Jewish Survivor Helen Lewis Testimony Part 1 | USC Shoah Foundation

You are watching Helen Lewis, a Jewish Holocaust survivor. To learn more about Helen and explore the stories of other Holocaust survivors and witnesses, visit vhaonline.usc.edu.
These videos are brought to you by USC Shoah Foundation, which was founded by Steven Spielberg in 1994. The Institute preserves video testimonies of 55,000+ genocide survivors, witnesses, liberators, and others. Each video testimony has been indexed with specific terms, names, places, and dates. Click here to explore the Visual History Archive: vhaonline.usc.edu.
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[@NelCooper]

These survivors who tell their stories here are the most elegant and well spoken people I have ever seen or heard!

[@jamesandersonanderson5325]

M'"l

[@suorman]

Yes yes yes 👍

[@janetblanc7658]

Yes, cultured, dignified, eloquent. They put those those rough,uncouth nazis to shame. Such quiet courage.

[@mrbatman4robin]

Thank you for the humbling privilege of listening to your testimony. I will never forget.

[@lisaherrling6880]

Such a sweet lady. Her memory is amazing. I also appreciate how respectful the interviewer is to her. Some of the interviewers are so rude and disrespectful.

[@tinamann3400]

These personal stories are a true window into the nightmare and serve to illuminate history like nothing else can. Thank you so very much for your wisdom and courage.

[@doranconroy5107]

This woman is MARVELLOUS ! Her ability to tell the story is unspurpassed ! Just amazingly elqoquent.

[@daniellachalhoub1560]

Sweat, intelligent, sensible and sensitive women who tells her story with lucidity and in clear and well chosen words. Some of the witnesses are so wonderful you would love to know them and care for them. Thank you for your testimony. 💗🙏💗🙏💗

[@sharonruminer939]

😊😊

[@paolaamatosabatelli3025]

How beautiful and elegant is this lady!!! She does not show any hate. She makes me cry

[@agnesi8690]

To me, she is deserving of some sainthood or something. There is a divinity about this woman. I have watched many testimonies, and this one is just 🤯. She is very dignified.

[@mrbatman4robin]

Why not rather pronounce 'saints' (hasidim) the many who perished?

[@staycurious644]

She’s all class.

[@doranconroy5107]

@@mrbatman4robin Oh please

[@louisemurray9282]

@@mrbatman4robin We are so lucky to have these testimonies! Survivors, Witnesses, Beautiful Tortured Souls Whom survived and Blessed Their Adopted Countries with Their Knowledge!! Deserving of a Sacred Artistic Beautiful Tribute in Our Country!

[@malcolmjoyce5669]

@@doranconroy5107 mu

[@politicabritanicaynorteame9266]

Wonderful woman, extraordinary testimony. Thank you for everything, Helen.

[@shivani41]

As soon as she, our lady, began speaking, she was so rich with life that I was in love with her and could listen forever. She is golden and teaches me to be a more interactive and sharing kind of a grandmama. Of course she would love music and dancing! Here, and so uniquely, she gives the joy of life, unconquerably. Thank you beyond measure, for these recordings from true true loving people who saw fascism and its resultant devastations firsthand. Even now, in 2020's last months, every word spoken here is deeply relevant, sacred, even to hear such a beautiful woman talk us through some of some of her and her loved ones' experiences. Even now it feels immediate. This has been a privilege to hear. Stunning.

[@agnesi8690]

Took my breath away as well. A very compelling witness indeed

[@lourdesprudencio5647]

I don't understand how this could have happened...

[@doranconroy5107]

Those were my sentiments EXACTLY! I could listen to her read the phone book !

[@lindataplin6807]

everything you say ....correct

[@anamargarida4100]

Her book is outstanding! I just ended my reading, and i can tell that i cried a lot of times. She is a wonderful lady, and she has a giant will of living. And yes, dance saved her life. The book is " A time to speak"

[@suorman]

Thank you for this mention of Ms Lewis book, I will find and read. I soo would like to have met her. So articulate, intelligent, compassionate and soo sweet. The interviewer was one of the best I have heard from these testimonials, he asked all the questions that ran from my mind at the the best moment. Thank you to all who laboured to present these programs. 👏👏👏

[@Jerseyboondocks]

Thank you for mentioning the title of the book. I'm going to try to get it

[@janbartlett2128]

Such a beautiful lady. Great sense of humor and wise.

[@lourdesprudencio5647]

Totally agree,,,,

[@5dkauhanespiritualarts775]

Beautiful story..amazing lady..God bless

[@danielcic]

I saw plenty of videos of survivers and other stuff of the shoah foundation. Very impressive and I am amazed of these wonderful, brave, intelligent, worthy people (if I can tell this). What impresses me most is that after the tremendous horror, many people have studied how admirably they lead their lives, what good development their lives took after 1945 despite the terrible experiences.

[@janetblanc7658]

The amazing thing is that any of the survivors I have listened to show no bitterness towards their torturers. Such character, such courage.

[@chenry1279]

What a sweet creative spirit. This interview was considerably different from others because the interviewer lead so much of the reflecting. Despite some inane questions, Helen was so gracious. Her testimony about being ordered to give up pets early on, her recognition of the "grace of God" in intervene in so many specific ways (control lines in Birkenau), her different "angels" sent at needed times, and the humanity of a few German soldiers made this a most valuable interview.

[@doranconroy5107]

I agree wholeheartedly! The Interviewer did a MASTERFUL job ! Leading Helen into recalling what must truly be an endless amount of truly important memories.

[@suorman]

@@doranconroy5107 I agree too, the interviewer was excellent

[@constancewalsh3646]

With what beautiful, heartfelt language the survivors describe their parents, their siblings. their houses and details of rooms, windows, streets. The games they played as children, feelings of safety and warmth in the security of sober, caring families. Especially the loving words towards parents, the dignity and devotion of husband and wife, their sane raising of children. It helps me understand how the young people were able to bear so much - they had strong physical and spiritual foundations. Even as the stories begin with healthy normal living at the start of the video, I know what will come. If a friend were to ask why I am doing this - "you're not even Jewish!"- it is a deep desire to honor these men and women, their lives, their speaking when invited to because it is so important. What courage it has taken, especially for those who may have sworn never to revisit that hell. We bear witness to them, the tellers of what was unimaginable and which could happen still today despite our protests that it could not. I am humbled by their lives.

[@rescuepetsrule6842]

I am so glad Helen not only survived, she also had a full life, living until she was 93. As for the Jews being forced to give up their beloved pets, it doesn't surprise me- just another way to make them suffer. I have a house full of pets and I am having health problems like most Disabled Vets. I urge people to make plans for where their pets can go if they suddenly die or end up in a hospital for a long time. They would all suffer if they were suddenly to end up in a cage at the shelter; a couple of them would actually be better off being Euthanized. PLAN AHEAD... SALUTE Helen!

[@rescuepetsrule6842]

@leeuwin1962 You missed the point-purposely it seems just to be rude. Whatever I go through for my pets it IS worth it.

[@carlajung1172]

A courageous woman

[@aracellycontreras8757]

What a fascinated and love story it should be make into a movie. She was born to be brave and after all she went through she was able to excel in all the areas of her life. God bless you and your family Dear Mrs. Helen Lewis. Thank you very much for sharing your amazing story💟🙏🙏🙏

[@owentube2970]

Very good testimony

[@mr.hitchens]

46k views, no likes? I'm confused, technical glitch I'm sure. On a more important point, thank you for this message to future generations. Your warmth and joy of life shone through. Shalom.

[@Jerseyboondocks]

It's the channel they can make the decision not to have any of the likes counted and be shown... I suspect the channel changed it when also the dislikes showed so there was a function where you can just shut that off so that you won't see likes or dislikes.

[@mr.hitchens]

@@Jerseyboondocks You're very kind. Makes more sense now. I'm more of a book person (hence the nickname) and your answer clears my concerns. Thank you & be well.

[@lauramclay9954]

A beautiful soul ❤

[@luciacurtis2381]

I'm so enjoying listening to all these stories. It's super that the interviewer is also heard so clearly. What a lovely, lovely lady 😍 thank you so very much

[@rebeccareed6824]

What a delightful lady.

[@rebelbelle62]

When she said " But you know of course who Harry was," he didn't ask her he just repeated what he'd already asked and she'd answered. He lost an opportunity to find out who Harry was. I would love to know.

[@tamarak.8800]

Harry was her second husband which she dated at school before she meat the first husband.

[@nataliesharif7543]

I have never heard mention of pets being taken away during the time. I love that she was thoughtful to mention this because I know it had to be a terrible heartbreak. Just awful😔 there would be no reason for a law like this except to just be as cruel as possible.

[@juliaturner6658]

Good point. I have heard a few female survivors tell about having to give up their dogs and this in and of itself was heartbreaking as the survivors were still with their families. 🖤🥲

[@laurap.5804]

what a nice sweet lady!!!

[@Daisy-tl2lh]

it is so important we listen to and understand what happened to the generation who went through the holocaust and ask ourselves why ... for those who think to single out a group of people who are not like us but who are just like us for persecution and that a holocaust can never again are wrong because it has happened again and it will continue happening ... Helen Lewis thank you, you were a lady of much dignity may you now rest peacefully with your family having walked your path here on earth.

[@kikcta]

an extraordinary woman

[@christinekilcomons5805]

Yes, she is extraordinary. The one constant throughout almost all of these testimonies is their superior command of the English language. These are very intelligent people.

[@suorman]

@@christinekilcomons5805 I am amazed and mesmerised at the articulate and intelligent use of the English language. This lady is one superior human being.😊

[@emanuelaturco4633]

She telling this story as she lived it brilliantly, a lot to learn from her and the rest of holoucaust survivers, it demonstrates where there is a will there is a way to do anything you want with your life, despite the mass of suffering they been trhough in their prime childhood.

[@Gkuljian]

Oh my god. It's like a scene out of a movie. Dancing in a concentration camp. Unbelievable. It makes me weep.

[@laura-loves-god]

I have watched a few of these testimonies and they are so important, I would love to watch more, but the sound quality of the person being interviewed is so poor. Such a shame.

[@noirhorror197]

Helen's story should be made in to a movie.

[@utapao74]

Free book in PDF format can be read online or downloaded: www.windowview.org/download/jesuswasajew.pdf

[@pamneff7541]

Bravo

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

GOD BLESS HIS “special” ppl. (5/0/2018).

[@kellybourque5391]

Ms. Lewis you are Beautiful, Thankyou for your Testimony. Rest In Peace . God Bless you

[@majorcynic]

All of these testimonies are amazing, but this is among the most comprehensive and moving ones. The strange split personalities of the SS is surprising and yet, at the same time, predictable. The total control that they had could manifest either way - they could choose that you die, or grant you your life. The other thing was that people who were capable of such brutality were at the same time touched by art. It's a European thing - it's all around them from infancy. We Americans do not have the same relationship to the arts from birth. This one blew my mind, frankly.

[@WarandFlame]

Exactly my thoughts

[@sreckosx]

Beside this testimony, I listened to many others, too ... I suggest listening to USC Schoah ... : Slava Fintel (Cymer) - extreme what she went thru ... Shoshana Kahn - in Liepaja - Liebau Thomas Blatt - Sobibor Revolt survivor

[@majorcynic]

@@sreckosx I have seen the Thomas Blatt and the one with Shoshana Kahn. They are all priceless. I was just particularly struck by this one. I'm sure I commented on others as well!

[@sreckosx]

​@@majorcynic Hi, yes, they are really something ... I recomend to watch Slava Fintel, that is a special Story ... I mean at one point she came out of a mass grave, full of blood completely, and outside was freezing, so the blood froze on her, then she came to a polish House somewhere in the fields middle of nowwhere, and as a polish woman opened the door - that was in the night, she thought the devil stands in front of her - because Slava had mixed hair full of Blood and it stood like the horns of devil - and she was completely RED ... I mean, what - WHAT that poor peole went thru because of one self called artist, who was as artist not interesting at all. Greetings !

[@summern8041]

CC! LOUDER!

[@Jerseyboondocks]

Okay boss and master

[@mercyrn35]

I know the interviewer was trying to get a very detailed picture of the survivor’s story but his questions made the interview choppy. Still very powerful testimony nevertheless.

[@janetblanc7658]

The interviewers voice is so deadpan, no emotion and his questions are somewhat strange.

[@j_muller]

NVTV also have a documentary about her that is less than half an hour. "I remember the holocaust: Helen Lewis" www.nvtv.co.uk/shows/i-remember-the-holocaust-helen-lewis/ her biography (Helen Lewis- A time to Speak) is also available on Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Speak-Helen-Lewis/dp/0856408557/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=helen+lewis&qid=1559723754&s=gateway&sr=8-1

[@j_muller]

Also available www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Speak-Helen-Lewis/dp/0786700688/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/257-0207206-1292337?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0786700688&pd_rd_r=f21682ca-876c-11e9-b2ec-2dae480217cb&pd_rd_w=5bC7x&pd_rd_wg=x6kPy&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=33C52G21A66NZEANTTWN&psc=1&refRID=33C52G21A66NZEANTTWN

[@deborahdean8867]

Wow, she sure was lucky.

[@basialaufman6365]

been listening for a while and have to mention that the brakes for changing tape are horribly & astonishly long, why so??

[@Jerseyboondocks]

In the 1990s, the most long that you could record on a video tape was around 30 minutes and our tapes most of the time wouldn't even go that far. You have to remember they just didn't have the technology back then that they have now. It was a mess. The same thing happened to us when we had cassette tapes and VHS tapes and recorded on them.

[@Jerseyboondocks]

All you have to do is fast forward that part since KZbin does give you the function to fast forward very easily

[@dicey8928]

I'm scottish and I find German accent easy maybe because I have Faroese granny its the acht burger nines

[@lourdesprudencio5647]

What does, acht burger nines mean ...

[@zachary9294]

Tape ends before story. Pity

[@patriciabracken7546]

Why is he asking about the colour decor.

[@dawnitalutz1953]

I agree. His line of questioning is rather off. For example, "Did you enjoy being a housewife?" I mean just get on with it!!!

[@faithdavis4453]

She is so cute.

[@neshama44]

Love that story about Yom Kippour

[@markwest6514]

Can anyone tell me what Helen says at around 53:07 (majority of the way through the second tape)? At that point in the video, she describes the time in Prague when she threw Harry (her future husband) out of her apartment because he told her she couldn't follow her dance passion if she were ever to come to live in the town where he lived because it was "socially unacceptable". She says, "I went on and on and on about [can't understand]". The "can't understand" part is obviously something about the passion Helen has for dance, but I can't make it out. My underlying purpose is: I'm just trying to transcribe Helen's interview because I find it extremely fascinating and uplifting (yes, I know she published a book, but I like to transcribe oral history). My transcription is saved in a private git repository, but I would be glad to share it publicly with anyone who is interested, especially if you can help answer my question above. Thank you!

[@gbk1t]

Mark West She may have been saying Mayerová Milca Mayerova’s dance school in Prague.

[@markwest6514]

@@gbk1t thank you, I'll give another listen.

[@nailayasser3842]

Michael Longley mentioned her in his poem "A Linen Handkerchief". Was she embroidering quilts or handkerchiefs?

[@doranconroy5107]

FANTASTIC! My question though is WHO IS HARRY? During her telling of her first boyfriend she asks the interviewer " And you know who Harry was..." And gives a Knowing Glance. HE MISSES it completely and changes subjects! WHO WAS HARRY ?Ahahahahah I'll never sleep !

[@anamargarida4100]

Harry was a childhood friend, who became her husband in the future.

[@doranconroy5107]

@@anamargarida4100 I saw that later in the film ! Wasnt that a sweet part of the story? It made me cry ~! Thanks for posting this though as I watched it in the beginning I thought we would never find out !

[@anamargarida4100]

@@doranconroy5107 Indeed! I read the book, and i can tell that it's even more beautiful

[@doranconroy5107]

@@anamargarida4100 Thank you! Can you tell me the name of the Book? I can look on Amazon and see if I can order it. This woman's story is phenomenal!

[@anamargarida4100]

@@doranconroy5107 Sure! "A Time to Speak"

[@vivdoolan6846]

Why do they do three introductions and make the person spell out their name when it's already on the board?

[@Jerseyboondocks]

That's the only thing that you could comment on about this? Everything is spelled out for historical purposes

[@janetblanc7658]

Some of his questions are so silly

[@dicey8928]

Why does the interviewer 😫 miserable

[@faithdavis4453]

Some of the questions are ridiculous.

[@janetblanc7658]

Agreed

[@louisianagrandma9787]

Not judging, just wonder why her little classmates with no shoes weren't helped by others.

[@lizvlx]

people at that time often did not want charities by richer people - but - i am sure they probably did get hand me downs over time, but they started school without proper clothes/shoes.

[@MonicaM444]

This is an oral history of her experience. When she is not here to talk now, we have her memories. I appreciate all she says-Even the question of the color of decor. It helps to put a picture in your mind, if you are imagining it.

[@zulmabontiffe487]

This one interview has too many breaks!!

[@Jerseyboondocks]

Back in the 1990s video tapes only had about 30 minutes on each tape and you would have to change and get a new one. Maybe you don't know about the old technology, but if you were an adult back then you should remember how it was

[@Danarchy3]

When she gave her date of birth I heard 1960. I was like uhhh wait a minute

[@sewcool132]

B

[@alonsosevilla2301]

The nonchalant january gully skip because lettuce accordingly pretend to a glib ray. weak, drunk weather

[@janetblanc7658]

??

[@janetblanc7658]

Que quiere decir?

[@Jerseyboondocks]

Pardon? Huh

[@pamneff7541]

Bravo