2024 First Person with Holocaust Survivor Theodora Klayman

Theodora Klayman remembers running hand-in-hand with her aunt and little brother to a neighbor’s house-hearing her aunt plead, before her arrest, “Please, take these children.” Less than two years earlier, Nazi collaborators in Croatia had arrested and imprisoned Theodora's parents-leaving the three-year-old in the care of her extended family. Sometimes caught in the middle of fierce battles, Theodora and her brother hid in the cellar or crouched in corners to avoid bullets that pierced through windows.
Watch to learn more about the lengths family and neighbors went to protect the young children, and discover what happened to their parents.
Hear about Theodora’s experiences in her own words, which were recorded live on May 15, 2024. 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.

[@michelebella677]

Hello from New Jersey. I’m an ancestor of family members who survived the Armenian Genocide in solidarity with my Jewish friends who are also survivors.

[@AnoJanJan]

Hello from Australia, fellow Armenian here. Our history is so intertwined with the Jewish history, it's like two parallel lines running alongside. May God bless both our nations & people 🙏

[@coralclark5979]

Thank you for all the work interviewing our brave survivors. Never forget.

[@Kim-08.64]

I’m listening from Iowa and so thankful we are keeping people aware of the horror from survivors. It is so important that this message stays true and real to the younger generation at this time. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@nancyverhoff2900]

Hello from Ohio. I am not an ancestor, but knew many who were. They are gone now, but I listened and learned. This young group needs to learn about the truth of what happened. Thank you for sharing your history with us.

[@finnfo4]

Hello from Los Angeles. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope the people who need to see these testimonials will do so; they are indeed priceless.

[@juliea.colangelo547]

Watching from Idaho. I first read The Rise and Fall of Nazi Germany when I was 25. I cannot get the horror out of my head. I’m disgusted, angry, and sad what is happening worldwide AGAIN. I am 62. May Hashem bless all the victims

[@micheled6111]

I noticed the smile on that soldier as well just as you said it. Such inhumanity.

[@marivelzamora1834]

Thanks for sharing your story, I loved to learn about history

[@robertlee7560]

Hello from Canada Toronto

[@kevinmarch4259]

Watching from Fort Worth, Texas

[@cherylrgreenwald]

As the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, I bear witness to as many first-person accounts as possible. Thank you for your courage and outspokenness in sharing your story.

[@KathyClark-bj3ep]

Watching from Missouri

[@cecilefox9136]

I'm watching from Pamplona.

[@Kim-08.64]

Kim from Iowa….how old were you when you fully realized the full scope of what had happened to your family and friends. Also how did you find out? Also how did you even begin to process it

[@debrawhitney7116]

Hello from Seattle, Washington.

[@marycarre6748]

Hello from Texas. So good to hear your story. Very inspirational. 😊

[@lucyskaggs566]

1:00 pm from Lowell,Indiana. I consider myself lucky my parents came in the 20's and thus avoided the war, but many of their relatives did not. My dad was from Hamburg and his uncle was still there. My mom's family was Roman Catholic and she had an aunt who was a nun who was killed. So I thank God we were not there. God bless all.

[@amyrivers4093]

Thank you for sharing your traumatic start to life. You were a beautiful little girl. The photo of your parents with you outside the zoo was very regal. The one thing I treasure is having the time to listen to numerous first person stories, books and documentaries. I am amazed with how this museum has recorded very different stories because often the people that speak out talk about being in a concentration camps. There are all sorts of places people hid in different places with absolutely no idea when they may get caught.❤

[@terrilizana7951]

"SHOAH" Left an imprint on my mind, my heart and my soul.

[@ortenciagonzalez8550]

Hello from Illinois

[@schwantz3447]

Allô. Je ne conais pas l'anglais, mais merci beaucoup. J'enais 76 tué en France et plus de 100 en Polonie.

[@wishnik]

Its ok we have an Ennglish translation

[@debrakelly4505]

Praying for my Jewish brothers & sisters- No one has the right to destroy a people group they don't like. Everyone has a right to life.

[@rosecarney4111]

Israel forever from Arkansas Christian family 😘

[@TKB-ih7pj]

Same from Iowa 🇺🇸❤️🇮🇱