Oral History Department
The HC has amassed a collection of over 700 audio, visual, and written testimonies of Holocaust survivors, liberators, World War II veterans, and other witnesses.
Oral History Department
The Zekelman Holocaust Center's Oral History Department is an ongoing initiative and has collected more than 700 testimonies since the early 1980s of Holocaust survivors, liberators, veterans, other witnesses, and rescuers. These testimonies provide invaluable historical information that can be used by generations of historians, psychologists, and social scientists.
The scope of our oral history collection encompasses the personal narratives of those who witnessed the escalation of the Nazis’ anti-Jewish campaign in Austria, Germany, and other countries that fell under German domination. Accounts of people who escaped, alone or with their families, before the Nazis closed all escape routes are included as well. This collection is indexed for review and available for viewing in The HC's Library Archive.
The Importance of Oral Histories
As our local Holocaust survivor community ages, the necessity to record their accounts of this period of history is imperative. Recognizing the urgency of this need, we have stepped up our efforts to capture testimonies. We encourage anyone who lived through this period or witnessed the events of the Holocaust to get in touch with The HC and schedule an interview.
The Oral History Department collects testimonies of Holocaust survivors, whether they were in the camps, in hiding, passing as non-Jews, in the partisans or a resistance movement, or were able to leave Europe before it was too late. Also of great importance are the accounts of liberators who unexpectedly encountered the results of the Nazis’ Final Solution when they entered the camps, the stories of Righteous Gentiles, and any other eyewitness to Nazi persecutions.
Language is not a barrier, and our experienced interviewers and professional videographers will accommodate any individual scheduling requirements. Giving a testimony not only benefits Holocaust researchers but also preserves your legacy for generations to come. Each interviewee is given a physical copy to share with family and friends.