Eyewitness to History: Holocaust Survivor Nat Shaffir

The Eyewitness to History video library was created to enable audiences everywhere to hear firsthand testimony from Holocaust survivors. This video was created from a live digital program, First Person: Conversations with Holocaust Survivors, recorded on December 15, 2021. It features Nat Shaffir, who was born in 1936 in Iasi, Romania. In 1942, Nat’s family was identified to the authorities as Jewish by a local Catholic priest and forced to leave their large dairy farm. They were forced into the Socola neighborhood of Iasi, where they lived in cramped conditions with other families. When Nat’s father was taken for forced labor, Nat, not yet 8 years old, was put in charge of taking care of the family. His father returned in 1945 and the family eventually immigrated to Israel.

[@brendalandes1813]

Very moving testimony, from a strong man whose parents were amazingly resourceful. It is rare that a whole family survived. Thank you. Brenda Israel

[@filmsbynix]

I'm 24 and from South Africa. I appreciate listening to these testimonies.

[@M.Smith1]

Thank you all for this program.

[@KB-hx3px]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. May we never forget and may we never repeat any of that. ❤️

[@robertvance863]

Thank you so very much for sharing your personal experiences of such a horrific and evil period in human history.

[@isabellrc]

Excellent interviewer, allowing this powerful testimony to be shared for all who are willing to listen! I’ve continued to learn more all the time. These stories always remind me to remain a kindhearted, open minded, non-prejudicial human being! 🫶🏻🤲🏻🙏🏻♥️

[@Jetmab04]

Thanks so much for sharing this and, special thanks to Nat Shaffir - these experiences and memories are so important to share 💕

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

What a dynamic man and speaker! Thank you for sharing.

[@sueannebrown2709]

These testimonials are very well done! 👏

[@gonefishing167]

Thank you for your testimony Mr Shaffir. It must take a lot of courage to talk about such painful memories. Sounds odd to say but, in the circumstances, how lucky you were to come out of the war with your immediate family intact and to even have what few belongings you have. Those candlesticks are such a powerful treasure aren’t they, how wonderful they’re being used with such love. Just imagine the generations of women who have handled them, I’m sure they’re all looking down with pride. Thank you again sir ; how can a supposedly civilised society sink so low, and in a short amount of time really. Unbelievable. Lessing to you snd your lovely family 🙏🙏🙏🙏👵👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@nanduriseshacharyulu1988]

Very happy to know that the whole family got through that dark period safely.

[@ryanpolastri3022]

If you don’t know, Nat’s son is a wildly successful comedian named Ari and is an amazing guy. Just did his last comedy special in a synagogue actually lol. The true American dream this man is special❤

[@14fiori]

Thank you so much for sharing your Life Story. What a brilliant, intelligent Interviewer! Thank you.

[@rositahuff4858]

…may your memory be a blessing….!

[@filmsbynix]

Beautiful family photo at the end

[@natashamichelle8330]

My heart poors to the babies, the children, the parents, the innocent. #NeverForget

[@malcolmdale]

My grandmother had the foresight to leave Iasi around 1900 and went to England. They had pogroms there then too.

[@ginaf2103]

😥💛

[@JemLeavitt]

Thank you.

[@edyatelier5th572]

Danke für Ihre Worte, die so wichtig und berührend sind, gerade in dieser Zeit, in der der grundlose Hass gegen Juden und die einzige Demokratie im Nahen Osten, Israel, bekämpft werden muss.

[@tiffanyprichard2197]

How could the priest do that?desperate to live? I could not live knowing I was responsible for their lives. Man is the most dangerous animal.

[@virginiaallenby2508]

How can u judge someone on the race or colour of the person. I do hope the jewish race are happy and healthy nowadays!! ❤

[@freddiedarwin4836]

ᴘʀᴏᴍᴏsᴍ 🎊