The summary of ‘First Person 2016: Frank Liebermann’

The video features Holocaust survivor Frank Liebermann sharing his personal account of growing up in Germany and surviving the Holocaust. Frank discusses his family's struggles under Hitler's regime, their emigration to the United States, and the challenges they faced. He highlights the importance of learning from history to prevent repeating past mistakes. The video also emphasizes the value of survivors sharing their stories and discussing difficult topics like the Holocaust to preserve heritage and educate future generations. Frank reflects on finding peace with the past, underlining the significance of visiting memorials and museums to honor those who suffered. The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude for the opportunities in life and advocating for the continued study of history.

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, Suzanne Brown-Fleming introduces the First Person program featuring Holocaust survivor Frank Liebermann. The program, sponsored by the Louis Franklin Smith Foundation and the Arlene and Daniel Fisher Foundation, involves survivors sharing their firsthand accounts. The audience is encouraged to stay connected with the museum through the website and can receive electronic copies of survivors’ biographies. Frank will share his personal account and engage in a Q&A session. The event is livestreamed on the museum’s website, allowing viewers worldwide to participate. A slideshow presentation introduces Frank’s background, including his upbringing in Gliwice, Germany (now Poland), and the impact of Hitler’s rise to power on his family.

00:05:00

In this part of the video, Frank discusses his childhood in Germany before the Nazi takeover. His father was a doctor who could no longer practice due to anti-Jewish laws. In 1938, the family obtained visas to come to the United States. Frank describes his normal childhood upbringing until 1936 when the Nazis took over, leading to restrictions for Jewish individuals. He talks about the changes in his town of Gliwice and the standing of his family members prior to Hitler’s regime.

00:10:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses his family’s secure existence in Gliwice, Poland. His parents settled there due to proximity to both sides of the family. The speaker’s father was a surgeon, and his uncle was an economist who lost his job in 1933. The speaker describes the school experience during the changing regulations of the 1930s, with Jewish children kept separate and facing challenges during recess. The speaker mentions a group of Jewish families in Gliwice sharing a garden as a safe place. Additionally, the speaker’s mother explored opportunities in Israel, where there was a shortage of doctors, which planted the seed for potential emigration discussions.

00:15:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how their family started investigating other options after warnings in 1936. By the end of a treaty in July, the speaker took swimming lessons in preparation for a possible ocean voyage. The family felt secure until difficulties arose due to Nazi threats impacting their livelihoods. The speaker’s father, a doctor, faced decreasing practice and lost hospital privileges post-treaty. The family’s business declined, leading to its confiscation during Kristallnacht. The speaker’s father traveled to the US in 1938 to explore potential family connections for support, but the expedition did not yield positive results.

00:20:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses how their father obtained an affidavit to bring their family to the United States, ensuring they would not go on welfare. The family faced challenges with limited funds due to frozen bank accounts in Germany while preparing to leave for the U.S. They strategically booked their voyage to have funds upon arrival. The speaker also recounts a medical incident when they broke their arm, facing discrimination as a Jewish person when seeking medical help in Germany.

00:25:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses their journey from Germany to the United States in October 1938. They took a ship called Europa, which was delayed due to Hitler’s war threats during the Munich negotiations, causing them to arrive late. The voyage across the Atlantic took six days, during which the speaker’s mother was seasick. The speaker recalls a fond memory of mushroom picking with their mother’s family in Germany and a troubling memory of their uncle being caught before departing for the US.

00:30:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker recounts their experience in New York and Cleveland during the onset of the Holocaust. They describe staying in a one-bedroom apartment with a Murphy bed in Cleveland, where they received news of the Kristallnacht pogrom from their grandparents over the phone. The family learned that business was confiscated, brothers were imprisoned, and the Holocaust had begun. The speaker explains their family’s escape to Shanghai, under Japanese occupation, as one of the brothers was caught in Bremen but eventually returned and, tragically, perished in Auschwitz with others after their ship was turned back due to Italy declaring war.

00:35:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker talks about their family’s move from Cleveland to Dayton when they were 10 years old. The speaker shares how their father became active in the HIAS upon arriving in the United States. An incident is described where the father faced a challenge with the Medical Society due to a citizenship requirement. However, a positive turn of events led to his quick establishment and success as a doctor in the community. The family felt fortunate to have resettled, and the speaker had a happy childhood in Dayton. The father volunteered for medical examinations and tried to join the Army during World War II but was rejected due to the shortage of doctors. The speaker also mentions the family’s lack of communication with relatives in Theresienstadt and Auschwitz during the war.

00:40:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker shares a personal experience of visiting a memorial in Poland dedicated to the Jewish community’s contribution to the city of Gliwice. They reflect on finding peace with Germany, highlighting the importance of learning from history, including visiting the Holocaust Museum. The speaker also emphasizes their American patriotism and desire for future generations to have similar opportunities. The video host outlines the tradition of First Person events, inviting the audience to participate in a Q&A session and closing remarks by the guest speaker, followed by a group photo opportunity and a chance for attendees to interact with the speaker.

00:45:00

In this segment of the video, Frank discusses the importance of learning from history, particularly from the vulnerability of humanity and past events to avoid repeating mistakes. He highlights exhibits at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum that emphasize this point, such as those on Cambodia and [Inaudible]. Frank also answers questions about the fate of his friends from Europe who did not make it, and confirms the establishment of concentration camps, like Dachau, in the late ’30s, shortly after Hitler’s rise to power, targeting Jews, communists, socialists, homosexuals, and other groups.

00:50:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various aspects of the Holocaust, including anti-Jewish laws, the T4 program for mercy killings, and personal experiences during that time. The speaker also shares about leaving school early for safety reasons and the importance of coming to terms with the past without holding onto hate or grudges. A question is posed about encouraging survivors to share their stories, highlighting the challenges some survivors face in opening up about their experiences.

00:55:00

In this part of the video, the speaker reflects on the importance of openly discussing difficult topics such as the Holocaust and emphasizes the value of sharing family history to preserve heritage. They highlight the significance of discussing challenging issues rather than suppressing them. The speaker also shares personal anecdotes about their family and expresses gratitude for the opportunities they have had in life. They stress the importance of studying history and express appreciation for being able to share their insights.