First Person with Rose-Helene Spreiregen, April 24, 2019

Through the First Person program, Holocaust survivors have the opportunity to share their remarkable personal stories of hope, tragedy, and survival with thousands of visitors at the Museum. This program was livestreamed on April 24, 2019. It features Rose-Helene Spreiregen, who was born in Paris, France in 1931. In May 1940, Germany invaded France. Later that year, antisemitic legislation was instituted in France, requiring all Jews to register with local authorities and wear a yellow Star of David on their garments at all times. Other restrictive measures were also passed. By the summer of 1942, it became unsafe for Rose-Helene to attend school, as Jewish children were being arrested while in class and deported with their families. for an entire year after her mother Rivka’s arrest, Rose-Helene hid in the apartment of her grandmother and did not leave it for a year. In August 1943, they were able to flee to the unoccupied zone and found safety in the village of Voiron. After the Allies liberated Paris, the two women returned to Paris in November of 1944. Rose-Helene’s mother never returned, having been murdered in Auschwitz.

[@leyniaLip]

This is a remarkable story. Thank you for sharing your trials and this history, Rose--Helene. Bill, continued appreciation for your fine interviewing.

[@cherylmccarthy2932]

What an amazing testimony! It is hard to imagine being a little girl, being in charge, getting her grandmother through two checkpoints. I am so sorry for your loss.

[@chrissims3810]

Thank you for your testimony.

[@helenh493]

PS: Sorry, I forgot to mention one more thing... Thank-You! and God Bless You !

[@Here_kitty_kitty1-wg9xd]

Ah, ya, God forgot to bless the 5 million Jews during her war, and the 5 million Polish. Come on people, stop believing in the sugar plum fairy. You’re all smarter than this. A secular education is everything - then you can believe in fairies if that so interests you…as an adult. But you won’t. You are good enough as you are without a man made God.

[@chrissims3810]

Thank you for your testimony.