Surviving Auschwitz: A Child Emerges from the Holocaust

It’s some of the most indelible Holocaust imagery: a group of children wearing striped uniforms pulling back their sleeves to reveal tattoos. Their young faces, surrounded by the barbed wire of Auschwitz shortly after their liberation, laid bare the evils of the Holocaust. Tova Friedman was one of these innocents—a young girl targeted by the Germans solely because she was Jewish. Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2024, Tova talks about how she is dedicating the last chapter of her life to fighting antisemitism and ensuring the victims of the Holocaust are not forgotten.

Guest
Tova Friedman, one of the youngest Auschwitz survivors

Host
Dr. Daniel Greene, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Learn more about Auschwitz:

Find out why Jewish children, like Tova, were especially vulnerable to Nazi persecution:

During the Holocaust, concentration camp prisoners received tattoos only at Auschwitz. Learn more:

[jamiesmith]

This is why she was saved, to bare witness, and help others thru the terror. God was with you, and still is my dear.

[noellafolkes]

I’m listening and watching from New Jersey. I cannot imagine experiencing what you went through at such an early age.

[innaalex]

TOVA, THANK YOU FOR SHARING HEART BREAKING STORY! IT’S SO HARD TO WATCH THIS WITHOUT TEARY EYES. I’M SO GLAD AT LEAST FOR SMALL GROUP OF SURVIVORS. IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO SHERE WITH THE WHOLE WORLD WHAT YOU AND MILLIONS OF OTHER JEWS WANT THROUGH. THANK YOU TOVA FOR BEING STRONG SURVIVOR OF THIS TERRIBLE TIME ! GOD BLESS YOU!❤️🕎🙏🏻

[melaniemotsinger]

Tova, your voice and your story share the unknown stories we never had the opportunity to hear from so very many voices. All People have value and Life is a treasure for each of us. Thank you for sharing.

[thomasdobo]

Tova you are an inspiration,
my mother was a survivor of Auschwitz and my father was a survivor.
It is is truly a miracle you and my parents survived this horrific tragedy.

[marilynsilberstein]

Marilyn Silberstein from Philadelphia. My mother-in-law, Blanka Silberstein z'l, was liberated from Auschwitz. She was my first and closest relationship to the Holocaust and had a profound influence on my children and now, my grandchildren. My daughter who lives in Adelaide, Australia, is a founding member of their Holocaust Museum, and her daughter honors the memory of her great grandmother who survived by working and lecturing there.

[shafur]

Tova, we will never forget. May God Bless You and all lost.

[Debi-isuf]

This can never ever happen again this has made me cry, the hellish of it all, i hope that all who have died are at peace. ❤❤.

[nedraleggett]

I went to school with and dated a guy, whose mother had numbers on her arm. When she learned my mom was interested in most things Jewish. She told m a shortened version of her story. I'll just say this. She was in a camp as a child. Lost all relatives. Came to the US. Made a life. Only told me once. But I remember.

[mjf]

Thank you for sharing your story, Tova! It is so very important to hear of your experience. I am so sorry you had to endure such horror and hatred. Thank you for voice!

[rhonda]

Tova your mother as you said was a remarkable woman and she taught you to be remarkable too. What keeps coming up is the importance of truth in every part of your story. I’m so glad I found you and so glad you have had a long life surrounded by new generations of family for you to share Friday dinners and new memories with. xxx

[alishadavidrichard]

Your strength was obviously a gift from your parents. You may be one of the few children who lived, but even fewer whose parents also survived.

[DM-ddwr]

Thank you Tova for sharing your heartfelt story with us. I was crying listening to you and cant imagine what you and all the other survivors went through. May Hashem always bless you with strength and long life.❤💪🙏

[GdHr-ozph]

Thanks to this incredible soul for her strength and kindness ❤️❤️❤️
Never forget.

[mauraschmitt]

Sorry I missed this viewing live, but was able to watch this morning.

Tova, your story is such a powerful message and I've sent your grandson's tic toc page to my young adult children to follow.

I was fortunate to have very good history teachers in junior high & high school. Teachers who never held back on this subject and who brought survivors into our school so we could hear their stories. One teacher was a U.S. Army photographer who took photos of camps when they were liberated. This left an everlasting impression on me.

Thank you Tova for sharing your story. May God bless you and your family a thousand times over ❤

[fancypants]

Thank you for reminding me that we have a responsibility to continue telling this story to the younger generations.

[henrybostick]

Straight Class, that is what is displayed by this special Woman. Very grateful that I get to hear the truth from someone who was Straight Class....

[jacquelinealter]

My grandmother also survived Aushwitz and called the day of her liberation her second birthday. I miss her, she was an incredibly strong woman that has 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

[lucyellard]

Tova you are amazing beautiful lady. We won't ever forget ❤

[sarahdingwall]

God bless you Tova. These oral histories are so important, but it can't be easy to talk about. Thank you for sharing your story.