Archive
The Fortunoff Archive’s collection consists of over 4,400 testimonies of Holocaust survivors, witnesses and liberators. Learn how to search the collection for materials relevant to your research. Includes step by step instructions on how to register in Aviary and access the collection. Search the Archive
Fellowships
The Fortunoff Archive actively encourages supports scholarship with the collection through its fellowship program. The archive offers several fellowships including a two-year fellowship for a postdoctoral scholar, as well as fellowships for doctoral candidates and senior scholars. Learn More
Access Sites
The Fortunoff Archive makes its collection available at dozens of access sites around the globe. Access Sites are generally institutions of higher learning, museums, and memorial sites. There is no cost to become an access site. Locate an Access Site
From the Archive
Songs From Testimonies
Episode 12: Badkhen's Song
A look at the "Badkhen's Song," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Jack M., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by songwriter and filmmaker Josh Waletzky WatchSongs From Testimonies
Episode 11: Treblinka Survival Song
A look at the song "Treblinka Survival Song," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Irene S., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by Samuel D. Kassow, professor at Trinty College. WatchPodcast
SE02E10: Judith Perlaki
Teenaged Judith Perlaki recalled cheating death twice after being deported from Hungary to Auschwitz. But most of her family wasn’t so fortunate. ListenSongs From Testimonies
Episode 10: W pociągu jest tłok
A look at the song "W pociągu jest tłok," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Peretz H., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by author Krzysztof Czyżewski. WatchSongs From Testimonies
Episode 9: Polish Army Songs
Episode 9 features Polish Army Songs, drawn from the testimony of Jack M. (HVT-1555). Jack M. learned these two songs from his fellow soldiers and officers in his regiment. WatchPodcast
SE02E09: Elias Recanati
When the Germans took control of the Greek city of Salonika, Elias Racanati’s family had one chance to escape—his mother’s family hailed from Spain. But they had to cross German-occupied Europe to get there. ListenSongs from Testimonies
Episode 8: Płaszów Inmates’ Song
This song is based on a poem drawn from the testimony of Ruth C. (HVT-3793), who was born in Kraków, Poland in 1920. Ruth remembers singing this song in Płaszów concentration camp, but she cannot recall the melody. WatchSongs from Testimonies
Episode 7: Stepan
Episode 7 features Stepan-blondin. This song is based on a poem drawn from the testimony of Liubov’ K. (HVT-3280). This is a ballad telling the story of the inmates escaping the labor camp to the village (possibly to get food) and their cruel guard Stepan. Liubov’ recites it as a poem in her testimony, with no melody. WatchPodcast
SE02E08: Malka Baran
Malka Baran expressed her love of children by caring for a toddler hidden in the barracks of a concentration camp and teaching first grade at her DP camp. It was the start of her lifelong commitment to early-childhood education. ListenSongs from Testimonies
Episode 6: Proschai
A look at the song "Proschai," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Liubov' K., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by Dr. Sarah Garibova, Former Fortunoff Video Archive Hartman Fellow. WatchPodcast
SE02E07: Leon Pommers
Fleeing Warsaw ahead of the invading Nazis, concert pianist Leon Pommers was propelled into a perilous journey around the world in hopes of reuniting with his sister in America. ListenSongs From Testimonies
Episode 5: Tuchi Nad Budyschem Vstali
A look at the song "Tuchi Nad Budyschem Vstali," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Liubov' K., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by Dr. Sarah Garibova, Former Fortunoff Video Archive Hartman Fellow. WatchSongs From Testimonies
Episode 4: In Dem Kleinem Dorf
A look at the song "In Dem Kleinem Dorf," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Liubov' K., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by Dr. Sarah Garibova, Former Fortunoff Video Archive Hartman Fellow. WatchPodcast
SE02E06: Esther Schwartzman
As Polish Jews fled across the border into Hungary bearing stories of Nazi atrocities, Esther Schwartzman’s family and community didn’t believe that such things could happen to them. Then in early 1944, everything changed. ListenSongs From Testimonies
Episode 3: Trayb Di Khvalyes
A look at "Trayb Di Khvalyes" from Songs From Testimonies. Listen to a clip of survivor Jack M., a performance by the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble & Sasha Lurje, and commentary by D. Zisl Slepovitch and Eléonore Biezunski, Associate Sound Archivist, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. WatchPodcast
SE02E05: Abram Merczynski
When Abram Merczynski’s brother organized an orchestra in the Lodz ghetto, Abram promised himself that if he survived the war, he’d learn to play the violin. He lived—and kept his promise. ListenSongs From Testimonies
Episode 2: Kadima
A look at the song "Kadima," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Itzchak S., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History at Harvard, Derek Penslar. WatchPodcast
SE02E04: Helen Jonas
Deported to the Plaszów concentration camp, Helen Jonas faced almost certain death. Instead, she was chosen by Amon Göth—the camp’s notorious, brutal commandant—to be his servant. ListenEdited Program
The Last Time I Saw Them
Five Holocaust survivors describe the terror of being separated from their parents in this short documentary that draws on recorded testimonies from the Fortunoff Video Archive, historic images, and family photographs. WatchSongs From Testimonies
Episode 1: Walc François
A look at the song "Walc François," from Songs From Testimonies, including a clip of the survivor Peretz H., a performance of the Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble, and analysis by author Krzysztof Czyżewski. WatchPodcast
SE02E03: Annelies Herz
Annelies Herz saw that fellow Jewish forced laborers were disappearing. To survive, she and her twin sister went underground. ListenEdited Program
Frances B. and Sylvia G. excerpt from The Last Time I Saw Them
Frances and Sylvia, sisters born in Velky Berezeny, Czechoslovakia, in 1924 and 1928 respectively were separated from their parents at Auschwitz. WatchPodcast
SE02E02: Isaac Zieman
Isaac Zieman was a passionate young Zionist with plans to make a life in Palestine. ListenEdited Program
Fred M. excerpt from The Last Time I Saw Them
Fred, born in Berlin, Germany, in 1927. He was separated from his parents when he was sent to the Netherlands on a Kindertransport. WatchEdited Program
Anita S. excerpt from The Last Time I Saw Them
Anita, born in Brno, Czechoslovakia in 1930, was separated from her mother at Auschwitz. WatchPodcast
SE02E01: Sally Frishberg
High school teacher Sally Frishberg used her childhood experience of being hidden for two years with her family in a Polish farmer’s attic to create one of the first public high school classes on the history of the Holocaust. Listen
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Learning from Lived Experience: Survivor Knowledge from the Holocaust, Antebellum Slavery, and Contemporary Slavery
Save the Date: May 6, 2021, 12:00 PM ET
This panel discussion addresses core ideas about what survivors know, and what testimonies and experiences of survival tell us. Scholars of antebellum slavery, the Holocaust, and modern slavery will share their research and analysis of the importance of lived experience and testimony. The goal of the panel is to place new ideas, time periods, and spaces of forced labor in dialogue, exploring commonalities and differences in time and place.
Panelists will highlight a particular narrative from their relevant research area. Following the program, these narratives, with brief introductions drawn from the panel remarks, [...]
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