#HolocaustRemembranceDay

The scene is seared in Irene Weiss’s memory. One minute she was holding hands with her younger sister. The next, a Nazi officer separated them with his baton, and 11-year-old Edith was swallowed into a crowd, unknowingly bound for a gas chamber at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Decades later, Irene discovered the most painful moment of her life had been documented by a Nazi photographer. She saw her 13-year-old self, wearing a scarf and leaning forward, searching for Edith.
As part of the Museum’s 2023 commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Irene shared the story of the day her family was torn apart.
Guest
Irene Weiss, Holocaust survivor and volunteer, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Host
Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

[@mmoore3743]

I am so thankful for survivors like her for telling their stories of both before, during and after the war. It is so important to document their stories to help prevent anything like this from happening again. They were human beings who were due respect but instead received unimaginable hate. To even think of these things happening fills me with sadness.

[@yvonnerahui8729]

I don't believe documenting their stories will stop this happening ..maybe in the mass way it was done..but look what they've done through covid-turn one another against each other..families & all. And all else that is going on to divide us. Here in NZ no one respects anyone who does not speak the same narrative that the media is drumming in to all. Will Christians & anti-vaccinated be herded off one day soon??

[@elsayedina]

The interviewer is excellent, very calm, clear and concise.

[@TeresaEliz]

😢😢😢 “What is abnormal is that I am normal. That I survived the Holocaust and went on to love beautiful girls, to talk, to write, to have toast and tea and live my life - that is what is abnormal.” Elie Wiesel, survivor of the Holocaust

[@billmccarthy9689]

From the UK. What an amazing woman and beautiful person, excellently hosted. On my visit to Auschwitz a few years ago I stood at almost her exact spot as in the introduction. Tear jerking moments listening to her painful recollections. The photograph of her family must have been devastating after its release. I think that same photograph is pinned for all to see in that small wooded area next to the crematorium. On seeing the photo it sent shivers down my spine as I too have stood in that same area, looking at that photo where her family was lost. We must never forget.

[@celestryalcelestryal6690]

V?

[@yvonnerahui8729]

​@@celestryalcelestryal6690 ..??

[@DonnaMM6361]

I cannot imagine what it would be like to go there. When I was young, I was acquaintanced with a few very elderly individuals who had lived through the holocaust, and survived. They told a few stories of what they had witnessed, or lived through. I do not recall any who had been in a death camp. But, I was a teen in the 1970s. I will never forget these sweet people, though. They were all amazing human beings, with humor and humility, and a focus of mind that we seldom see today.

[@billmccarthy9689]

@@DonnaMM6361 You are 100% correct about many Holocaust victims. They are amazing human beings. Having studied the Holocaust and visited Aucshwitz / Plaszow concentration camps and visting the ghettos of Warsaw and Krakow brought home to me the pain and inhumanity of their plight. You will not see the same qualities of those victims in abundance today.

[@laurastatton1411]

My friend went their and she says when u get their it's got a really hideous atmosphere

[@davidrutter9786]

Another gracious woman who survived this horror as a child. Thankfully at 92 she is telling her story. I admire anyone that can live any form of a normal life after these experiences with such vivid memories. No matter what documentaries or movies are produced, the reality truly can't be depicted. To identify herself & members of her family, in photos in a book, 40 years later is heart wrenching. To talk about this takes tremendous courage after so many years. Never, never forget. Baruch hashem.

[@rachelbolejack4989]

God bless this dear woman and all of those who were persecuted. What a beautiful way to not let them win you lived and loved!! So much love and respect for you.

[@thecatcameback3921]

Whoever the children were, that were taught by Irene, I would consider to be VERY fortunate. A lovely lady.

[@SeasidePrincess]

Thank you for sharing your story! Bravery both in surviving and retelling. Thank you. 💗

[@MamaofaWrestler]

@SeasidePrincess you make an excellent point when you said the Holocaust survivors show Bravery when they retell their story.

[@emilyyeomans4042]

Although it's been 78 years, the pain, horror, strength and courage are still palpable today. We must never forget.

[@a_diamond]

In September it will be 84 years since the start of that horrible war.. for those of us who knew family members who survived it, it seems closer... It's terrifying to see some of the same poisonous politics rear it's head along with denialism.. The personal stories of the survivors matter... I'm glad they made this interview... Difficult to see and listen to, but important..

[@heathermiller3229]

We ee 😊

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Thank Irene for telling your story. Best wishes from Scotland.

[@kimsule5169]

Thank you Irene for sharing your story!! You are so BEAUTIFUL,so full of GRACE & DIGNITY !!

[@fredsimmons2793]

Much strength and comfort to you Edna and your courageous guest.Irene you are one noble woman ,and I thank God to have heard you.

[@isobelmetcalfe8479]

From N Ireland. Thank you, Irene, for sharing your sad story of great loss. You are such a courageous lady. Continuing to keep the land of Israel and precious Jewish people in my prayers. Shalom and God bless you!

[@mswakeprayslayjhodges5842]

Never forget. I reminded my children 9 children out of 10 were murdered for being Jewish. Thank you for being so bold and graceful in recounting your experience. I am deeply touched and perhaps with your bravery as an example I will have the courage to go and see this place that fills me with the terror of what humans can do to other humans. God bless you and your family.

[@yvonnerahui8729]

Oh my..so many people who have lived through such tortuous times. How does one get out of bed everyday? I am so sorry to hear your heartbreak! One cannot imagine such pain to live with. I see it as a great honoring of your family to keep living & in so you keep your family alive to the world. This evil was the devil using the Germans to wipe out the Jewish people who were the apple of God's eye..BECAUSE..He knows His end & there is a time again for the Jews in God's prophetic timeline for end times! I believe satans plan was to wipe them out in hope he could change prophecy to save his end. Evil is bound up in the heart of man because of the sin nature & only turning to Jesus Christ in faith for what He did for us at the cross will save us. Hopefully all the ones going to their deaths called upon the Lord & they will be saved for eternity.

[@sisterspooky]

@@yvonnerahui8729 - Ummm… she didn’t say it happened to _her_ family, it happened to 9/10 children during the Holocaust. Re-read the post.

[@MamaofaWrestler]

@yvonnerahui8729 by refusing to allow evil memories control you.

[@aimeeolivier663]

THANKYOU for sharing your story

[@jscho8674]

Thank you to Irene, for being so incredibly brave. I can't fathom how painful it must have been to discuss what happened to her. God bless her and her family.

[@janetcarey6954]

So very grateful for Irene's story.

[@marybethgery9155]

Thank you for telling your story, bless you❤

[@Cosette2022]

Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so sorry you had to endure this evil.

[@barbaraoshea7701]

Greetings from dublin Ireland you are such a brave lady

[@joanbryce9904]

Thank you for sharing your sad memories. You are touching the hearts of many. I am in Scotland

[@bharatdan3980]

Salute to such a brave living lady Respect your courage and infinite volume of emotional toughness!! Watching from India

[@robynholliday4794]

From Australia- thank you for your testimony Irene.

[@laurenturner4218]

Watching later but I would like to say thank you to Irene for sharing her story. I am not Jewish but I feel strongly it is important we all pay honour to the memory of all victims of this horrific event and I think it is my responsibility as a citizen of the world to confront what happened here and in other mass killings through history. We must mourn any single loss of life as if it is the end of a world, because it is the end of a world to that person and their loved ones. So remembering the Holocaust can seem overwhelming when you consider the scale of that loss of life. In my opinion, this makes it even more important to listen to individual stories such as this one. We must not let 6 million become simply a number, we must remember that it means 6 million lives taken and many more impacted.

[@jamesoakes5457]

Jim watching you all from the Philippines

[@isabelle8836]

From nyc, thank you for sharing your story.

[@ChairmanPaulieD]

I’m actually feeling Irene’s pain from her explaining when she and her family arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau .. I can’t even imagine the terror that as a 13 year old could have felt in those moments. God Bless you Irene and your family and with love and prayers from my heart #WeWillNeverForget ✡🕎🔯 🙏🏽

[@celestryalcelestryal6690]

God Bless you, and all survivors, from New Jersey, USA. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@ellenmiller9497]

Thank you for sharing. Ellen from Lufkin, TX

[@michaels.5778]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is an extremely important part of history.

[@joslynscott466]

My heart is with you Irene. The interviewer was so kind. This is must watch

[@channel20242]

Thank you for telling your story! 🙏

[@teresaproano7984]

Thank you so very much for sharing your story… blessings, Teresa

[@debbiebrooks3473]

Miss Irene, I am so sorry for what you went through during this horrific time in history. The loss of your family is so hard to comprehend. I am glad that you survived this dark, evil time, but so sorry that your family didn’t. I would like to keep you in my prayers if that is alright. I have such admiration for you. God bless and keep you safe and well. Sincerely, Deborah ♥️🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🙏🏾🙏🏿🙏🏼♥️🇺🇸

[@yvonnerahui8729]

Beautiful & very careful interview of the most sensitive of subject. Thank you Edna. What horrors maby have had to endure. Yet..they go on to live remarkable lives. Just so sad these survivors have gone through.

[@aishabenmoussa557]

Thank you for your testimony. I send all my love to you 🙏🌺

[@shainazion4073]

Giving a thumbs-up feels strange, as if we are giving the Holocaust a thumbs-up, it is through these testimonies that people will have to remember, and never forget.

[@Lars171968]

Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and keep you.

[@suzy-qtravels9202]

I still can’t believe the atrocities! 😢💔 I’m almost 60 and I’m just realizing how horrific the Holocaust was really!

[@successfulperson3304]

What a beautiful woman. How in the world can you live on after such an atrocity. I am in a state of shock.

[@gracetricarico2357]

❤I can not imagine what you went through 😢the horror we should not forget you all from Melbourne Australia

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

This is heart wrenching and so important to remember. Thank you for sharing. The interviewer was also amazing! What breaks my heart that those of us who live in a free country know that atrocities to humans are still on going in some countries. I don’t always comprehend why continued atrocities (perhaps not at the same level of Holocaust) are still allowed and we don’t intervene. 💔

[@fancyfree8228]

“We couldn’t cry. Tears were not enough for such an experience.”

[@laurastatton1411]

Bless her ❤️

[@sisterspooky]

Her sister, Serena, looks a lot like her mother, z’’l. This was an amazing testimony. Thank you for sharing her story.

[@heavenpowerglory4915]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[@sandy4498]

It’s so difficult for her to find the words to describe what she saw an lived. So many years and she is so affected. That would never get easier, to talk about those experiences. She is so brave, and careful. I admire her calm and the way she expresses herself

[@josieferraris2553]

Thank you for your sharing such a traumatic event. My father escaped East Germany, after Germans occupied Czechoslavakia. His mother stayed and later had her leg amputated. My father took me to where is his home and believe have seen Auschwitz. He died after my two brothers died, suddenly. His heart was broken. In 2019, my older brother, dad and dog suddenly died within 40 days. I have now lost all older members of my family. My mother died shortly after my younger brother died. We were refugees in United States, from Montreal Canada. I am trying to find history of my fathers' family, since he had no father. He had a step father, that beat him and his grandmother kept him warm and alive in the 'oven'. No more is known. When he was dying, I asked about coming to United States and he claimed no memory of anything. I am lost and feel the need to find out what happened? Thank you for the courage to explain horrific circumstances with us. Perhaps there are more lost children, like myself, with horrific stories, today, too! Doctors accidently cut my colon, during ovary surgery after had just gotten married and wanted children. I am rendered sterilized because of this. My mother could not visit hospital since it made her sick to her stomach to look at my poisoned yellow face. I lost my teaching credential, since could not 'clear' it.My husband and I married as I graduated, purchased a home and prepared to pay back $100,000 student loan money as a teacher. Instead have had multiple surgeries causing no children, no teaching, marriage failing since accident right after surgery and marriage.

[@beatricesiher6516]

So sorry..be brave

[@joshharris9788]

Thank you so much for your courage and strength in telling your story. We must never forget what can happen when pure evil is unchecked.

[@WilliamAndScout]

I do not understand people's cruelty; and thank you for these eye- opening programs. As well, this helps measure and mark stark Human History.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

That is exactly why FDR thought the concentration camps was Soviet propaganda. It was so weird, people thought it was not true.

[@mikshin9825]

FDR said that the ship full of Jewish children should not enter the US claiming that they are not a problem at the moment but they will grow up one day. The price of admission to the US for a Jew escapee was an American relative and $5,000 dollars for each life that was to be rescued, an unimaginable sum to collect during the depression. The USA should be forever ashamed for its anti-Semitism and refusal to help when it mattered. So many lives would have been spared if they opened their borders. Of course, the Jews are smarter than to retell what I said in this comment too often: they need American military power in the Middle East.

[@shainazion4073]

FDR knew, don't believe the propaganda. Nobody wanted to help the Jews.

[@mapunbugwe9245]

😢 listening to you from Limpopo South Africa 🥲

[@karawilliamson106]

Yes Mam it is an Honor Bless you

[@lisbethmnstedlarsen6431]

The pain,fear and courage the survivors of the Holocaust have shown must never be forgotten the love between near family members must not be forgotten.We must always fight every kind of prejudice no matter where we find it we must speak up and fight it no matter when and where and if we can show courage then even a tenth of the courage shown by these survivors then we will be fortunate indeed.

[@philomenadennehy8585]

We must always keep what happened in our memory

[@waynejones750]

How could people be so cruel ❤

[@beatricesiher6516]

They still are..siria, Rusia, Cuba , venezuela,Nicaragua, abd antisemitism growing...

[@ThomasMusings]

a powerful witness

[@a_diamond]

❤️❤️❤️

[@beatricesiher6516]

From Panama..my father kindertransport at 11..my grandmother arrived in the ship Koenigstein to Venezuela, here in Panama 6 years....

[@tiborszalavetz6919]

I'm following you from Germany but the story of my father it's similar with what is delivered in your film . They were also victims of the Hungarian politics against the minorities in that time. His family lost in that way 30 people. Most pf them were deported in June 1944 .

[@dewuknowHIM]

Yes !!!! Dont let our children forget either !!!

[@Contessa6363]

Thank you so much Irene for sharing your story. God Bless You and your Family!❤️👍👍🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️🕎🕎🕎❤️

[@happybunny8704]

I’m in the UK both my mother and father were children during the war but they both were old enough to remember the news reels when the camps were discovered. They made sure that we, my siblings and I were aware of the holocaust and I have made sure that my children are aware. I think this is the only way we can honour those that were murdered by making sure that generations that follow never forget. 😢

[@kikatx]

It's important to learn about this and never forget. Soon there will be noone left who actually experienced this horror personally.

[@hashimtenthstone5891]

16.8 😢

[@shainazion4073]

My Grandfather was from Munkacz, Hungary.

[@flynndiesl]

Hate is demonic. Jesus said Love one another as you love yourself. Bless you

[@lyricalaska]

This woman tells the awful story so well! She is an amazing woman in all respects. I wish I had known her personally!! G-d Bless!

[@frederickroberts4266]

From Canada

[@marieannechen9966]

I find it heartbreaking that this generation, I guess it’s referred to as generation “G” or “ Z” ? , do not believe or are not aware of the atrocities that this genocide occurred. Sadly they are no longer taught History in school. I can only Pray that this topic is never forgotten is will be talked about for our future generations!!! Thank You for talking about the horrors that these innocent people experienced. I cannot imagine how any human being, let alone any child could have survived both physically and emotionally. The Survivors are the strongest people I’ve ever seen or heard speaking about what they witnessed or were a part of. I believe this is why the Jewish people are God’s chosen people! How could they not be??? They have suffered persecution for so many years. The loss of life can never be fathomed by most, millions of innocent people led to death. They suffered mass extermination of human life and I’ve never ever heard them talk about any type of reparations EVER!! They are aware that most people in the world today had nothing to do with their atrocities! We can’t expect to hold innocent people , who would never agree to this type of treatment of a human being, be responsible in any way for something that they had no idea was happening!!! I Pray for world peace and that there is more love for one another. May God Bless and Protect All of His Children, Amen 🙏🏽 ♥️

[@north-stara331]

Reminds me of what’s going on now. 😢

[@kirstensknneman41]

Denmark too

[@user-gt6ye8cr4z]

So dark. Baruch hashem.

[@helenal.7881]

My fathers family was murdered in The Holocaust. As his daughter its astounding to me that Jews didn’t believe the horrific “rumors” that Jews were being murdered! Why would your friends/family lie about such things?? I just don’t understand.

[@ChairmanPaulieD]

I remember watching a KZbin video that this Polish man got out of the Warsaw ghetto and managed to get to the UK to tell Prime Minister Churchill what was happening to Jewish and Slavic and Polish and Russian Jews and Churchill got him on a plane meet with US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and when he arrived in Washington D.C and spoke with one of Supreme Court Judges that was Jewish. That Supreme Court Judge didn’t believe the man and told him that he was a liar 🤥… such a slap to the face if you ask me

[@monikahinson296]

@@ChairmanPaulieD Jan Karski was a courier. Witold Pilecki was the one who was in Aushwitz and wrote ,,Witold raport. Two incredible stories.

[@ChairmanPaulieD]

@@monikahinson296 do you know what I was talking about? It was from a documentary about what was happening in the ghettos in Poland in the General Government sector of Nazi Germany

[@skidaddler6293]

#Neveragain

[@sue.F]

The loss of humanity begins with fanaticism and the propaganda of “othering”, we need to be forever on guard against both. Without a vow of absolute non-violence, this evil will surely reoccur. That the ripened fruit on the tree unleashed Irene’s suppressed emotional response was so personal, so painfully inescapable, so human. Oh, the pointlessness of all that suffering.

[@donnangatai9281]

New Zealand

[@cherjohnson5807]

Chester California

[@MM-yi9zn]

Oh the enormous talent that was lost. The German legacy will be recorded forever in history. Oh the utter atrocious monstrosity of these mass murderers. Definitely not human. Pure evil..

[@olwenloud9704]

Sadly, it is all too human. Animals do not behave like that.

[@almatsas351]

MY MOTHER WAS THERE. AGE 17. HER FAMILY WAS MURDERED, GASSED. MY MOTHERS # IS 76884. SHE IS 96 NOW...

[@mariaschwartz447]

My grandparents also survivors were brought to US by HIAS

[@silvanazordan8327]

Rome. :. a uncle in Bergen belsen. too.

[@almatsas351]

My mom was 17-18 in Auschwitz. 1944 to 45. She is 96 now with dementia and has screaming night terrors often...the torture never stops. All Nazis must be stopped.

[@swapnasarkar5984]

How could holocaust happen .theastrocities and killing and torturing is heartbreaking .Generation after generations should know about this as long as homosapiens are their on the earth .

[@Paula_Shelton]

This is so important for all generations to hear. Thank you Irene, and on behalf of humanity I am so very sorry you had to endure such horror.

[@FelipeHawk1]

When I was 13 years old in 1984, I had a dream; I dreamed that there were some men in black jackets, with big beards, and women crossing a train line and, looking at me and saying: - Help, help... you are one of us... in 2002, at the age of 31 , I learned that my grandmother, fled from Holland and, her relatives were taken by train and burned alive. And, it seems that she practiced Kabbalah and, she had blue eyes and, she was blonde.. still is, because she protects me, my ancestors protect me... 🇧🇷🕎✡️😘💞

[@anneavram9210]

I hope will be not necessary to talk about the horoble acts of people on other people will anymore be nesesery , my hope is that people wgpho still have tendency to treat others without the kindest, will realize today even about Nimals are more kind one to another even from different species ,so they should get ashamed to be in human bodies and have so much potential for goodness, makes no sense to use another ways

[@robertrosano1964]

To this day I can not shake the deep hatred that I have for all those involved in the crimes against humanity. This so called civilized people were actually the real subhumans of the world full of hate and blaming others for their shortcomings. How shameful!

[@AnarchistPoop]

Hearing all these testimonies, one has to wonder if the nazis were using terror as a way to keep them all in shock, because that's something they all talk about. Of how at the time, they felt detached, and only when the war ended-months later-the reality of it all hit them.

[@frederickroberts4266]

From Canada