Oral History

Barbara Ledermann Rodbell describes her reaction to Nazi-mandated schools for Jewish children in Amsterdam

In 1933 Barbara's family moved to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. They became friends of Anne Frank and her family. The Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940. Barbara's boyfriend, Manfred, had underground contacts and she got false papers. Her mother, sister, and father were deported to Westerbork and then to Auschwitz. Barbara survived using her false papers and worked for the resistance. She helped take Jews to hiding places and also hid Jews in an apartment held in her false name.

Transcript

Critical Thinking Questions

Why are survivor testimonies important in studying the Holocaust?

How do oral histories differ from other primary sources such as artifacts, documents, and photographs? What can we learn from different types of primary sources?

How can personal testimonies and oral histories provide insights into the impacts of racism and bigotry?


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  • US Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
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