Gerda Weissman was only 15 years old when the Nazis invaded her hometown Bielsko, Poland.
On August 1939, only a few weeks before school began, Gerda returned to her home from vacation. Little did she known only a few weeks later, her entire life would be turned around.
On September 1, the Nazis stormed Bielsko, and began bombings in the evening "Explosions went off outside, and we were forced to take shelter in our basement," She later said in a documentary on her experiences, "My cat was outside... and meowing, I never saw it again." Her brother was only 19 years old, studying chemistry in a local university. He was killed in the bombing.
Within weeks all able-bodied Jewish men were taken away.
The homes of deported Jews were given to native Germans supporting the invasion. Gerda's family was confined to their basement.
In 1942, all the remaining Polish Jews were deported for slave labor, "This was the worst day of my life," Gerda says, "But I still cannot comprehend the bravery of my parents."
Gerda was torn from the rest of her family, but this was only the beginning... ... ... of the hardest years of her life.
On August 1939, only a few weeks before school began, Gerda returned to her home from vacation. Little did she known only a few weeks later, her entire life would be turned around.
On September 1, the Nazis stormed Bielsko, and began bombings in the evening "Explosions went off outside, and we were forced to take shelter in our basement," She later said in a documentary on her experiences, "My cat was outside... and meowing, I never saw it again." Her brother was only 19 years old, studying chemistry in a local university. He was killed in the bombing.
Within weeks all able-bodied Jewish men were taken away.
The homes of deported Jews were given to native Germans supporting the invasion. Gerda's family was confined to their basement.
In 1942, all the remaining Polish Jews were deported for slave labor, "This was the worst day of my life," Gerda says, "But I still cannot comprehend the bravery of my parents."
Gerda was torn from the rest of her family, but this was only the beginning... ... ... of the hardest years of her life.
Gerda Weissmann as a child, in her documentary, and now.
A memorable speech by Gerda Weissmann when she accepts an Oscar on her work in her documentary. Showing us that happiness is more than a state of mind.