Holocaust Survivor Kurt Messerschmidt Testimony | USC Shoah Foundation

This testimony from Jewish survivor, Kurt Messerschmidt, is from USC Shoah Foundation's Visual History Archive and is also featured in Echoes & Reflections: A Multimedia Curriculum on the Holocaust. For more information, visit: www.echoesandreflections.org
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USC Shoah Foundation - The Institute for Visual History and Education develops
empathy, understanding and respect through testimony, using its Visual History Archive of more than 55,000 video testimonies, academic programs and partnerships across USC and 170 universities, and award-winning IWitness education program. USC Shoah Foundation’s interactive programming, research and materials are accessed in museums and universities, cited by government leaders and NGOs, and taught in classrooms around the world. Now in its third decade, USC Shoah Foundation reaches millions of people on six continents from its home at the University of Southern California.
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[@christinefougere1444]

So sorry to learn of Cantor Messerschmidt's passing, at 102 years of age, this week. He was a wonderful man. Remember his quote, "silence is what did the harm"

[@andymanser1]

christine when look world today see people complain look watch this humble guy life put into perspective admire him

[@evehong2944]

@@andymanser1 your ex back 🔙

[@cecilialiebenfelss8827]

An extraordinary man!

[@sahriestar]

So many of these survivors who tell their story aged so well.

What a " modest" man!!

[@lucilleducote4229]

I am late listening to this. This amazing man has passed but I am so grateful he graced this world with his life & made this infinite testimony! Thank you sir!

[@jenniferbaragar8254]

😊😊😊😊

[@shawnaallen5978]

He was such a beautiful person. I have watched so many of these and have cried many tears. All while feeling like the interviewers were stone. This interviewer was amazing and very much how I wish all would be. Cantor thank you for your testimony and may you rest in peace

[@ljm1094]

What a man! With so many gifts and talents it was as if he carried all of the best of his people within him! I’m glad he survived and lived a long life of giving!

[@shivani41]

Mr Kurt Messerschmidt, the cantor, and his beautiful wife are staying in my heart, along with their family, to whom he introduces us here, remembering the ones who were alive before him and celebrating the ones who were born later. He has shown here such a profound yet gentle embodiment of faith, he exemplifies that incredible inner fortitude to have never given up and he was at home with the musicianship which came with him, right when he was born. That communicative gift never left him, as one can see and hear during his moments at the piano. His face! Thank you for preserving his few hours of speaking about his experiences. The interviewer was so receptive, respectful, and she quietly made sure that this great man could go at his own pace. He needed to have the floor, is a natural speaker, because one can hear that he didn't waste a word and was a marvelously independent and spontaneous speaker, raconteur. ✨ This interview is superb. Unforgettably, this work being offered to all who want to hear it is so very deeply impressive. Again, thank you.

[@randyhavard6084]

Thank you for the work preserving the memories of the few that were able to tell the world about their lives and what they went through.

[@sherriemathieson]

An amazing man--so wise and talented (a prodigy really), so brave and loving. He and his wife Sonja have been lifelong friends of my mother.Today Kurt is 100, and still mentally as astute as anyone years younger!! Sonja sadly died a few years ago.

[@enraged7545]

Thank you Sherrie for sharing this.

[@alexandral.7524]

Sherrie Mathieson he said that sonja will tell her story on her own. is there an interview of her as well?

[@saskiawells9472]

What a wonderful man great story so strong x

[@saskiawells9472]

What a beautiful couple x

[@marymarmande8446]

Imagine the world today if so many others like him had lived 💕 thank you

[@paolaamatosabatelli3025]

What a beautiful, smart and gentle person! His attitude towards life makes such an example for many today!

[@texasranger4656]

I cant imagine the horrors this gentleman went through. What a powerful story he has .I can only admire his strength. Very sorry to read of his passing.

[@ambientgamesound]

He is speaking with such a nice voice. I wonder how he sounds like as a cantor. May you rest in peace.

[@toniiversen4666]

That’s what I was thinking.All that talent composers,seamstress,cabinet makers,Speaking four languages,School teachers..All these talents the Germans missed out on and Nazis destroyed..

[@fl3522]

1901- 2021- Nobel Prize awarded to 900 individuals or organizations; at least 210 of them were Jewish. The Holocaust claimed some of the Best and the Brightest; their lives destroyed by some of the most ignorant.

[@charlesparrish2831]

God bless this gentleman;his testimony is very good and important;Thank you sir!!!We will never ever forget !!!

[@Jpolisner]

This guy is my great grandfather

[@kittywaymo]

Awwe, his dear mother.♥️♥️🙏🏼

[@beverleygailluen4714]

I love this story, cried and madly impressed with his resilience kindness strength and intelligence.. what an inspiration Thsnkyou 🙏

[@petetotaro9510]

Mr Kurt Messerschmidt is a very wise man! His recollections of the most Horrific thing that what was supposed to be, “A civilized group of people,” Only shows that the old saying, “You cannot judge a book by it’s cover!”

[@smbau]

Wonderful man, amazing testimony. And very nice, respectful interviewer for a change.

[@EJStormful]

God proofed him with unbelievable hardness, and his unique soul overcame all of that. Greatest respect for this warmhearded personality. It makes me sad, he passed away.

[@patsylucas-edwards1259]

The joy of The Lord is my strength! G-d bless him & His family. I enjoyed his testimony the most so far, because he lived hoping in the midst of tribulation & overcame through faith the most monstrous affliction. His joy was palpable & contagious!

[@ajkalwaysneedsmoreinfo.576]

So what you're saying is the joy of the Lord saved him and many others but let millions of others suffer and die at the same time. What is that supposed to mean, is the Lord up there playing chess with humans.. the older and more mature and wiser I get the more I realize that organized religion in itself it's part of the problem...

[@kittywaymo]

G-d bless him & the students ❤️💔♥️🙏🏼

[@mariajosecoto4729]

Debería haber subtítulos en algunos idiomas, una lastima

[@lonnekekalf7471]

Rest in peace

[@Djhikes63]

What a powerful testimonial. What a most remarkable man of God.

[@margaretroselle8610]

Another wonderful testimony......thank you!

[@summern8041]

THANKS, FOR BEING LOUD

[@emmcee662]

Bless this decent strong man ♥️

[@ihatetheparty6340]

If I were an invisible angel, I would kiss this man on the forehead, to remind him of the Spirit World --- God's heavenly "country club", where NO ONE gets in without his "O.K."

[@michaelvos141]

Bono pnnnnpnpn pop n on PNR nonprofit npnpnppnpnk KoKo no npnppnpNino npkppp on noon on pnpnpnpnpnnnpnnpnlnp KoKo no on pnpnpppoooppppppppppnpppppppppppnppppppnppppppppppppppppppnppppnpnpppppppppppppppnppnpppppppnppnppppppppppppppppppppppppnpppph

[@michaelvos141]

Hbhhhhlnknhmmmlmmnnl n n nn linknnopn. O n Oooo. On. Ooo bc Ooooo ooooo o o bboooooo

[@mightylove3591]

The interviewers from many are as cold as can be As these people tell the most personal things Be warm or don’t do this most important job - This is to the interviewer of. Emanuel middleman These women seem nicer

[@dgticktin]

Incredible Man

[@zely1017]

i love him

[@mazzalobo]

Very well told story

[@marknathan6699]

Off topic , are there any survivor interviews 1941 or 42 ? Maybe a Naive question. As antisemitism takes hold again I fear they soon will forget , never forget.

[@farapipsqueek636]

You mean people born in 1941?

[@heaterpistol6067]

The democrats in the United States are antisemitic

[@YT_HATES_FREE_SPEECH]

How and where is antisemitism taking hold again? People dont have a problem with jewish people, Zionism yes.

[@jasminejones9937]

WHY does that female "interviewer" insist on having the people SPELL their names when they already showed their names on their birth certificate ?? What is this a bloody interrogation ? Worst interviewer Ive ever seen UGH !

[@searchforthetruth9836]

I have wondered how much training these interviewers receive, but this lady is actually about the best I've encountered after listening to many of these interviews. She seems polite, unobtrusive, and supportive of this gentleman. Some are loud and aggressive, REALLY insensitive as they talk over or interrupt the speakers. Those interviewers are hard to tolerate as I feel like I'm witnessing these brave speakers be mistreated all over again. The spellings of names, though, is to help build accurate records of those who were not able to tell their own fates. So many were lost, without any one to speak for them, so I think the goal is to fill in gaps for future generations. I have several ancestors who just disappeared in that situation, and I wish I could get some answers before those who might know something have all passed on. Good question, though. All the best to you, my fellow listener.

[@juliealvis7635]

They do this so they know they get their names correct - there are thousands of testimonies that you can search on their website - so I'm assuming they ask for the spelling so they have it correct.

[@leonz6429]

Arrogant.

I am sure he is a great latinist. Now he should start learning English.