Iliza Shlesinger Discovers Horrors in Her Family's Journey | Finding Your Roots | PBS

Iliza Shlesinger discovers a story her family never shared, the tragic death of her great-grandmother's brother at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Another sibling escaped Poland, then survived Nazi occupied France. Meanwhile, military service brought Iliza's grandfather to France, near struggling family he may not have known.

Iliza Shlesinger is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and author, selling out theaters around the globe with a devoted fan base who are known for creating their own Iliza-inspired swag to wear to her shows. Her Hard Feelings world tour, featuring all new material, kicks off Summer 2023, and she can currently be seen guest starring on Season 3 of HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones.

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Finding Your Roots
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides influential guests into their roots, uncovering deep secrets, hidden identities and lost ancestors. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides influential guests deep into the branches of their family trees, revealing surprising stories of forgotten ancestors that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.

[AntoinetteMPetty]

"We're all alive because someone was lucky"....😢💔. Such deep sadness. I'm glad we are here to know our stories.

[jenw]

I believe this program should be showed in U.S. high schools. They really bring history to life.

[gregorymaupin]

I knew a few Jewish people who survived the holocaust, one man after he migrated to the United States he joined the United States Navy he retired from the navy. Chief as we all called him worked for my father both he and his wife were inturned in a camp they were childhood sweethearts and both in different camps met on the ship to the states. I learned so much from them they were beautiful people.

[medusagorgon]

And to think that there are people today who deny this horrific madness! Justifying hate.😔💔

[JenniferPChung]

Wow how do people find these lost history. It's really nice seeing this side of Illiza. I've only ever seen her in her comedy shows, which I love. But this side makes her human and it's very grounding.

[ComradeStiv]

Every one of these eps is powerful, but this one _really_ hit. Thank you Iliza for generously allowing us into such a shattering private moment.

Prof Gates as always brims with class, empathy, compassion, intellect, and dignity. Role model status.

[dclxvi]

She's a keen and even brave observer of the human experience. 

I liked Iliza as a comedian...but I like her even more now that I see her ability to navigate the harsh, emotionally fraught landscapes of her family history and still find deeply meaningful incites for both herself and the rest of us.

[courtneyholland]

This is such a powerful moment for her

[billhorton]

Iliza is one of the funniest women in comedy. It breaks my heart to see her so sad...

[shivanshshukla]

I come from India and my country saw it's people suffering in British invasion and then persecution of Kashmiri Hindus by Pakistani Talibans... I feel very heartbroken when I get to read or watch anything related to that same way I feel terrible about Holocaust which was the deadliest series of events which affected so many Jewish people 😢

[olseneudezet]

Heartbreaking. Best regards from Poland to all the Jewish people.

[marcusvachon]

She is so beautiful when she smiles with her crooked smile, it's heartbreaking to see how this sad family story took her smile. There are too many people that wake up wanting to take away a person's smile.

[lalah]

Oh how I hope she has more family out there in the world💖✨💖

[AdamLopez-xi]

This is why I love this show, just so sad to see her hurting so much, but she is so strong to, but we all need to learn from the past

[klara]

Hugs from Poland ❤ the Polish Jewish legacy will stay forever in our hearts❤ and now we are restoring the Jewish life in Poland, once the most prominent in Europe😊

[coralclark]

I’m so sorry your family went through this . Every family member that stayed in Germany were murdered . We only found out details.recently. Horrific. Never forget.

[hansscheltema]

"small little family that came out of nowhere" I really like that, it's the story of many of us whose European famielies fought and suffered under fascism

[hatonordeck]

I am deeply ashamed and continuously shocked about what my german Ancestors did with the Holocaust. It is unbelievable cruel. I feel with all the victims and feel sorry for the pain that was caused.

[markorollo.]

"I dont think i want to" "could you please turn the page" rough translation "yeahhh well you gotta" My Grandmother was Polish (Im English) this sounds horribly familiar.

[angelahepburn]

I shared a comment about African Americans in tragedy haven't you posted it. It was respectful and thought provoking