2022 First Person with Holocaust Survivor Steven Fenves

Steven Fenves vividly remembers his family’s expulsion from their home in Axis-controlled Subotica (today part of Serbia), in May 1944. Neighbors lined both sides of the stairs, spitting and yelling antisemitic insults, eager to ransack their apartment.
Hear Holocaust survivor Steven’s experiences in his own words recorded on January 19, 2022. First Person is a monthly hour-long discussion featuring a live interview between journalist Bill Benson and a survivor and including questions from the audience, available on the Museum’s KZbin channel.
Learn about the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Read about the German occupation of Hungary: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Learn more about the Auschwitz camp complex: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Read about forced labor under the Nazis: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Watch as Steven shares more about Maris, his family’s former cook: • Rescued Recipes: Heroi...

[@annarodriguez9868]

I'm going to share this video with my grandchildren. In April of 2002, just 5 months after September 11, my husband and I were chaperones for our daughter's middle school trip to Washington DC. Because of the horrible events of 9-11 the trip was extended to include a visit to the Twin Tower site and the Holocaust Museum. At the Museum there was one girl who didn't want to look at anything because she was afraid to just see. I told her that she needed to be brave to look and listen because there were young people like her who had to live through it and so many died because of those who refused to look and listen. That is what my middle school history teacher told my class when I was 14. He said Look, listen and remember so you can tell and warn others.

[@forpetessake3532]

AND NOW- we are headed towards this exact thing again but people can not see it

[@cacampbell3654]

I’m assuming this is not live and therefore the “chat” is not live. I’m watching this interview from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada 🇨🇦. Both my parents were WWII vets. I’ve been a tenant in a house owned by Holocaust survivors, was married to a Jewish man from Montreal (Quebec, Canada) whose family emigrated to Canada from Belarus 🇧🇾. Studying the Holocaust has been a lifelong passion for many reasons.

[@michekids]

Shalom from Seattle. Thank you Steven Fenves for your undaunted courage

[@jeniferhermann909]

I will never forget. I lived in Holland for 4 years and I lived in Germany for 4 years as well. I visited Ann Frank's hiding place and it totally changed me. I will never understand what these beautiful people went thru, never. But I follow every story... I love these people.

[@BannedHistory]

you have a sickness. seek help

[@patriciacole8773]

I believe it’s a spiritual battle over worship. Specifically that the enemy of souls is fighting against sabbath Truth.

[@thomaslucas6079]

Most people are not as strong as this man. It takes a strong personality to survive and a even stronger personality not to go insane from the loss of your loved ones.

[@AGoodHairDay]

What an amazing, courageous man. Cannot even imagine what he went through. Thank you for sharing your story 🙏🏾

[@billtuqoise1343]

Best interviewer I've ever seen on a Holocaust Survivor interview, empathic and careful listener.

[@sormont]

A truly amazing story about this extraordinary man who learned how and was blessed to survive the holocaust’s horrors. I am amazed by the fact that he can relive his story in this interview and what I assume are many other talks, and he stays seemingly emotionally healthy and strong! Thank you Steve for sharing with us.

[@traderjts]

As an American Hungarian that speaks Hungarian I would like to see the Museum do an interview in Magyar. It is important that the dysphoria and Hungarians hear this account of history.

[@nancybarnett7984]

Thank you so much for sharing. I felt your hurt and the betrayal you must have felt when your neighbors turned up to loot your apartment and the Germans who brought back fleeing prisoners. I’m glad you’re cook helped you. But those things should never have happened.

[@willfade7994]

Hello from Orange County, California. Thank you so much for sharing this. The Holocaust happened many years before I was even born, but it’s always held my interest because of my stepmother who was born in Poland shortly after liberation. She told me many stories about her parents and the Polish ghettos during the Nazi occupation. Also, my Grandfather is an Army Veteran. He fought in WWII, but he was in the South Pacific. His closest childhood friend, who also joined the military, was sent to Europe and died while fighting the Nazis. What was happening in Europe during WWII still haunts my Grandpa to this day. He had no way of knowing just how bad the situation was. My Grandpa just celebrated his 98th birthday…. I’ve always wished there was a way to go back in time and stop the Holocaust from happening. There will never be closure and I fear that this will happen again, especially with the state of the world today, even in America. My heart is with all of those who lost their lives and to all who survived, all the families, so many countless lives destroyed needlessly. It means so much to me that Steven took the time to share his story. I want to reach through my screen and hug the man. God bless him. 🙏🏻

[@cecilefox9136]

I watched this very moving interview from Pamplona,Navarre,SpainThank you so much!

[@nicksg3002]

Extraordinary story of bravery. Thank you so much for speaking up.

[@rondabrewer3185]

Ronda From Mississippi. What a horrific nightmare for anyone, much less a child! You must have strength that only God can give! Thank you for reliving this evil, just to tell us your story!!

[@kelliemadonna4653]

Thank you Steve, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Not an exact quote but true regardless. I feel these stories of the horror you had to endure are so important in these times when government is repeating history right under the noses of those who refuse to see it. Your courage and strength are truly inspiring. Much love and prayers from Florida!

[@patriciacole8773]

I believe this is a spiritual battle over worship. Specifically the day of rest. The enemy of souls fights against God’s seventh day sabbath.

[@janespring2277]

Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking account of what we must never forget.

[@paulvanhelmond3104]

Thank you Mr. Fenves. I am glad I got to hear about your experiences during WWII. It is very important to never forget that these unthinkable things actually really did happen and can happen again. You remind me to not just don’t discriminate, but instead proactively fight injustice.

[@Vilelyn]

Thank you Steve.

[@catherinewhelan319]

Thank you sharing your memories with us. Stay safe. Catherine in Dublin Ireland

[@richasmarie]

Listening from USA, it’s so sad!!!

[@anasol8115]

Maravilloso, que siga contándonos su interminable historia, con tanta coherencia y respeto!!! Gracias

[@luannebthodey7389]

Thank you for this program ... joining you from Airey's Inlet in Australia ...

[@eringuerrero618]

Thank you so much for this interview! He is amazing and his stories are incredible. Grateful for the knowledge this brought me today.

[@tonymartin9155]

God bless you Steve.The mental and physical scars must have been unthinkable.I'm so sorry you and everybody had to go through this horror. I can't imagine.

[@karladobbins2401]

My name is Karla Dobbins. I Live in Monticello. KY. I like to listen to the stories of such courage in a world filled with hate. I love hearing about the stories of how people who survived in a time of hate and confusion.

[@itamardias17]

Mr Fenves, thank you for sharing such vivid memories of such difficult times. Of all that I have read or heard about Auschwitz, your statements were the ones that moved me the most and made me visualize better the whole context. Sir, you are brave. I wish you health, protection, peace. Thank you again.

[@lorrifrench4460]

I watched this morning from Texas. Thank you for sharing your story . So glad your family’s cook saved your mother’s recipes and drawings. Hope to find out more about your sister ‘s and your escape from Yugoslavia, and life in the USA. Thank you & God bless you. ❤

[@selfesteem3447]

Thank You Precious Steve. You're a beautiful Soul, a treasure, a shining light, you're loved🤍

[@allthatmattersiscigars2312]

i was rivetted the entire time. how anger hasnt eaten him is beyond... mountain of a man

[@andrewsandoz8005]

I found out after WWll, that my mother's family who were Swiss, hid Jews in their basement and were involved in Nazi resistance. I remember as a child some of my mother's friends having numbers tattooed on their arms. One of the most terrible times in history.

[@maureenstevens6824]

God will truly bless that wonderful sacrifice for these His people.

[@theresecroteau8724]

So grateful you made it through and for sharing your experience with all of us.

[@johnr7279]

What strength of character!

[@cherylkitchen]

Thank you.

[@almamadd0x828]

Adorable brother and sister

[@andromedayuyi9845]

My grandparents have had a copy of that castle at Fontembleau lithograph in their hallway for my whole childhood! I would stand in front of it and study it often!

[@luzalgarin9518]

Mr. Steven Fences, Thank you so much for sharing with me an infamous fragment of the Hitler's Nazi horrendous regimen. It must have been a painful odyssey to recollect such memories and to recount them; they only echo the evilness of Hitler and his followers. The crimes and cruelties committed against my sons and daughters, my fathers and mothers, my brothers and sisters hurt me deeply, regardless their ethnicity and nationality. In Isaiah 2: 4, Jehovah God, the Creator and Source of life, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, promises: "He will be judge among the nations and will settle matters in relation to many peoples. They will turn their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. The nations will no longer raise their swords against each other and learn no more to wage war." My immediate neighbors are Jews and I am a Jehovah's Witness. Their hearts are superior than pure gold by far. They are extremely kind. The gentleman takes care of my trash can every Wednesday without my asking him to do so. They are lovely human beings, and they are not in need of the smallest improvement.

[@jenniferbaragar8254]

Following from Michigan, USA. Thanks for sharing your story compelling story. Jennifer B.

[@leslieraymond6372]

I'm so sorry for what you and your family went thru 💔

[@emmcee662]

Bless you Steven. Thank you for sharing your story. I have such love and admiration for the Jewish people especially all who endured the Holocaust. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺

[@fuensantacampillogomez3288]

Thank you for your courage in narrating your experiences and keeping up the fight for human rights.

[@karawilliamson106]

Wonderful channel… important people with important stories to tell. Your show should be required in history classes

[@valeriejohnson2222]

An amazing man even at the tender age of 13......

[@eileenmurray2797]

I'm am listening to your interesting story from Spain.

[@teresaproano7984]

Thank you for sharing your story 🙏🏻

[@lorettajones5076]

Thank you sir. from a Baptist in Texas

[@megroux]

Hello from Louisiana, thank you for sharing your story with us.

[@louisavanyzendoorn9742]

Thank you so much for your story. I live in Canada but was born in the Netherlands in 1945 so I know the history.

[@ginawang2692]

It makes me cry to hear all these stories and the pictures are so powerful

[@filmsbynix]

Thank you for sharing

[@janetblanc7658]

And from Switzerland. Steven, I'm do sorry you suffered such horrors.

[@ginaf2103]

❤😥

[@bernardbartolic4962]

Shalom.Toda for education.Ahava.,Chazaq in Emet.HaShem bless.

[@thomast9736]

Hopefully many of these accounts have been captured as there are fewer survivors alive.

[@sammontgomery7233]

unbelievable. Godbless you sir

[@sallyzedillo4468]

Listening from Mexico

[@izzy4usathomas665]

Buckeye Lake, Ohio, USA here

[@alishagrumblebee8488]

Love to all

[@rondabrewer3185]

I would like to know how this man, and others got some of their personal effects back after the war, such as pictures

[@maureenstevens6824]

His family's former cook saved them for them as he stated.

[@aquablue3803]

At the Unoin Station in Kansas City Missouri. A Exhibition of the Holocaust was there. We seen how the Jews were treated and what they went through. Very Sad Hesrt reaching Angry Tears Educational. Hard to know that these people didn't have to die. I'll never forget it❤

[@jamiem5657]

Wonder if there are any smells, sights, sounds that put him back in a particular situation, that either reminds him of family or of his time in Auschwitz. What is something he finds important for us to pass down when there aren't survivors left to tell their 1st hand accounts?

[@wednesdayschild3627]

It is amazing anyone survived.

[@4june9140]

Bob from Hong Kong

[@forpetessake3532]

only GOD can understand why they had to go through this -- we are headed there again

[@patriciacole8773]

I believe it’s a spiritual battle over worship. Specifically the day of rest. The enemy of souls is fighting against God’s seventh day sabbath. Yes I too believe it’s coming again.

[@bertplank8011]

Any chance you chaps could interview the relatives of the massacred inhabitants of Deir Yassin?.

[@brendalandes1813]

I watch all the testimonies. The most terrible thing is that the Allies knew about Ausvitch and there were British pilots prepared to bomb the railroad leading to the camp. However this was not allowed.

[@fatimasalie3911]

Injustice to people..r unacceptable..so sad realy.😪

[@josiedickson6959]

Thank you sirs ...so grateful

[@timmysimmons8679]

Send to whoopi

[@joannbobo1215]

You sure were a cute little boy.

[@tarasbulba3190]

Remember HOLODIMOR???