, thank you for sharing it with us xxx

[@laurieuebbing3500]

I pray for everyone in Israel and my heart goes out to those who had to go through that horrible time.

[@usagiynami9937]

Amazing father and family.

[@amandaallen9460]

I've been obsessed with the Holocaust atrocities since I was 9 years old (I'm 34 in September 2022)..I've met 3 survivors, have been to DC to the Holocaust Memorial Meseum and am hoping to go to Auschwitz in 2023..

[@sandrahossman2089]

When I was in Germany we planned to visit Dachua but after visiting Ann Frank's home I could not visit a concentration camp. I was so upset after seeing where the Frank family lived and what happened to them. I was so upset they were on a ship close to the American shore and we refused them entry. We must remember SO history doesn't repeat itself. Auschwitz would be very emotional. I have watched a couple videos of survivors returning.

[@AmyMichelleMosier]

I didn’t realize the Franks were on one of those ships but I remember that Roosevelt was responsible for them being turned away.

[@amandaallen9460]

@@AmyMichelleMosier the frank family was never on a ship..they hid in Amsterdam in the back of Otto's business for more than 2 years before they were unfortunately discovered on August 4, 1944. They along with everyone else in the Secret Annex were sent from Amsterdam to Westerbork (a transit camp in Holland) then on the very last train out of Westerbork to Auschwitz-Birkenau where they were separated. Only Otto survived. Edith Frank died in the Auschwitz infirmary in January 1945 of Starvation, long after both Anne and her older sister Margot had been sent to Bergen Belsen back in Germany where they died in what is now believed to be February 1945 instead of April 1945 of Typhus. They were 19 and 15 years old respectively. Mr. Van Pels was gassed at Auschwitz In 1944, Peter Van Pels died while on a death march to I believe Neuengame Concentration camp, August Van Pels died either at or on the way to Thirenstadt in Austria and I forget where Mr.Pfeffer passed away but it was another Concentra camp.

[@amandaallen9460]

@@sandrahossman2089 read my comment below..the franks were never on a ship..they hid in a secret annex in Amsterdam for more than 2 years

[@maxcaravan7584]

An amazing talk, the parents were amazing, at what cost I wonder?

[@sandraobrien8705]

How strong those parents were to give their children an untroubled childhood under those circumstances.

[@judist.esprit7897]

So amazing. So way world thinking needs to be. Thank you

[@lorettajones5076]

I listen to all yad veshem, all the wonderful history channels. Sweet peoples be prepared. I am a christian.

[@Albertwildhorseshoer]

Thank you for your details, they made your story so interesting. Did your family know the Tenbooms who lived in Haarlem? Their elderly father, a clock maker, and daughters Betsy and Corrie housed hidden Jewish people in their 3 story home. Many of the Tenboom extended family were in the resistance. All of the 3 Tenboom household ended up being sent to concentration camps in Poland and Nazi occupied countries. Their clocks (code name for their Jewish guests) were kept safe. Corrie wrote the story in a book called "The Hiding Place". I am glad your family got to stay together.

[@diannemullins6462]

ty listening from the philippines

[@Crystal-cs3gm]

Wow! Such a beautiful, beautiful, story! I love it. I was listening every second. I'm so glad they survived. I'm sorry Selma family was taken. I'm sorry she had to witness that. But I'm glad Selma had y'all to support her. The story about her brother letting her play with his toy for the day was so cute and funny. How amazing! I loved this story and omg her parents, Selma, the resistance aka heroes are role models with huge courage. Most won't dare to walk in their shoes. What a inspiration ❤

[@joellenjohnson4038]

Beautiful person

[@gerryhatrick6678]

My 2 uncles were part of the Canadian soldiers who liberated Holland....One of them was in Amsterdam and spoke of giving away Hershey bars. He passed away now.

[@dianetaillon9875]

Truly amazing absolutely incredible

[@jaguarpaw4632]

I'm 3rd generation Ukraine. I tell some people that if my great grandparent's could see things in 2022 they would throw the oars at them. I'm so very thankful for the USA and to all for their service. If it weren't for my great grandparents bravery I might not even exist. They were very intelligent people also. I was taught if I see something happening wrong and I don't stand up for them I'm just a guilty. CHILDREN! YES USE YOUR VOICE! Thank you ma'am. I always speak up also. 💜

[@ernstraedecker6174]

As a Dutchman I am still disgusted by the huge number of Dutch Jews that we let perish in WW II. Our inability to protect them, at least more of them, is shocking.

[@marthamoran7186]

Watching from New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦

[@filmsbynix]

Watching from South Africa

[@DrRobertMPick]

As always, no words. We never learn.

[@PeppieP]

I hope someone might tell me but did Louise father manage to get the family belongings that was hidden in the garden? Family treasures are so so special..

[@gennystout8952]

Never forget. Never repeat. My entire heart goes out to every Jewish person who was hurt by Nazis and anti-Semitic people. Stories of every survivor are so important. We can NEVER let something like this happen ever again! May God bless you all, keep you safe, and happy!

[@babyboomerinc]

hello from Australia

[@A_M_B_U_G_I_R_L]

Watching from Norway to😊

[@malcolmdale]

Shalom from England.

[@dianetaillon9875]

Wow every month a survivor so glad you did this & happy & thankful that these people survived & were wiling to share their experiences ‐ all the world must never forget & know that Israel (the Jewish people) is God's baby "I will bless those that bless thee and curse those that curse thee" and even all those years before he gave your homeland back to you ‐ he kept you

[@nibor110]

From NYC but now living in northern California

[@joshuafess6201]

Millennials and Gen X and Gen Z need to be watching these before they whine and complain about their lives on TikTok they have no clue how good they have it! Thank you as always for sharing these beautiful stories 🇮🇱💙

[@getarealllife2523]

Hey you need to leave gen xers out of of that statement we are totally different than millennials

[@getarealllife2523]

I am very aware of the Holocaust of World War II of World War 1 Korea and Vietnam

[@getarealllife2523]

How good we have it today gen xers are unable to get a house we can't afford it baby boomers made sure they destroyed the planet and ate everything up

[@hananeblanton5129]

1982 millennial here you might not want to generalize an entire group. You know what happens when you speak falsely and not factually about a certain group? Brush up on the Holocaust false words and ill education causes hatred.

[@NessaBear90]

@Getareall Life Hey! Leave millennials out of this. It's Gen Z that complain about everything. My great-grandparents (my dad's mom's parents) died in Dachau. So, don't put my generation in there.

[@veronicaadams5104]

When were these interviews done?

[@sandraobrien8705]

June 22, 2022 it says if you scroll down video information at the top of the page.

[@thelmadickie535]

l'm from Fife in Scotland UK

[@tonyrichardson696]

wonderful sad story. Louise i hope you live over 100 years old to tell your story over and over again.

[@user-sv2cr3uc7f]

I am from Holland, remember well WW 2 (born 1935). Trying to find interview with Renee Fink about het father Frits Laser. The family lived next to us in Bilthoven. My mother was active in the Underground,helped many Jews with her friends (Yad Vashem). Where do I find Renee's (Renate was her name then) interview 2166081 Yad Vashem document. A few months back I said farewell to a Jewish friend 101 years old, who lived and survived in a village close to Haarlem (Bert Sternfeld).

[@herminiasalas6000]

what a wonserful life experirnces you has as a child

[@ranjandasgupta2995]

I am glad that this video is about hiding & survival, than of victims in ghetto & concentration camps। Those will always be ' shiver in mind, over your body।

[@reneebaker8501]

Eldon iowa usa

[@christinephur9130]

Always about the Americans!! A huge help of course, but if it wasn't for Britain and her Empire at the time who knows........!!

[@alinemarsh1258]

California

[@arlenedavies7988]

Why wasn't Germany held accountable for stealing from the Jewish people, and restitution given to them.

[@tedwatson9929]

were there any gay or gypsy survivors?