Jewish Survivor Irma Meyer | USC Shoah Foundation

You are watching Irma Meyer, a Jewish Holocaust survivor. To learn more about Irma and explore the stories of other Holocaust survivors and witnesses, visit vhaonline.usc.edu.
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[@lauriejames9144]

As a former social worker and psychotherapist, I had imagined this was a social worker interviewing Irma Mayer. I was sorely disappointed in her need to get facts in a rather cold voice. Irma was a delightful person to interview. She survived God bless her.

[@robinnickel413]

The interviewer does have an assertive style, but I think there is a need to get the details so those who were lost can be formally documented. Ideally the information (locations, cities, good Samaritans, military events) can be cross referenced so families can begin to document the paths and deaths of lost loved ones. Another reason is to document the barbarians such as the teacher Fritz Uhl mentioned in this video. Why when you Google his name, nothing appears? If these interviews are transcribed and public, future generations can benefit by finding the videos and/or transcripts so all can be accounted for and held accountable.

[@RD-0101]

​@@robinnickel413 It was about her cold voice,not about getting informations. No interviewer should have a cold voice,ever,when interviewing Holocaust survivors.

[@adambrocklehurst4211]

Then you'll understand the dangers of projection. As a historian recording the facts for posterity she had to remain dispassionate, you can't influence the answers. This wasn't made for your entertainment, that we are seeing it now is a remarkable honour, nor is it therapy, I imagine such a intelligent woman got that elsewhere.

[@MatMat-qi2rd]

I haven't noticed a 'cold' tone on the interviewer's voice. 'Cold' / 'warm' can be the result of personal interpretations. I find her kind and respectful 👌

[@lisaottomann2396]

Well, why are they so concerned of the town names? I have no clue or will remember these names anyways… I don’t get it, these interviewers are very cold n robotic.

[@drohegda]

Thank You Irma for sharing Your memories,, though painful to be recorded in history to keep generation's informed.

[@lesliebrown5312]

The finest and most educational testimonies are those when the survivors experiences can flow without interruptions but we're all human.

[@wendyhannaford7696]

Lovely woman! Her personality came through and really enjoyed listening to her!

[@ritamanning467]

Rest in peace, Mrs. Meyer. I am so glad to know that you went on to have a wonderful life and a loving family!

[@stephaniealexander3314]

Rita Manning God Bless ....amazingly soo many of them do!!!👍🕊✨💖

[@mariatmencia982]

Rita Manning w

[@zxy78267]

When did she pass away?

[@hollykacz1958]

Thank you for sharing this sad but informative testimony. Thank you to the Shoah foundation for making these testimonies to be saved and shown to future generations.

[@sandiebroomfield6245]

Thank you elegant , brave lady for sharing the horror of your story with such grace and dignity. . Sending love and gratitude to all of you.

[@jewels7151]

This lady is a wonderful narrator of her history and very eloquent.

[@howardmanley3388]

So wonderful...such a blessing to hear her words, and are now documented for all to see and hear...for generations to come....

[@seemarajderkar3019]

The interviewer, Ms. Shulamit Bastacky sounds more like a stern policewoman interrogating a suspect !!! I did not like the way she was questioning....her very dry, very strict, sort of heartless attitude. But Ms. Irma Meyer was very softspoken, decent and gentle lady. Her lifestory is heart wrenching !! I was sad to know that she is no more. Rest in eternal peace Ms.Irma Meyer. You will always remain in my thoughts.

[@0scJohnson0]

It’s just ignorance to make characterizations based on how you think someone sounds

[@MarkEliasGrant]

@@0scJohnson0 She should NOT have been selected to interview people who are survivors then. People who may be traumatized should not have to deal with someone barking questions at them.

[@0scJohnson0]

@@MarkEliasGrant it didn’t bother the person being interviewed. Your faux outrage over an invented travesty is your problem.

[@MarkEliasGrant]

@@0scJohnson0 So rudeness is socially acceptable because you used magic powers to infer that the person being interviewed was fine with it? Sounds like your problem for not understanding that appropriate social skills and polite behavior is important. Wrong.

[@lusio2515]

@@MarkEliasGrant I don't think it's rude, that's the protocol to not have much responses or feedback from the interviewers rather than to just let all the recollections and content of the testimony be from the survivors. I can understand it seems rude but that's probably the protocol based on it being the standard in all these testimonies.

[@intuitivegoddess1525]

Bless her. She is so strong. Can't even imagine the atrocities comitted.

[@kerielfbrooke825]

How sad that this lovely lady makes the effort to give her testimony and the interviewer sniffles her way through it and shows no warmth or empathy, and is very rough on Irma. Such a pity. This lady deserved better.

[@mileshirson246]

amazing story. this woman is adorable I'm so happy she was comfortable in her older age

[@elhombredeoro955]

Wow you are paler than me.

[@valeriejohnson9523]

This interview woman sounds very harsh. My word! Mrs Meyer seems so nice. She is no longer with us I know, but her testimony lives on. Thank you so much.

[@dougstyles5091]

Classy ,determined lady. God bless her courage and integrity.

[@deniseb.5883]

Another remarkable woman with an equally remarkable life story. How wonderful she met her husband and has a loving family. Nothing ever replaces those who have perished but to be able to live on and have a happy life filled with love is a tribute to those family members.

[@xelakram]

Such a delightful lady! R.I.P. Mrs. Meyer.

[@emmaburgess4320]

The interviewer sounds like an interrogator!!! I’m so sorry for the sweet lady giving her testimony..

[@maryrosed8475]

A lot of the interviewers are dreadful. They have ruined some of these very interesting interviews. This interviewer is particularly bad.

[@ginacoghlan217]

These events are so horrific. God Bless the Jewish people. No one has suffered as much. Thank you for your story. We must never forget this terrible time in history so it’s never repeated anywhere.

[@howardmanley3388]

This women has a very good memory she speaks very confidently yet poised , great English, her demeanor is magnificent, they couldn’t have picked a better person to interview... The interviewer is a different story not so great....

[@debclosser2815]

Wonderful testimony!! Danke! The interviewer did an excellent job of not interrupting and letting the lady tell her story. God bless the Jewish people !

[@annewalker9221]

Deb Closser 🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@terryfordjr76]

Deb Closser either I've missed sarcasm or we were listening to two different interviewers. Several have compared the interviewer to the gestapo.

[@twinklestar111888]

I don't think that the interviewer meant to sound harsh. English is obviously not her first language and her job is to keep someone on track and ask the hard questions without getting emotional or making it about themselves. I can't imagine having to interview multiple people with such horrifying histories.

[@luvgingham]

I agree with you.

[@WildThings113]

autumndee88 ,,it’s not hard to show an ounce of compassion.

[@hilaryc3203]

@@WildThings113 I've heard a couple who were so rude, barking their interrogation at elderly people, that I wanted to slap them. Horrid people. You're right, kindness is natural and easy and if you can't hear it, it probably doesn't exist.

[@shortscenes9338]

Agreed.

[@christinepoynter5810]

You're right

[@chrissims3810]

Thank you for your testimony.

[@slewvian]

A blessed woman. thank God you were able to get out before this Holocaust began and never knew the horrors that was going on there. Rip Irma. thanks for being able to tell your story.and yes we must never forget the Holocaust. no matter how many years pass. Amen.

[@margretrussell3997]

Thank you for sharing a loveky lady RIP

[@desertbreeze69]

You can tell how troubled she was over finding out what happened because she keeps saying, I didn’t know. How tragic that whole situation was.

[@meacadwell]

It looks like she passed away in 2006. I hope she rests in peace!

[@helencoven]

I’m sure she will rest in peace!what a wonderful lady she seemed!so glad we can watch these testimonies!🙏🏻🌸❤️🇮🇱

[@kathydaddeo8947]

You are so sweet and beautiful. I would have been honored to have you for a friend. Thank you for sharing your testimony with us. The world must never forget what happened.

[@stephaniealexander3314]

Kathy D'Addeo ABSOLUTELY WE MUST NEVER EVER FORGET!🙏🕊✨AMEN

[@lou6012]

Amazing woman, so beautifully spoken so brave, to travel the world on her on during war, wow! So classy, wish I could have meet her!

[@zxy78267]

This is a wonderful interview. I'm glad that she met her husband and was able to enjoy the rest of her life. The love between her and her husband is very sweet.

[@santi7470]

shes SOOOO RIGHT. Watch for the signs- it CAN happen again....sadly

[@hard-truthsbetter-than-swe6543]

it all starts with name calling...

[@stephaniealexander3314]

Monica Sanchez It’s sadly still going on... I was counting small change to use and get rid of it...and someone I knew called me a “cheap Jew”..... I no longer considered him a friend.

[@WildThings113]

Stephanie Alexander ,,, Good for you ,that’s certainly no friend.

[@user-xp4jr1mq8t]

@@stephaniealexander3314 Absolutely agree with you here. I'd refuse to be friends with people like this, too. He was never your friend in the first place if he thinks it's okay to say that to you. I also find it weird how some individuals will still want to associate with a person even when they know that he/she is a member of some kind of group that they don't like or respect.

[@beckyallen3771]

Thank you Mrs. Meyer! Your account of this horrific period in history is so important. I am so thankful for the way you bring your story to life, with the rich details of everyday life in your childhood, your family and your town. You are a blessing to your family and the world! During this interview I could sense the woman conducting it was moved during Mrs. Meyers story. A commentator below thought she (interviewer) was harsh, this lady just had a heavy accent.❤️

[@jeannineholley1762]

cannot listen . . . so sorry Irma, God bless your memory . . . hugs, J

[@dsmokeyd9517]

So sad makes me think about society today and what one man did to their country then our country can happen like that as well and I pray for all the ones in the struggles keep your Faith strong

[@michellecollins290]

Lexyy R it takes more than one man, compliance is a real danger for our future

[@TheAlmightyAss]

It wasnt just one man.

[@chitramoontarot]

Her father must have felt so bad for not getting out earlier

[@Jo-nr6vx]

At first I thought the interviewer was harsh, as many have commented, but as the it goes on to happier memories, you can hear her laugh with her and as tape ends, you can hear her become more animated. And english isn‘t her first language, I live in germany and they also sound harsh but they‘re mostly nice, just like everyone else. Great interview too!

[@adambrocklehurst4211]

It's something I've noticed in Central Europe, theres a certain directness that we English, a fairly polite race, struggle with.

[@kikcta]

very moving testimony

[@auntypam112]

I am an Indian from South Africa.what a soft spoken lady.that horrible women who is asking the questions has norespect for this poor women.she is like the Gestapo herself.is she a man or a women.i would like to know.cruel women.like her boss Hitler.disgusting.

[@jonasklingberg822]

What a robotic interviewer - bless her! :) And what possible reason could there be for pushing this brave woman for German translations of things like 'dirty Jew'!? That's just weird.

[@hilaryc3203]

She, like a few of them, were really unpleasant. They didn't interview, they interrogated.

[@Jayapullani]

@@hilaryc3203 - It is similar interview techniques in the UK capability to work assessments if you are sick.

[@hilaryc3203]

@@Jayapullani Which is the wrong way to interview anyone under any difficult circumstances. The interviewee was hardly sick. As a business person I have done my fair share of meetings with people where it was necessary to manage the questioning from a professional position without allowing emotions to interfere. It doesn't mean a person needs to be rude and obnoxious. This interviewer wasn't too bad, but several I watched were horrendous; barking at the survivors like little tin dictators. Not everyone is cut out to deal with this sort of thing and those orchestrating the interviews should have chosen people better.

[@Jayapullani]

@@hilaryc3203 - Agree, I felt the interviewee coped very well here, obviously her lifetime experience but also later to present secure/positive family life supported meeting with this. I noticed her raise eyebrows a few times especially from the comment when the film was going to run out. I have found these interviews very interesting, moving and also inspiring in that most of the survivors who have shared their stories have managed to create reasonable lives for themselves and despite always with the memories of their loss and sadness carried in their hearts.

[@hilaryc3203]

@@Jayapullani When we survive pain, we grow stronger.

[@linrogers4326]

A wonderful lady. The way her husband looks at her at the end of the interview, true love. The perfect revenge.

[@jodeeprescott3825]

I loved this interview. Irma is so beautiful and genteel. She is blessed now with a great family and beautiful and handsome grandchildren. I enjoyed the interviewer and think she did an excellent job. I have heard hundreds of these interviews and I would rate this interviewer as amongst the best. I heard bits of the words she said to Irma just as they were breaking between tapes. I could tell that she had really good rapport with Irma. Thank you for this especially meaningful interview.

[@ursulaohalloran781]

The job of an interviewer is to allow the interviewee to tell her story. The less we hear from the interviewer the better for the flow of the story. Unfortunately this hasn't happened in this case. I became frustrated with the interruptions. However Irma had a powerful story to tell.

[@elisabethmiller5412]

Irma Meyer is adorable, but I didn't like the interviewing style of the interviewer. Constant interruptions in a loud voice (drowning out Irma's much softer voice) when Irma was trying to tell her story. No need for it as Irma was very articulate and some of the questions were unnecessary as Irma had already provided the information. I've watched 20 videos - none of the other interviewers were like this one.

[@ln8601]

very moving

[@karenembury6467]

For goodness sake what a sweet lovely lady but the none stop interrupting from the interviewer is cold , unnecessary , a woman to full of herself . Why not just let her tell her story

[@StephenGrew]

Lovely person, she has known such joy and it's opposites.

[@lizgichora6472]

Thank you.

[@59tante]

Thanks for sharing.

[@holliebrokaw3716]

Is it possible to find a transcript for this interview?

[@emmaburgess4320]

What an idiot interviewer .. where did they find such people .. I’m sorry for you to have to be interviewed by such a harsh person ! God bless you and your family ..

[@throughmyeyes9940]

some (many) of the questions were meaningless to the subject

[@2011birch]

I cant stand the interviewers aggressive tone. Horrible thing :(

[@christinefougere1444]

British Columbia is part of Canada, which at that time was a Dominion of the UK Canada declared war on Germany in September 1939 so she would have been considered an enemy alien in Canada.

[@roozbehkhaligh5295]

Is the interviewer, interrogating her!

[@maryh7313]

Some of these testimonies are so difficult I am sure to tell and to listen to but it is important not to let their stories die with time....this horror of the holocaust must be remembered and not repeated!

[@cindyhalpern3187]

What a nice couple! I can tell they are happily married for 50 years!

[@cherylmccarthy2932]

Mrs. Meyer is a wonderful speaker. I am so sorry for her loss. The interviewer, however, has a very HARSH ROBOTIC voice and appears to be INTERROGATING Mrs. Meyer rather than interviewing her. I cannot adequately describe how disruptive this interviewer was asking UNNECESSARY questions, hundreds of unnecessary questions.

[@cmariah80]

What the hell is going on with the interviewer? Why would he keep asking how did they know you were Jewish? Only Jews had to show the travel documents so of course they would know.

[@donnaeve6084]

A lovely gentle woman 'interrogated' by a harsh interviewer!

[@tobiasbrown1882]

+donnaeve She seems kind enough to me. Please.

[@chloemattivi3051]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@katherinebyron2177]

donnaeve - while the interviewer seemed a tad short, I'm thinking it may have been this person's style to try to get Ms. Meyer to remember or perhaps focus, she does seem to wander just a bit, which is normal for most people of a certain age.

[@darleenhumphrey7461]

Thank you

[@IvorGrumble]

Is the interviewer a decendent of an SS Officer or something lol.

[@howardmanley3388]

Ivor Grumble very much so...

[@yvonnegrassi2701]

I was thinking the same thing.!! He sounds like an interragator.!!

[@theresaholguin699]

Ivor Grumble l was thinking that same thing

[@johnforeman634]

What an incredible woman.

[@alasdairmackenzie5832]

Irma you where the most elegant lady.rest in peace . You are now with your family God bless you must say your interviewer was horrible hope she never got another job

[@WildThings113]

Alasdair Mackenzie ,,agreed!

[@chitramoontarot]

She needs to stop interrupting

[@Pattiepies55]

Horrendous interviewer. She's a brash, insensitive person. Ms. Meyer is a joy to listen to .

[@RD-0101]

What a lovely lady!

[@adelmastarnes1482]

These interviews were done by volunteers. These were not done by professional cinematographers and interviewers

[@EnglishVirgo]

It's interesting to me, that so many viewers found this interviewer to be not so great and a bit harsh. I often find that the interviewers can be harsh and make it harder to listen fully to the testimonies. But I didn't find that with this one. Yes, she has a more straight to the point manner, but I didn't find her to be rude or overly harsh.

[@stephaniesanchez2057]

I wish they would have interviewed non jewish children from those times and how things changed for them and how their parents became nazis and just everything

[@Gkuljian]

Many examples of collective ego. It's one of the worst things on Earth. This will happen over and over until each of us takes control of our conscious; stops thinking and judging; and begins living in the present moment. I used to think that was all hokus pokus, but not anymore.

[@shortscenes9338]

She's an unusually nice person. The interviewer is OK, too. She's a nice person. So I do not understand all the criticism of her. She has a throaty voice, but it's not unpleasant.

[@itiswhatitis8772]

My aunt is married 2 a jewish man. He's so sweet o often want to talk about the holacaust. But I'm afraid he may think why am I bringing this up.

[@yvonnegrassi2701]

So what?? If he likes talking about it then you might as well ask some questions like an interviewer would do.!!

[@dougstyles5091]

Guarantee the interviewer is sitting there ,arms crossed,tooth pick in the mouth,shiny boots,with a 5 lb loaf of bread .

[@davidauflick2694]

It's called hopscotch!!!!

[@Ana-sk4wx]

The interviewer is an interrogator. Not an interviewer.😮

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

I am shocked at the ignorance and rudeness of most interviewers in this series. Given the horrors the survivors went through, the interviewers should be more prepared, educated and sympathetic. Unjustifiable!

[@uvjekneko6863]

Why did all these people change their names?? One thing their parents gave them, and what they do, they Change it?! Horrible, I would never do that!!

[@yvonnegrassi2701]

To protect themselves.!! And yes you would do it if it meant your life in war times.!!

[@uvjekneko6863]

@@yvonnegrassi2701 I’m a war survivor! They changed their names after the war, when they came to America and yes I would do it if it meant life saving but this is different😌

[@filmsbynix]

People changed their names to survive economically eg people wouldn't hire you just based on your name if they held antisemitic views even post war

[@pliny8308]

This interviewer never heard of hopscotch?

[@tamarschilgi5744]

I went to read about the interviewer, she was born in Lithuania and spend the first three years of her life in hiding from the nazis in a nun's cellee. She reunited with her parents after world War 2 ended, her family moved to Poland, then to Israel then to the US, she is a social worker.

[@StephenGrew]

Grace

[@limoreperetzwoloshin8860]

The interviewer is lacking in knowledge and sensivity

[@rivergardener1]

I have watched many of these and this was the worst interviewer. I enjoyed hearing Irma’s life story but was put off by the jarring tone the interviewer used with her.

[@hilaryc3203]

This one and several others I've heard, were rude and disrespectful, barking like hardened interrogators. For many of these interviews family is present, off camera, and were I in their position I would have given her a good verbal shredding and requested for a replacement.

[@clc7763]

Nobody's perfect

[@gyorgyakos9618]

Interviewer: "What kind of cartoons were there in this paper called 'Der Stürmer'? Was it a national paper?" Really what was it like? Have you heard about Julius Streicher?

[@emmaburgess4320]

The interviewer should be shamed by everyone!!

[@nancyswirsky9061]

This is such a sweet woman. The interviewer is terrible.

[@patriciacabrera3101]

Lovely woman...but how could she leave her parents😢

[@user-zv6yb9oo1p]

30 minutes into the interview where Irma talks about Hitler, hatred against jews and people's attitude and behaviour towards jews... I somehow think of USA.

[@WildThings113]

Stephanie Alexander ,,,Yes, the indoctrination in the schools is REAL..

[@taylorj6177]

You would think a university in the most educated state in the country would have more efficient sound mechanisms, i.e., we can barely hear what our interviewee is saying... Tis a shame!

[@sueannebrown2709]

After l check the comments I decide if I will listen or not. Decided not to because of the comments on the interviewer. Please be more selective about the interviewer 😬

[@Iamjamiecatoe]

This interview has an extreme lack of empathy

[@adambrocklehurst4211]

I'm sure it's not the woman's she sounds so harsh, you must understand that people from central and eastern Europe can be very direct.

[@user-qo1rw3et4h]

I think this was a very sweet lady but the interview was not so great. I really did feel this lady was a sweet soul. ANNE. ABRAHAM❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@meghanfraser1728]

when she talked about her school day, my stomach pained for this little girl. As far as i am concerned, anyone who mistreats a child is a monster and should be behind bars.

[@clc7763]

Its the far left you have to watch out for since 2008

[@erinlevere6881]

The interviewer seem to be trying to humiliate her

[@sonakshikalia2019]

The interviewer is awful and extremely incapable of handling interviews with such sensitive topics.

[@johannamcleane5759]

You are right

[@chitramoontarot]

What is that weird noise coming from the interviewer..

[@auntypam112]

The interviewer is like a Gestapo !

[@WildThings113]

Pamala Schorn ,yes!

[@59tante]

Brain game still go on

[@lornatipa7545]

She’s very eloquent but the interviewer is terrible!

[@johannamcleane5759]

You are correct about the interviewer, very harsh

[@taylorj6177]

"Did you APPLY-EEE??!"