Barbara Cohen
Barbara (Schechter) Cohen was born in Bukaczowce, Poland (now part of Ukraine) in 1941. When Barbara was a baby, she and her parents were sent to live in a ghetto. They were able to escape with false papers and were hidden by a non-Jewish farmer in the area. Because she had blond hair and blue eyes, Barbara’s mother was able to pass as German and took Barbara to Germany where they stayed during the war. They ended up in a Displaced Persons Camp in Stuttgart, where they were reunited with Barbara’s father. The family arrived in New York in 1946 as refugees.
“In the survivor community, one of our fears is that we don’t want to be forgotten. We want our children to remember the legacy, where they came from, that we are survivors, that we are strong people.”
More Survivor Stories
Irene Miller
Irene Miller was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1932. When Germany invaded Poland, Irene’s family tried to flee to the Soviet Union and was stranded for several weeks in “no…
Edward Malinowski
Edward Malinowski (Mersyk) was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1939. His family lived on a street that became part of the Warsaw ghetto. When Edward was 4 years old, he…
Survivor Talk Sundays
Join us on Sundays at 12pm to hear first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors that now live in Michigan.
Summer Academy for Michigan Holocaust Educators
We invite all Michigan educators to join us at The Zekelman Holocaust Center for Summer Academy on July 27, 28, 29, and 30. Whether you are new to teaching the Holocaust…
Summer Academy for Michigan Holocaust Educators
We invite all Michigan educators to join us at The Zekelman Holocaust Center for Summer Academy on July 27, 28, 29, and 30. Whether you are new to teaching the Holocaust…
Summer Academy for Michigan Holocaust Educators
We invite all Michigan educators to join us at The Zekelman Holocaust Center for Summer Academy on July 27, 28, 29, and 30. Whether you are new to teaching the Holocaust…
Summer Academy for Michigan Holocaust Educators
We invite all Michigan educators to join us at The Zekelman Holocaust Center for Summer Academy on July 27, 28, 29, and 30. Whether you are new to teaching the Holocaust…
Educator Workshop: Next Generation Speaker Talk With Barry Auster
Hear Next Generation Speaker Barry Auster share stories about his mother, who was also a speaker at The HC until she passed away at the age of 92. The Next…
Educator Workshop: Next Generation Speaker Talk With Jeff Cymerint
Hear Jeff Cymerint share stories about his father, Harry, who survived the Holocaust and who Jeff identifies as his hero, mentor, and best friend. The Next Generation Speaker Series will…
Survivor Talk Sundays: Eva Rival
Every survivor’s story is unique and provides a special, first-hand account of life before, during, and after the Holocaust. Hearing from local Michigan survivors helps us see all the victims…
Survivor Talk Sundays: Henry Wormser
Every survivor’s story is unique and provides a special, first-hand account of life before, during, and after the Holocaust. Hearing from local Michigan survivors helps us see all the victims…
