Lena Goldstein 1991 Testimony
Object numberM2017/050
TitleLena Goldstein 1991 Testimony
DescriptionTestimony of Lena Goldstein recorded in 1991 as part of the development of the Sydney Jewish Museum. The testimony was recorded across five DigiBeta tapes.
Lena speaks briefly about her family who were from Lublin but moved to Warsaw. The family home was within the confines of the small ghetto. She speaks about life in the ghetto, the overcrowding and health implications.
Lena worked in a laundry in the ghetto washing German uniforms. She talks about the deportations and the last time she saw her parents. She explains her resistance activities.
After receiving a letter about a hiding place on the Aryan side Lena decides to escape. She discusses how she managed to escape. Her first hiding place was in a bathroom with other Jews, notably one who escaped Treblinka and suffered from night terrors. Conditions in hiding were difficult which she describes.
With the Polish Uprising in 1944, the group moved to a new hiding space in a tiny pitch black bunker. Making this space habitable was a challenge. As it was small, dark and crowded.
The final tape begins with Liberation. For the first time Lena cries for the loss of her family. They are able to find a place to live but struggle to find food and clothing.
The interview ends with historic photos of life before the war.
Lena speaks briefly about her family who were from Lublin but moved to Warsaw. The family home was within the confines of the small ghetto. She speaks about life in the ghetto, the overcrowding and health implications.
Lena worked in a laundry in the ghetto washing German uniforms. She talks about the deportations and the last time she saw her parents. She explains her resistance activities.
After receiving a letter about a hiding place on the Aryan side Lena decides to escape. She discusses how she managed to escape. Her first hiding place was in a bathroom with other Jews, notably one who escaped Treblinka and suffered from night terrors. Conditions in hiding were difficult which she describes.
With the Polish Uprising in 1944, the group moved to a new hiding space in a tiny pitch black bunker. Making this space habitable was a challenge. As it was small, dark and crowded.
The final tape begins with Liberation. For the first time Lena cries for the loss of her family. They are able to find a place to live but struggle to find food and clothing.
The interview ends with historic photos of life before the war.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1991 - 1991
Subjectghettos, resistance, hiding, liberation, starvation, deportation
Object nametestimonies
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Helena Goldstein