2023 First Person with Holocaust Survivor Joël Nommick

Joël Nommick never got the chance to meet his father, who was arrested and deported in 1942. Only later would he piece together the story of his father’s imprisonment at Auschwitz and numerous other camps.
Learn how Joël, his mother, and his two brothers-with their neighbors’ help-managed to stay alive in France while in constant danger of discovery.
Hear Holocaust survivor Joël Nommick’s experiences in his own words recorded on March 22, 2023. First Person is a monthly hour-long discussion with a Holocaust survivor that is made possible through generous support from the Louis Franklin Smith Foundation.

[@sue.F]

Joël, our fathers may have met, at the very least they were at the same place at the same time - Bergen-Belsen, April 15th, 1945 - my father was amongst the liberating forces on that day. He never spoke of that awful time and place, but as a child I came across the photos, in one of them he was escorting the townsfolk to witness the horrors their regime had wrought. It really saddened me to hear that your father never came home. Shalom, from New Zealand.

[@maryschaefer1618]

Sorry. Do you have any further information?

[@cherylrgreenwald]

As the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, I listen to as many first-person stories as possible. Thank you, Mr. Nommick, for your courage and commitment to educating others. Be well.

[@tcmomcoffey4028]

Thank you. im from Indiana my mamaw suffered the great depression and told me things that happened as she was a child. My prayer love and thoughts are always with holocaust vicitims survivors and anyone that was affected in any way it has broke my heart n took my breath the things I have heard and seen. Thank u again for sharing bless you 🙏🏼

[@micheled6111]

Thank you for your testimony. It is so important for people to hear from those who saw it.

[@josieferraris2553]

Thank you for sharing your horrendous story of great tribulation, courage and faith! Keep up these good works as your ongoing healing help so many others heal too! God Bless you;, the broken can never be unbroken,. And it takes buckets of courage as each step taken is progress towards the ability of being needed in your service to others. Again, thank you.

[@leighs.rosenbergpsy.d.9748]

Bless you both. Thank you both. Be Well.

[@alidaramos7227]

Beautiful testimony. GOD BLESSING YOU FAMILY.

[@filmsbynix]

Greetings from South Africa

[@StephenGrew]

How wonderful! Kind neighbours against the monsters that marauded those lands .

[@lindanorris2455]

BEAUTIFUL CHILD.

[@JaimeMesChiens]

je regarde depuis la New England, Connecticut.

[@helenh493]

Joel, your story is so bitter-sweet.. Happy times and Sad times.. unfair and tragic times.. and faith and Love, in a time of hardship, betrayals and murder. You came from parents with a purpose and endurance, if not able to survive, then to survive their children and family linage. God Bless your parents' souls, and of you and your generations to come.

[@josephinetijahi3485]

And the UK happy New Year

[@4june9140]

1942 was three years before the War ended, not three years before it began.

[@gracekirrane627]

R.i.p to all the Jews 🙏😢

[@marilyngilbert8003]

Too bad you didn’t make it clear to at the time is East Coast - for us on the West I learned this too late!

[@maryschaefer1618]

Northern Hemisphere, ND, US

[@adelecooper1527]

Wish it had subtitles. Hard to understand him

[@gonefishing167]

I have subtitles. I’m no expert, believe me . I have an iPad and I go up to the right hand side of the screen and press. Some little ‘things’ come up and I press on a square. If the square is lit up, there’s captions. If it’s dull , then, no there isn’t any. Do hope it helps 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@holocaustmuseum]

Edited captions have now been added to this video.

[@JaimeMesChiens]

@@holocaustmuseum merci beaucoup. Je suis malentendant et je n'arrive pas à bien comprendre sans sous-titres.