2024 First Person with Holocaust Survivor Susan Warsinger

A brick smashing through the bedroom window jolted nine-year-old Susan Warsinger awake on Kristallnacht (or “Night of Broken Glass”) in Nazi Germany on November 9, 1938. Watch to learn how Susan and her brother Joseph managed to outrun danger as war erupted in Europe.

The next First Person conversation with a Holocaust survivor will be available to watch on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

First Person is a monthly, hour-long interview between journalist Bill Benson and a Holocaust survivor on the Museum’s YouTube page, including questions from the audience. This program is made possible through generous support from the Louis Franklin Smith Foundation.

[wildwood]

I am here from a very rural part of South Dakota. I have no social or religious ties to the Holocaust, that I know of anyway. I am 53 years old and ever since I can remember I go out of my way to learn about this terrible time of our past. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story.

[cindymcmurray]

I'm from Missouri. Your horrors are so unimaginable. Thank you for telling your story. So many people think none of this happened. Please keep telling your story.

[michelebellamy]

Thank you for doing this. Still many of my generation do not know about or they deny.

[reneehaug]

I am currently in Berlin and I make a point to acknowledge the many memorials all over town and say prayers for those who were murdered. Bless you and your family.

[annedwyer]

Thank you for this "First Person"! I've watched the Ken Burns documentary (sev. times!) "The US and the Holocaust", and Susan and her brother Joe are featured quite a bit in it. They're both wonderful story tellers abt their experiences. It's a very emotional moment for Joe when he describes the fog lifting as they arrive in NY harbor, even after 80 yrs. It's amazing and wonderful that their family was able to escape Europe and reunite in the US. I must say what a beautiful woman Susan is, inside and out; it's hard to believe that she's in her mid-90s!! (it's mentioned that she was 9 during Kristallnacht in 1938)

[margaretroselle]

I am watching this from New Zealand and wish to thank you for this most important interview. I have listened to many Holocaust Survivor interviews over the years and each one has touched my heart immensely. Many, many thanks!

[medtech]

What an exquisitely gracious lady. Thank you for sharing your story. May the rest of your days be filled with peace and love.

[disneyfan]

What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy these First Person stories immensely.

[marivelzamora]

What wonderful story, thanks for sharing, she’s adorable ❤

[topcat]

My father helped open Mauthausen. I’m in Georgia, USA right now.

[santi]

God bless these people= they have gone through SO MUCH mental, physical and emotional abuse and turmoil. This is heartbreaking.... And STILL they go through abuse. Why are people so evil and easily brainwashed. Why do we allow this to still go on? Please, ALWAYS think about anything you watch, listen to and speak about. There are still people out here that want to continue the hate. Do not follow - be leaders with morals and values, respect and love. America, investigate before you vote-the evil ones are tying to doing this same thing right now

[micheled]

Extraordinary woman. My mom was also born in 1929 in Canada. I wonder if Canada let in any Jewish refugees?

[martiemc]

Here in Florida USA. The City Of Orlando is trying to build a new holocaust Memorial. It should be open soon.