Jewish Survivor Norbert Bikales Testimony Part 1 | USC Shoah Foundation

[@gregor74gm61]

I don’t want to sound improper or selfish, but I learn more historical facts listening such kind of life stories than any books I have read in schools and in my life so far. This is great job brining all these records from tapes to YT, that whole world can have access to. All the best to Mr Norbert and his family, and Shoah organization.

[@eddybikales7398]

Not selfish at all!

[@wendyhannaford7696]

Oh I just adore him, how wonderful to listen to him tell about what happened! I am so thankful he shared this part of his life with us! Intelligent, wonderful personality and he remembers so many details, and also to have some photos that survived! I hope he had a wonderful life after the War, so glad he survived and his Mother got him out of Poland

[@saradastrickman6406]

He had an absolutely Fantastic life after the war! My grandparents were close friends of his... fascinating man

[@eddybikales7398]

I can confirm -- they had a fantastic life, on the outside. The weight of their childhoods was never full lifted, however, and there was, and is, some deep seated fears and resentments that have followed them and come out at odd times.

[@josebarberena9564]

In all the interviews I've had the honor to watch, I have not seen ONE interviewee who has not been a humble, wonderful human being more than willing to tell their stories which would make a great book every single time. All of them are examples of courage and lovers of life and an inspiration to us who really see the value of their story which they present as a gift the opportunity to not only learn about the microcosmos of their individual lives within a scheme of the most brutal event the world has ever witnessed but also the wonderful opportunity to a change in perspective in the way we sometimes view life and our own hardships. To me they are not victims. They are victorious people. I really appreciate the availability of these videos and I recommend them to anyone I know who will, like me, appreciate them. Thank you.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you for your kind words, Jose, from Norbert's son. Norbert is 92 and still in good spirits!

[@brittanydehaan9019]

@@eddybikales7398 Please if he is still living tell your father how much I appreciated and enjoyed his story. I love his sense of humor and his determination. And bless his parents for letting him go. What a brave selfless act. I have 2 children, my daughter is 9, and I cannot imagine this pain. But it saved his life. That is true love. Thank him for sharing. It was very moving for me.

[@dianahamilton4883]

He's such an articulate, intelligent and pleasant man. Thank you Norbert for your testimony, God bless you.

[@bonniehanson1105]

If Mr, Bakalis has passed, it is now 2019....I want his children to know that even with his harrowing story, I smiled so much with his telling of the good stories. A wonderful man.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you so very much Bonnie. I'm happy to say my father is 92 and still going strong! Very kind of you to share these sentiments.

[@Imagoodn]

@@eddybikales7398 Thank you for letting us know. Wishing your father, all who love him, and all whom he loves good health, safety, and peace. ✌🏼💪🏼🙏🏼

[@karendiane]

@@eddybikales7398 - thank you for answering and letting us know that your dad, age 92 still alive. I am reading your reply here in January 2022. My heart is breaking imaging being only 10 years old and seeing your parents on earth for the last time :(

[@ljm1094]

I am happy to know that your father lived a long life, and shared his fascinating story! Sending love and respect from Bermuda. What an exceptional man!

[@ClintonCaraway]

@@eddybikales7398 I hope he is still living life to the fullest and enjoying every day. This was the best interview I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

[@PaulSanxhez]

What a generous-hearted individual. I became emotional as he talked about saying farewell to his parents. 😢

[@pliny8308]

Mr. Bikalis is a man with great social skills, a lovely smile, and a positive attitude who made friends wherever he went. People like that are more likely to survive, as are people who are intelligent and brave, which Mr. Bikales is. It was a privilege to listen to his story.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you! I'll read this to my father.

[@jeanhenderson1277]

Such a kind caring gentleman with an infectious smile, as horrible his young life was I was enthralled listening to his testimony I’m praying he’s in good health and wish both he and his wife a happy anniversary next month xx

[@eddybikales7398]

He's still kicking. 72 years married! Thank you for your kind words!

[@jeanhenderson1277]

@@eddybikales7398 thank you for letting me know x

[@fada7903]

@@eddybikales7398 What a blessing! Delighted to hear Mr. Bikales is living a good life. Wishing him and his family much happiness and love.

[@suellenandrews8024]

So happy to hear that such a lovely, humorous man is still alive. Wishing you more happy years with your cherished family Mr. Bakalis.

[@shaunalea823]

Such a lovely man i believe his parents would be proud of the man he turned out to be. Thankyou sir for sharing your testimony, much respect, love, and appreciation to you.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you Saunalea, from his son.

[@Fitzfarmlaois]

Fantastic man ❤ deeply hurt , but so positive and warm. A genuine good human. Amazing story mr Bakalis . Love from Ireland

[@believergurl5423]

What a wonderful, honorable man. I am blessed to find this video and get to know him via this medium. I pray you and your family are blessed.

[@kusskuss111]

Omg what a story. Thank u for sharing. Love the twinkle in his eyes. I cried i laughed and i have so much respect for who he is and the choices he made. Never taking the easy way out. ❤️❤️❤️

[@gs-xx8uv]

What an intelligent, articulate and charming man.

[@louisemurray2461]

"I Was 10yrs old,That was the last time I saw My Parents" So many Brave Parents trusting their children to Fate to save them! X Thousands of Them! X Their Final Sacrifices! Unbelievable! Should Never Be Forgotten!

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you Louise! From his son. He's still doing great at 92!

[@ЮляТитова-б4я]

@@eddybikales7398wow! lucky you to have such a fantastic father! God bless you and your family!

[@valpurves45]

lovely lovely man. resourceful and extremely brave.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you so much Valerie. From Norbert's son, Eddy. He's 92 and still smiling.

[@anitaclarke7085]

A very handsome guy .. love your smile and eyes ! Thank you for telling your story ! Much love and peace to you !

[@lambchop1960]

What a wonderful man. A blessing.

[@phyllisfleming7821]

I could listen to his stories for a long time!! What a gracious inspiring man.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you Phyllis, from his son, Eddy. He's now 93, I'll read him this comment!

[@suomisirkus6654]

What a story. Thank you for sharing this survivor testimony. I had tears in my eyes in parts of it, but he also made me smile. Greetings from Finland to you and your family.

[@news4usunshine]

Thanks for sharing your story Norbert. What an amazing life you have led, what an outstanding person you are, and how proud you should be of how you made the most of your opportunities. Your children are so fortunate to have had you for a father. I wish I had been even half that lucky.

[@eddybikales7398]

We're very fortunate (myself and my sister). Thank you for the kind comments. I'm sorry for whatever difficulties you endured.

[@cecilialiebenfelss8827]

What a brave man and with a smile .I hope he had afterwards a good life. Thank you for the for that testimony.Blessings for him and his family.😊

[@gaillamont9134]

This is such an interesting story . One of the best ! It’s hard to imagine all you went through at such a young age . Very touching and emotional . I can’t imagine what your parents went through waving good bye through the train window . You were so young , but it was your mothers courage to send you on a journey that was life saving , but you managed to dodge many situations that could have been fatal . After seeing the pics on part 2 , I was so very happy to hear your brother survived ! I can’t imagine the emotion you must have felt seeing him after the war . I once worked for a Dutch gentleman , a very nice man and he and his wife shared their stories about the war and how they suffered . They had to steal bread in order to survive or they would have starved to death . He could never forgive the Germans either. They emigrated to Canada and had a very successful business . It’s nice to see that you saw some humour along the way , I give you credit , it has a way of getting us through some really difficult times. Kudos to you on a very successful life , marriage , and children . ❤️

[@jayelliott564]

Such a pleasant man. It was a pleasure to listen to him! God bless him.

[@morilabelle7106]

What a wonderful gentleman, God Bless him

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you, Mori! From his son.

[@MichelleSchneidmann-no2gl]

I am the daughter of Holocaust Surveyors from Belgium 🇧🇪. Thanks for letting the world know

[@daivageeveerapen7337]

Mr Norbert Bikales gives the impression to be very emotionally powerful. The story is told at ease..

[@sailimulgaonkar5715]

His parents are sure proud of him, smiling from the heaven! Such a wonderful personality. I love his smile .

[@eddybikales7398]

Such a lovely thing to say! Thank you Saili. I'll read him this comment! He's now 93, my Mom is 90!

[@Yyyyyy5]

@@eddybikales7398 I hope your father knows his message is important and that younger people are still listening.

[@dorotagrodzka4742]

Mr. Bakalis and the family, thank you so much for sharing your story, it was was very touching and heartbreaking 💔. Sending love and blessings to all.

[@eddybikales7398]

I will let him know. He's my Dad, now 94. Thank you for your kind words.

[@carolblair5514]

​@@eddybikales7398 you must be very proud of him 💖

[@charlesparrish2831]

Eddie I’m sure you are very proud of your father.His life story should be a book for sure.

[@cherylmccarthy2932]

I have just completed watching Mr. Bikales’s testimony and am blessed to have had this opportunity. It is now November 22, 2020 and I don’t know if Mr. Bikales is still living but I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you so very much for sharing your testimony with me. You are a blessing Mr. Bikales and an inspiration sir. I also want to commend the interviewer for her gentle non obtrusive interview skills.

[@eddybikales7398]

His is still very much alive at age 93, and I will read him this lovely comments. Thank you! Eddy, his son

[@robbie_]

What a lovely, interesting man.

[@margaretroselle8610]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful testimony! Watching with much interest from New Zealand.

[@theresabraddock9310]

so many honest stories of innocence during trying times. another interviewer who kept stoic and emotionless and unpleasantly stopped a lighter childhood memory. Im so glad he could recall fun times and remain humorous amongst the ironic circumstances. 90% of these interviewrs wouldve been made Kapos in the camps for sure

[@StephenGrew]

What some people have endured is extraordinary.

[@eddybikales7398]

And after it was over, he thrived! Still does today at age 93! Thank you, from his son.

[@StephenGrew]

@@eddybikales7398 Wonderful!!

[@pliny8308]

The Swiss treat all foreigners without a lot of money like dirt. I'm Italian, and post war they sought Italian labor but in the 60s they had a whole political party which was anti-Italian, like the Know Nothings in the the U.S. in the 19th century. I was in Basel in the mid 70s and it was still going on among certain people. The postmaster screamed at me in a post office bkz I asked for help in Italian. Of course, Italian is one of the 3 national languages of Switzerland, but this was German Switzerland.

[@kikcta]

what a wonderful man

[@harrywilson404]

Wonderful story teller. A great perspe6on on life, must have been fun to be around!

[@eddybikales7398]

Still is! Age 93. Thank you for your kind comments. From his son, Eddy.

[@GermanAGPM]

Please tell him again! What an amazing standard from an intellectual and moral point of view. What a pleasure to listen to him. Loved the balance of humbleness and pride in narrating all he has accomplished. Just another proof of his intelligence, along with the sense of humour. Greetings from Spain

[@AaronOBryan60]

During watching his testimony, I looked him up..a accomplished man…Thank God he gave his testimony..

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you for your comment and looking him up! I'll read it to him. He's now 93, my Mom is 90.

[@16mimimo]

@@eddybikales7398 your dad totally captured me with his testimony, what a man!!!!! Be proud and cherish. Love from Hungary.

[@monikastak]

BRILLIANT man. Reminds me alot of Richard Gere WITH HIS HANDSOME LOOKS. SO VERY SORRY ABOUT THE FAMILY he lost. May he find some peace in his ♥

[@sineadmolloy4055]

Gorgeous interview

[@raycortopassi4030]

What a fascinating life story. A very tragic childhood but he eventually found happiness and success. Norbert est un homme très sympathique avec un bon sens de l'humour. Il raconte ses experiences d'une façon très interessante. Il devrait écrire ses mémoires. Thank you for sharing your life story.

[@eddybikales7398]

Merci beaucoup! From his son, Eddy. He's 93 now.

[@charlesparrish2831]

God Bless you Mr Bakalis🙏🙏🙏

[@AaronOBryan60]

He has such a kind face….

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you, from his son, Eddy. I'll read him this! Age 93 now.

[@AaronOBryan60]

@@eddybikales7398 …I’m honored…Thank him greatly for sharing his story…He seems like a very kind and strong man…My best to you all..

[@31Shanell]

One of the few to have innocence shone through. To grow up and not be bitter or angry in his telling. Beautiful soul! Thank you for sharing your life and losses and how to keep your heart alive and humor.

[@davanmani556]

I think his honesty comes through. I think that’s the whole point in these documentaries.

[@SusanKincaid-ri3sm]

He is a very nice man, with a wonderful sense of humor. He had be through so much in his childhood.

[@melissapollom427]

Mr. Bakalis was so interesting I was rivited to his story. What a life he led from age 10. You can tell the interviewer was riveted to his story. I'm so glad he told it to the workd.

[@sineadmolloy4055]

O my gosh....what a lovely man

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you! I'm his son and will read him your comment! He's now 94 and going strong.

[@chineainguanzo6341]

I simpatize with the courage of Jewish people ,I get mad when I hear person's who have not suffered 1% of what the Nazis did to Jewish families by the millions.the talk about their suffering all the time .their is no comparison !

[@charlesparrish2831]

Eddie Bikales your father is a great man!Please tell him Charles Parrish thanks him for this testimony.God bless him and you🙏Let us never ever forget🙏🙏🙏

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you. I'll read this to him.

[@enjoythemoment6596]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are most definitely a courageous, handsomely bright man of whom your parents will be proud of.

[@148ESTHER]

The interviewers were probably given a line of questions which they took literally instead of being somewhat creative. After listening to dozens of these testimonies, I almost wish they would let the survivors tell their stories without being interrupted. Those stories are too precious to be distracted by sometimes irrelevant questions or interruption. Also the lack of empathy in the tone of the interviewers is choking.

[@lexinoel7]

148ESTHER the thing that irks me is interrupting to ask how to spell names and asking to repeat names over and over again..retain the information haha it’s being recorded so chill! This interviewer didn’t do it that much with mr. Norbert but other interviews can get tedious with that.

[@louisemurray2461]

I do believe that many interviewes asked questions that were psychologically asked for in a certain way to bring forth memories that were buried many decades ago! So Well done to not truly retraumatise these witnesses ! I only hope that later atrocities from around the world are dealt with in this manner! This happened! In an Era that not many of Us remember! But should Never be Forgotten!

[@Mitzi1221]

@@lexinoel7 agree

[@bleacherz7503]

That seems to be the case

[@debbief9861]

What an amazing story. These videos are incredible.

[@StephenGrew]

Interesting that, that people treat the poor and unfortunate as somehow inferior, and some people still do. How circumstances can radically change for anyone, however prosperous one might be. This fact is a fundamental of Life, it's worth seriously keeping in mind! My grandfather always, said, there's always someone worst off than yourself.

[@JenniferJones-Cartier]

I was so hoping to see pictures

[@RamonaRayTodosSantosBCS]

What a wonderful positive man.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you Ramona! I'm his son, Eddy. He's 93, I'll read him this!

[@krisinla]

What a pleasant person... may he rest in peace.

[@Yyyyyy5]

He’s still alive and well.

[@eddybikales7398]

Reports of his death have been highly exaggerated.

[@greatmusicfan57]

WOW..What a great story. Everyone of these stories could be a movie! From a horrible time to TRIUMPH! God Bless these brave people...all of them.💕🙏🇺🇸🕎

[@esmevanzyl7198]

What an absolute gentleman. All respect to you Mr Bikales. My humble apologies that you had to suffer so emensly at the hand of evil doers

[@shivani41]

He could be, with the mother he describes, my twin. And he so far hasn't said it, as I pause so often to revel in his subtlety of wit, but naturellement, mama probably caused the family feuds with Mr. Bikales' father's sister, etc. Through unspeakable experiences, still this amazing man wins over a heart instantaneously, from his loving humor. A dream more than any dream, that of love.

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you so much! I will read him this, he's now 93. - Eddy, his son

[@romanavav6063]

Such a nice man...

[@zachary9294]

Excellent.

[@StephenGrew]

That's so brilliant, Des escargot avec Di vin rouge, formidables!!

[@eddybikales7398]

Merci!

[@StephenGrew]

Lovely bloke

[@eddybikales7398]

Thank you Stephen, from his son, Eddy.

[@carlagoncalves531]

Where is part 2

[@USCShoahFoundation]

Hello, Carla! Part 2 can be found at kzbin.info/www/bejne/bITQnpyJeqyIhKc.

[@janiesmys461]

I love his heart. So positive though he was in hell.

[@DeniseLaFranceCDNpainter]

If William Baldwin, Dustin Hoffman and Richard Feynman had a baby, he'd look like *_this_* incredible man.

[@DonnaMM6361]

He reminds me of Dustin Hoffman.

[@enjoythemoment6596]

Robert DeNiro… to me.

[@Mitzi1221]

Good looking. Charming. My my

[@eddybikales7398]

I'll read him all these comments (he's 93), but this will undoubtedly be his favorite! Thank you from his son, Eddy.

[@tkammon2211]

Lovely man. The recorder was abrupt to the point of being rude.

[@MrsKastell]

And so handsome.

[@cindyseverson2917]

These people who interview seem like they just read from the paper and don't really hear. They have no sense of humor! This guy has a sense of humor, she totally missed it. 😮

[@carlagoncalves531]

Rude interviewer ! Interrupting and don't let Norbert to tell more details worst of all I seen.

[@ronpeters-k9m]

LIARS !!!

[@lloydkennedy8023]

The quizzical floor untypically include because ankle muhly burn about a afraid christopher. selfish, festive waitress

[@terveron]

A very vivid way of telling his story. I'm sorry to say that there's something not convincing on what he says: lots of details which make the whole a bit difficult to believe on the contrary of what happens by the testimonies of other survivors I've watched here. I hope I am wrong though and just mislead by his artistical way of putting his story. In that case I owe you a big apology Mr. Bikales!

[@yourgirlme9163]

yes you do!

[@eddybikales7398]

Not sure what you saw in there, but I'm his son and I can confirm his story -- because I have met over the course of my lifetimes many others who have been witnesses to his story and have had their own stories. Anyone who survived has a LOT of luck, as he did.

[@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453]

The children survivors were mainly the ones through the kinder transport, just like Dr. Ruth Westheimer, if you listen to the other surviving children. If you look it up, this is a common story where the parents sent their kids to orphanages in Switzerland, England, France, while the parents got killed.

[@Eatmeat424]

My great grandparents were from Austra Hungry. A lot of people say, oh so you're Chezoslovan. I always say, no, I'm Austra Hungarian. There is a distinction there.

[@JenniferJones-Cartier]

What a lovely man