Jewish Survivor Sonja Waitzner Testimony | USC Shoah Foundation

You are watching Sonja Waitzner, a Jewish Holocaust survivor. To learn more about Sonja, 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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[@vryunique26]

I love Sonja so much!!! She passed away on Monday October 13th, on Sukkot. She was a beautiful, joyful, jovial friend of mine! I'll miss you Sonja!!

[@elhombredeoro955]

☹️😞

[@debclosser2815]

Sonja and the interviewer are PRICELESS !! It was like listening to two friends talking. How sad it is that they had to meet under these circumstances. But I thank God for the courage and strength that Sonja had to tell her story so that we will NEVER forget this horrendous time in history and to make sure that it Never EVER happens again !!

[@revitalsela4063]

I am Jewish, I'm a medical doctor and all my life tried to do good to others, no matter their religion or affiliation. I am very sick now and I started listening these interviews after my 96 holocaust survivor grandma past away, i hope to manage to listen to as many as i can bafore I'm gone, these interviews are the only thing that gives me strength to go through waht i am going throgh now. Listening to Jewish people like me who went through far worse than i can ever imagine and still went out of it strong and built a life for them self. Luck has nothing to do with it only strong will, that i hope to learn from them. God bless you all

[@gabrioxxx]

revital sela i I will pray God for your health. You have tried to do good to others and this is the only reason that makes any life worthwhile. God bless you

[@cindyhiel3930]

I listen to learn and become encouraged by their strength as well. My life is very hard due to my health that will only get worse. Nothing compared to the horror these survivors endured.

[@djpanda255]

God bless you as well.

[@angelinaanderson481]

Well doc I pray u r doing better. It’s been a year since u commented on this but I want u 2 know I’m not Jewish but I care about what happened to the innocent Jewish people in Europe at this time. The antisemitism was disgusting and it continues to this day. I won’t be one that stands around and does nothing. I am LDS and I have many Jewish friends, mentors and teachers whom I love. These stories should be watched by as many people as possible and stand together to build bridges of friendship. God Bless You to be well again.

[@Hundredacredaycare]

revital sela god bless you❤️🙏🏻❤️

[@katherinedorsey3426]

I’ve listened to dozens and dozens of these testimonies, but this one hit differently. It was so very raw and emotional. I felt like I was with her during that terrible time. A remarkable woman and survivor. ~❤️

[@cindyhalpern3187]

This was the best interview ever! The Survivor was allowed to tell her story without interruption. The interviewer stepped aside to let her talk at her speed. She allowed her grief. She was permitted to tell her testimony in her way. I am very sorry this woman suffered further after the war. But she has so much grace. She is an inspiration to me.

[@lisaineastcentralohio6805]

When she cried , I cried.She is a very ,very brave lady.

[@djpanda255]

Sonja and her brothers are amazing. After everything they endured, they stuck together. A testament to family. Beautiful.

[@faithdavis4453]

This interviewee is the best yet. No interruptions and she shows some empathy.

[@Hundredacredaycare]

faith Davis yes!

[@jessa7323]

I agree. I love this testimony but keep in mind that some people will laugh while telling there story. Some will cry. Some will not show emotion and they are all worthy. I have went through major trauma (although no where near holocaust level of these amazing men and women) and yet when I got to my first group therapy I was nervously laughing while telling my story and I looked around the group and many people were crying on my behalf. I couldn't believe it! I didn't know anyone cared before yet everyone's else knew how serious it was except me. I guess I had to down play things in my mind. Sorry for the lecture but primarily mean it for anyone reading these comments. Grief and trauma are so strange. It would break my heart for someone not to believe or feel the impact of some or this survivors just because they might not cry (and faithdavis if this is not how you feel, I understand. This response is meant for those who might not understand). I hope I wrote this kindly and in a way that is understandable. I can't begin to put into words just how strange trauma can be. Some people come out of trauma thinking they are literally god and giggling all the time and just act in ways we would think is crazy so yeah. My point is that it impacts everyone differently. And over my life, and throughout meeting other survivors of things it seems like it's basically at random with how your mind will cope. You could be the strongest person, never cry a tear over it to crying every day. You could be someone sensitive who used to cry and now has not shed a tear since. You can be like me, someone who never laughs much to laughing more when telling my story than anywhere else in my life. Or could be in your completely right mind and next not understand up from down and think you're in another world. Just hope people understand this. And be kind. My heart breaks for anyone who has been forced to endure a traumatic event. Once you do, you will literally never be the same. These testimonies inspire me. They have had it worse in more ways than imaginable. I aspire to be as strong as these men and women in my everyday life and I already applaud anyone else who is taking the time to watch this video or others 🤍

[@michaelrwhelan2669]

Yes, well said. I think I have problems then I listen to riveting testimonies like this one and everything is put into a vast perspective, and I realize how lucky I am. Never forget!

[@cindyhiel3930]

I have watched quite a lot of these stories. This one so emotional it left me speechless.

[@camillehowe661]

It is so incredibly excruciating to hear her testimony but so important to document!! I am so thankful for the opportunity to hear her!!

[@simonecharpentier1196]

Sonja's brother summed it up that she wasn’t lucky in her life but she had such a strong character and Spirit that she got through one thing after the other. She was attractive inside and out and had a Beautiful smile and an immensely positive attitude when she could have been embittered about how things unfolded. I knew a survivor who was also remarkable in how she dealt with life after the war. Always had a smile on her face and I enjoyed knowing her.

[@meggy8868]

Amazing woman and story and the interviewer was great. She let her tell it her own way in her own time. The horror and the pain.

[@lianecornils8733]

Its better then the U.S today.

[@lianecornils8733]

Areas they had each other. It was better then what you did to my child. You paid. Just in slow waiting. On me.

[@juliecrossfield5895]

What a fantastic Lady, so sad about her Mother, my Mum had the same infliction , but still her Mum ended up passing the way she did which is very upsetting, in fact it's upset me terribly, one thing for sure this Lady will live on always and be with her family on the other side bless her ❤️

[@BreaMichelle3]

I’ve watched dozens of these videos and this interviewer is by far the best one. The only one I’ve seen where she allows the survivor to complete all her thoughts and memories without interrupting, and actually shows empathy. Such a horrifying story but so important for us to hear.

[@michaelrwhelan2669]

Right on.

[@susiemartin7849]

Wonderful women with great and loving father. He loved his children and did his best.

[@ThePaul101010]

What a remarkable woman... so pretty and strong. Very lucky to have all her family united at the end of the war... and to live together in USA

[@janeroot8887]

I love this lady. I'm too emotional. she is so brave. I am not Jewish, but I've always had close Jewish friends.

[@sadaf6798]

This lady is ADORABLE! 💖💖💖 Too bad people like her can’t live forever 💞💞💞

[@woofytoronto]

Thank you for this great testimony. It is an important story to tell and it is invaluable. Merci pour votre touchant témoignage.

[@Hundredacredaycare]

This poor beautiful woman had such a hard life. God bless her and her family

[@zigzag554]

What a remarkable, intelligent and strong woman she was and what a tragic life!

[@yvonnemargo56]

This is one of most impressive testimonies . Someone i would have liked to meet and give a hug. Such A BEAUTIFUL LADY !

[@elevendebraeleven2]

Absolutely wonderful woman...you really felt like you were right there beside her. I have so much respect for her.

[@angelinaanderson481]

This woman is nothing short of amazing. Thank You for sharing your heart wrenching story with us.

[@awalkthroughtorah6897]

I am watching this a few days before Passover. I hope her family is doing well! Thank you for sharing this!

[@RD-0101]

One of the most impressive testimonies! What a strong positive woman in spite of her tragic youth and life after the WW2! She's an inspiration and an example for many!! I love her spirit!

[@ruso1717]

This woman is incredible!

[@laurap.5804]

OMG...dear Mrs Waitzner...Your pain hit me....I am giving You wherever You are now, a warm big hugh

[@RamonaRayTodosSantosBCS]

Of all the testimonies I've listened to I'd say that Sonia's testimony is probably the only one that has described in detail what it was like in the barracks- beautiful woman! I hate rutabagas lol and when a woman says she has a bad feeling about something, listen!!!

[@miawallace7641]

I'm 32 mins in and already so sad. Thank this woman for sharing her story.

[@pamkydes7826]

One of the best testimonies; rest in peace.

[@patriciasalassbirthdaysala4963]

Thank you Sonja, you are a beautiful lady inside and out... Brave woman, kind, loving, interesting and local. I wish I could have met you. I am sure you and your people are resting in the arms of God!!!🇮🇱🇪🇸 Thank you!!!

[@mrleftycoco]

Very hard to listen too. But we must. What humans can do to each other. Sonja's amazing !!!! Thank you for her story.

[@The7608]

What an amazing lady and story.

[@thenanlife1141]

Remarkable lady to have survived such evil 🦹‍♂️ god bless her , may she find peace xxx

[@jojersey4081]

Sonja is such an amazing story teller of all of the horrific atrocities of Hitler.

[@elaneradim6117]

THANK YOU

[@susancummings-voncluck9046]

My heart aches for the Jewish people. I pray for the blessings of Israel.

[@charro509charitablegiving2]

Please, the sound is too low. Thanks to fix it.

[@mamamaters]

My on,y wish was that the volume was better , so so hard to hear :(((

[@sabreecarpenter4285]

If you would like to listen to her testimony again, try a good pair of Bluetooth earbuds. Hope this helps.

[@lonnekekalf7471]

Rest in peace

[@Fabby47]

I wish they didn’t ask them so much personal questions about even grandparents. Whatever, I guess there’s a reason. God bless this great lady. Thank you.

[@lianecornils8733]

They were together. What you did to us is inexcusable.

[@hiddengemali8262]

✊

[@thenanlife1141]

These beautiful people have some terrible stories to tell .. god bless them all. we can only imagine what these beautiful people went through durin the natzi occupation. May they all find peace now xx🥰🥰

[@akumar5477]

I feel sorry for her that her father gave them up, how could he be that heartless, even if u leave your kids un attended at home , its still better than dumping them in an institution where they are visited once a month like an abandoned dog

[@yatubeful]

i dont know wat r u thinking about. pls understand n dont type weird comments.

[@sandraobrien8705]

At the point where the two brothers were living with their father in Vienna, I did not understand why she was still living in an orphanage in the same town. Surely at that point she could have lived at home.

[@JulieannV]

I really enjoyed listening to her story. Even though it’s regarding horrible circumstances. Very interesting and educating. I just don’t understand why Hitler disliked Jewish people, it’s ridiculous! In my opinion Hitler is the biggest mass murderer on the planet. My deepest condolences to all those who lost friends and loved ones in the holocaust.

[@theresabraddock9310]

Hard to follow a timeline. She goes from 10yo to 17yo to 11yo. Very confusing. So much hardship on a little girl she mustve felt like a liitle lost girl for decades. So sad.

[@blahblog4322]

Sorry it was so hard for you….

[@wzukr]

Skalat, the hometown of her parents wasn´t in Poland! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skalat

[@westhoboken8167]

You didn't read the Wikipedia article carefully.Skalat was in Poland in the interwar period.After the war it became part of the Ukraine.

[@jojersey4081]

This is an amazing women.

[@jennygalvin2517]

What?happened?to her mother?

[@RD-0101]

Taken to a concentration camp by the nazis in 1941. ☹

[@wzukr]

"Goldstein", not Goldsteen! It´s awful to see how they thread their ancestors and their own names!

[@freshbeanne]

Different families pronounce their names differently no matter what you consider the right way, I see this all the time in my life, don't you? I'm sure she's repeating as told personally and we have no need to say anything one way or another for heaven sake.

[@lianecornils8733]

And you wont be.

[@salutiesse]

Shock treatment for depression :'

[@bonniebabird]

Thank you for presenting Sonja's account of her incredible journey and survival. I'm amazed that anyone survives such brutality. As I watch this, there are forces of Right-wing White superiority growing in the US. I pray we will REMEMBER the horror of racist hate and vicious power before it truly DOES happen again here. We're blessed to have heard Sonja's history.

[@wildalbalass4867]

My heart goes out to all those that suffered and those that died. How do we feel now about the genocide being perpetrated by the Israelis against the Palestinians?

[@tinajohnson-bv9yx]

It's the other way round. It's the Arabs who attempted genocide. Do more research instead of following rhetoric. That's how this poor lady ended up in awful circumstances

[@lianecornils8733]

😆

[@RD-0101]

Why are you laughing at this poor survivor??😯

[@akumar5477]

is her family is Polish then why do they have German names? she also does not look Polish she look German or Austrian

[@parism555]

There are several Poles whom have Germanic roots. Remember that certain parts of Poland went back and forth between the Germans and Poles. Plus she was born in Vienna, Austria.

[@paulcannon5065]

Does it matter! Listen to her impassioned testimony!

[@lizvlx]

there is no difference in looks between ppl from Vienna and Poland.

[@lloydkennedy8023]

The alike drawer splenomegaly interfere because bankbook biosynthetically train times a untidy haircut. sour, obeisant windshield