Hester is my grandmother, and she just celebrated her 96th birthday last week! The comments on this video are very touching, it’s amazing to see how many people have heard her story and been moved by it.
Please tell her Happy Belated from a complete stranger who is over the moon that she is still here! For someone like me she is a beacon of hope & strength. We must remember that history repeats itself and I fear that it's doing just that. Regardless, Happy Birthday Hestor! You have been blessed and in return you have blessed us with your accounts of such a tragic history.
I am so glad to run into someone that is related to Hester on here. And to me this is been a wonderful experience to hear her she was so exact and i love the maps... And it was such a pleasure to learn so many things I look at a lot of these videos and hers of course touched my heart very much and I have tears in my eyes please give her a hug from me. And I will see you all in heaven along with the Messiah
When we complain about trivial things, just listen to the stories of the survivors, like this brave lady, of the Holocaust and realize how lucky we are. She endured heartbreaking and terrifying years as a young Jewish girl. She used her wit to finally escape and make it to freedom in the USA. My father was in the US Army and fought in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He never sweated the small stuff and appreciated the simple things in life. I know there were many atrocities he must have experienced, that he didn't talk about. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Through a miracle he survived and made it back to the USA where he was a civilian for a very short time. He re-enlisted in the Army after marrying my mom, I was born in 1948. He was stationed in Germany when I was just six years old. I remember I was in first and second grade at one of the American Army schools for Army brats like me. When we would go shopping off base to some of the German cities there was still a lot of remnants of buildings that had beened bombed down by the USA and our allies. I asked my dad why there were so many buildings like that, because at 6 or 7 years of age I didn't have a clue. My dad simply replied that there was a war. We also went on a tour of one of the concentration camps. Being so young I still didn't know much about the Holocaust. I do remember the part of the tour where they showed us the gas chamber. Jewish prisoners were told it was a public shower, because the ceiling grates appeared to be like shower heads. As I grew up and became more educated, I realized the great cruelty of that insane monster Hitler. Sorry, I think I have gone at length, but we must never forget.
Yeah. The Holocaust is one of the worst things in history. It wasn’t just Jewish people who were victims. It was also non Jewish people. Roma, Sinti, etc. And Shitler wasn’t the only monster. Same with most- not all- of his crazy Nazis like Josef Mengele, Amon Göeth, just to name some. I feel sorry for survivors and victims of these psychos and I also feel sorry for all the others that died. And also for victims of Unit 731, in Japan and in China. They all never survived. Unit 731 is similar to the experiments conducted in Auschwitz.
I'm so sorry. What a hard childhood you had. As I listened to you talk dispassionate about your past, I thought, "How brave she is and was to go through all that as a young person and then to face those memories so bravely, too, as an adult." Thank you for sharing your life story.
I cannot imagine how terrifying this whole era would have been for a child, nor how difficult to navigate the dangers alone. Kudos to your spirit and fortitude to survive, thrive and make a record of what happened so it will never be forgotten.
I was born in Den Haag in 1937.. I am not Jewish but there is so much in your story that I can relate to, God bless you and yours. Oh, I live in Australia since 1951.
And many think they had a rough life growing up. An amazing journey for you Hester to some how go with the tide that overwhelmed you, tested you and stole your family and childhood from you but you managed to come out of it all onto a shore to a second chance at life. Your strength, endurance and dignity is so inspiring. Your family that passed away in that horror would be so proud of you that you are a living testament to them and carry their legacy forward.
My goodness, Hester's story was gripping from start to finish and she's an excellent witness/storyteller. I could see her story unfolding in my mind's eye.
Oh my ! How sad! What a beautiful lady and as I listened to her I admired her strength at recounting the terrible time of the war and so sad for her loss of her parents and family.. bless her 🙏🏼
Absolutely amazing. My God, what these people lived through. We are so fortunate to have their stories. It's so difficult to even conceive of the magnitude of lost lives...
Her parents knew that she would be safe if she worked in that factory. Also makes me sad to hear that she felt bad leaving the family that “hid” her but also abused her ❤😢
Thank you for sharing your story. My mother and her family are also from the Netherlands, they lived near Leeuwarden. After the war they migrated to Australia. They are not Jewish but also suffered terribly during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Bless you.
When I started to translate this little book to my son I began to cry for this little girl, but I had to remember this little girl was me. I am so happy that she could reflect back on such a horrible time and figure it was her beginning and grieve for her...but in all here years the hurt, loss and heartache of that young women was replaced by on who LIVED. ❤️ She said a lot of moving things in this interview be for me that and her daughter telling her to not be sorry for moving across an ocean...giving her a new life and a new start. WOW! She lived, so I am so happy she was able to do so and glad her daughter helped her see that.
What a gift that book. Thanks for sharing your experience. Such a terrible thing 6,000,000,000 died and many more suffered. May God continue to Bless your life
Thank you so much for telling your life story so ppl can learn from this! It's such an honor to be able to hear a recount of the war from someone who was actualy there and lived and survived through all those atrocities. I to have grandparents of course, my grandma (my mothers ma) she joined the partisans with the rest of her family, while my grandpa, her future husband lived on a small island Drvenik Mali near Trogir. His family (parents and grandparents) hid his fathers sister who married a man born of a hebrew faith (she changed her faith (which was none😂, some sort of christian but she wasn't even christened, but she still underwent a long and demanding processe before they couldvhe weeding) and their five children, from ages about 16 to 8, plus her parents and her brother, his wife and their two daughters (their son joined the partizans). They hid them in the basemant and everything was allright before the capitulation of Italy in 1943 when the Italians left and the Germans came. Because everyone who lived on the island knew they were hidding there (i mean it wasn't exactly a big house) and when the Germans came in 43 it became extrenly dangereos because there was two many ppl in the house so my grear grand mother took my grandfather and his two yonger brothers and went in zbjeg (I don't know how to translate exept run away) in El Shat, in Egipt - a lot of women with small children did that. My grandpa is 3 years younger than my grandma (his future wife, the one that went to partisans, he was the oldest, 13 and his brothers Jozo and Misha, 9 and 7. They had the oldest brother Antonio, 17 who run away with partisans and died during the fighting. But the real tragedy was that right near the end of the war Germans gave orders they everyone must emptied the island and sent everyone to be stationed in Split and one of the Germans found out they had no papers or weren't registered on the island and they killed - shot them all, my grandpas sister, her small children, her husband, his family and everyone who lived in the house. They always considered Slavs inferier people (not Arian enough I guess) even though they all had blue eyes and white skin (black or brown hair though) it was a punishment for hiding Hebrews and warning to others (one other family hid Hebrew relatives too but they run away to America via Lisabon just before Italy capitulated- that family, Tironi, had lot more money because they owned the only mill and bread shop on the island, plus they hid just 3 persons, a couple and a child, and they still had to leave their 5 year old boy but they returned for him after the war ended (and they had huge problems with their visa because of laws back then that you can't leave the US for 5 years or something like that. My fathers father joined the partisans, got tuberculoses and died after the war, but the fact he joined partisans stoped comunists from taking all his land and nationalizing it. Those were brutal times but the sadest thing is how short of a memory ppl have and how quicly they forget. The sadest is that people learned nothing from the horrors of holocoust and when someone learnes nothing they are destened to repet the "lesson", one way or the other.
Facinerend en heel oprecht hoe zij alles vertelt . Ben blij dat ze een goed leven had na al deze gebeurtnissen. Een typies Nederlands optimismus zie je in haar doen en laten. Respekt voor jou en je familie
Thank you Helen, for your testimonial. Bless your memory! It is so important to know and remember what atrocities happened under the Nazi’s. And it did not happen far away, long ago. And it can happen again if people are racists and nationalists! ( I was born in ‘62, raised in Amsterdam and always go to the beach in Zandvoort.)
She’s wonderful and a strong lady physically as well to have survived such a horror. I’m so glad she is got a family and she’s happy. I wish her a long life with her loved ones. Thank you for your heart felt testimony. ❤️
It’s time us people starting putting more of these stories in limelight and focus more on using this to fight other evils in the world as it all connects. Social media should be used to address these stories and help us yes not forget though build passion and character to bring more justice and a human standard to not allow this again- rather than celebrity worshipping
I watch all of these holocaust programs, my heart cries for these poor people, I can't imagine being so mean and hateful to so many innocent people, sometimes it's hard to watch. God bless all those poor souls, may they never be forgotten ❤
Hester- You spoke well. Thank- you so much for being willing to share your experiences and educate others about what happened to you. May each person who hears your story be changed inside. I can tell you have done a lot of work, processing and organizing your thoughts as well as preparing to have a presentation that others can remember and connect with.
Thanks to whoever took the time to document this. History books are just one version of a era. Hearing from people who were there is important. Documenting history, like the person who wrote the book she found that was important to her, is such a crucial thing. Especially in this age of alternative facts.
I would like to thank Mrs Esther and all her family members. Her remarkable story of courage and strength living in fear and constant danger without parents at only 15. Thank you so much for sharing.
So brave! I love you Hester. I am American/ Jewish blonde hair and green eyes. Was a Bat Mitzvah. @ 25 yo I moved to Switzerland. Long story short I lived on the border of Germany. Turs out same that the Swiss returned Oskar Schindler. I traveled to Munich, took a local bus to Dachau. Not one German showed acknowledgement of the Camp. Had German friends, not one would say anything except their grandparents had nothing to do with it. Still so shocking.
Horrific!!!! But these personal accounts are crucial for our true understanding of that hell!!! she describes it BEAUTIFULLY and includes all the little details that truly paint a visual picture in your mind! ❤
Some absolutely amazing people survived to tell their stories so that we could’ve vigilant, we need to keep listening. Amazing woman with fantastic recall.
Hester is so personable, organized, and a great orator ! I loved how she explained everything such as cities-locations her expetiences- how she felt, etc. I just loved her and would like to thank you Hester for sharing your experience and your story during the holocaust.
What a beautiful woman, thank you so very much for sharing your story and history with everyone, my heart goes out to you and hopefully everyone can learn from you. Much love to you and your family from New Hampshire in the USA ❤❤ Your strength is so amazing ❤❤
I’m always blow away by each survivor telling their stories….it will be shared & stayed in my heart forever 🙏🏻💝🇺🇸🕯️🕯️🕯️…..they should’ve have the highest of Aliyah’s……RIP sweet souls ….
What is so remarkable is how these survivors after these harrowing and devastating experiences, the unimaginable horror and trauma, not only survived but went on to live full and productive lives, to marry happily and raise children who in turn live fulfilling lives.
Everyone needs to be on guard and make sure that this NEVER happens again! 6 million lives snuffed out, 6 million dreams dead… if those people had lived think what they might have contributed to the world.
I'm born in Africa. Our ancestors came from Holland as well. And looking at you make me think about my grandparents on my father side. My eye color is also greenish. If there is any Jewish blood in is, only the Heavenly Father knows. But we all have a desire to turn back and learn Torah from a Jewish point of view. Blessings dear Hester. I'm thanking God for keeping you and blessing you. Ma
Being a German I am so very sorry and ashamed of what my people did to you and your people. I'm glad you are such a strong woman and I wish you all the luck in the world.
Dear Elisabeth,it is not your fault,you did not do this.I lived through war as a child and I hoped no war will ever happen again but now Ukraine...so sad.
Elizabeth, unfortunately there are people capable of such evil in most countries. We just need to be aware and to do everything we can to stop them taking power.
Dear Elisabeth, You do not have to be sorry for the things that you didn’t do. What happened during the war could happen anywhere, at any time, because of the beliefs of the country’s leadership, and lies told to the population. We must all be vigilant, so it doesn’t happen again. You show yourself to be a very high morals person, to apologize for your forefathers deeds. Thank you for your kindness!
Wat an absolute awesome lady you are Hester .Thanks so much for your amazing true story . So glad you got to tell your true sorry thankyou so much an inspiration to everyone that walks on gods earth
This history is so critically important. I do grieve for his woman and all of the people who suffered, and those who were murdered so horrifically. I so admire this woman and all who share their experiences that prove that these things happened. I am grateful for all who tell their history, and I watch so that I/we do not ever forget. Much respect to this woman.
This was one of the best testimonies I have listened to. I love that Hester had the visual aids, especially the maps. She was so fortunate to have survived and it was due to happenstance circumstances. Having the job so that she did not go with her parents and then meeting the girlfriend who arranged for her to be hidden with that family. I can see how she regrets leaving behind the menorah and the tea set that her mother had hidden, but when you are still a teenager, those things do not mean as much to you as they do when you are older.
Many unique anecdotes here for the history of that terrifying time. The map also made this account more relatable, and everything about it clearly points out the unceasing fear and misery of being hunted by warped and deadly humans. Thank you to her and for producing this.
God-bless this beautiful lady and thank you so much for recording this story. We have got to keep these stories alive in the hearts and minds of all people. I am not Jewish but I am of native americanheritage and they tried to wipe out our people as well but not in the same manner. It just breaks my heart to hear these stories but I still seek them out and watch everything and read everything I can on what happened not so long ago on this planet.
Thank you for sharing. I am so sorry this terrible period in time occurred. I do not understand how a country enlisted people and turned them into such monsters So sorry.
The Red Cross did a great job delivering 1200 care packages each Friday to the people in the Auschwitz camp . Money was also delivered and was exchanged for camp currency to buy items in the general store. No such programs offered in Soviet Gulags.
Already reminiscing ... my bubbe and Papa used to measure and tell time that way: 3/4 of an hour, ten minutes till two ... I'm now 55 years old and told my son the time that way and he said, "Huh? What time is it?". Memories. ❤️
On one hand, those people who hid her saved her from the horrors of the concentration camp. On the other hand, their motivation is that they wanted a free slave worker who would do all the household chores and take care of the kids, and they were unfriendly too. I’m on the fence as to whether these people should be praised or not!
Indeed. I need to know more about similar cases to understand their true motif. It is a good thing that she was strong enough to chose for herself despite the egoism of these people.
But they were putting their lives on the line as well. If that was how they would have treated their help, Jewish or not, they would have been noticed if it changed.
They most likely didnt have the money to pay her. It was a very difficult time economically and everyone had little money. They didnt even have money for most foods. Like Hester said, she was given bone broth to eat because there was nothing else to eat. They were good for helping her but after the war it was not necessary for her to babysit anymore. Maybe they would miss her if she left? Either way, the family didnt abuse her. She was fed and hidden well for two years when any other family could of given her up to the Germans out of fear
Not sure how she was a slave in this situation? They shared their rations. If they were caught with her like others were they would be dragged out (most likely the father) and shot in the street as an example.
Um. What??? It's also important to remember that keeping her active and working while lonely would have been very important. Vital, in fact. She admitted that she was quite spoiled previously, so any work seemed much worse regardless- again, something she acknowledged. As a family who would have been shot dead on the spot for harboring her, as well as having to ration their own supplies which gave them less, it's quite unfair to say to that their "motivation" was to have "a free slave worker". Your view sounds extremely USA privileged, where everything is seen in the absolute worst way and in your own current day standards. I'm pretty sure she, and her children she was able to have because of that family, would rather have her changing diapers if the alternative was... oh... I don't know, DYING IN A GENOCIDE. I can't believe that was what you took from this. I'm truly second hand embarrassed for you.
What a hard life as a teen. If was a good thing that Helen just happened to be friends with a girl who was part of the resistance and got her a safer place to live. Yet, Helen was made to live in the attic and eat alone. But, great fully she was never found by the Nazi’s! It was a hard time after the war. Thankfully, Helen’s Grandfather, and aunt and uncle and daughter’s all survived!
Hester is my grandmother, and she just celebrated her 96th birthday last week! The comments on this video are very touching, it’s amazing to see how many people have heard her story and been moved by it.
96... what a blessing. Happy Birthday, Hester ❤
Please tell her Happy Belated from a complete stranger who is over the moon that she is still here! For someone like me she is a beacon of hope & strength. We must remember that history repeats itself and I fear that it's doing just that.
Regardless, Happy Birthday Hestor! You have been blessed and in return you have blessed us with your accounts of such a tragic history.
all around the world your grandmother will be know i am sure she is a good grandmother all love to all your family
That's amazing. What a beautiful redemption
I am so glad to run into someone that is related to Hester on here. And to me this is been a wonderful experience to hear her she was so exact and i love the maps... And it was such a pleasure to learn so many things I look at a lot of these videos and hers of course touched my heart very much and I have tears in my eyes please give her a hug from me. And I will see you all in heaven along with the Messiah
I LOVE that this woman had the Map and other things to help illustrate her story! Just wonderful !
I love how she is very detailed and had the map as well.
😂😂 Yea, she needed it for the americans watching, we in Europe sure don't need a map to find Holandia ( Holland) and it's cities 😂🤣😂🤣😂😂
What amazes me the most about these individuals who survived such horrors, is how they seem so kind and they still smile
You're right. They're bright from the inside of their soul
It shows that good truly triumphs evil ❤
When we complain about trivial things, just listen to the stories of the survivors, like this brave lady, of the Holocaust and realize how lucky we are. She endured heartbreaking and terrifying years as a young Jewish girl. She used her wit to finally escape and make it to freedom in the USA. My father was in the US Army and fought in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He never sweated the small stuff and appreciated the simple things in life. I know there were many atrocities he must have experienced, that he didn't talk about. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Through a miracle he survived and made it back to the USA where he was a civilian for a very short time. He re-enlisted in the Army after marrying my mom, I was born in 1948. He was stationed in Germany when I was just six years old. I remember I was in first and second grade at one of the American Army schools for Army brats like me. When we would go shopping off base to some of the German cities there was still a lot of remnants of buildings that had beened bombed down by the USA and our allies. I asked my dad why there were so many buildings like that, because at 6 or 7 years of age I didn't have a clue. My dad simply replied that there was a war. We also went on a tour of one of the concentration camps. Being so young I still didn't know much about the Holocaust. I do remember the part of the tour where they showed us the gas chamber. Jewish prisoners were told it was a public shower, because the ceiling grates appeared to be like shower heads. As I grew up and became more educated, I realized the great cruelty of that insane monster Hitler. Sorry, I think I have gone at length, but we must never forget.
+q++
God Love U
Our troubles are nothing. I have known many people who survived the war from all European countries.
Yeah. The Holocaust is one of the worst things in history. It wasn’t just Jewish people who were victims. It was also non Jewish people. Roma, Sinti, etc.
And Shitler wasn’t the only monster. Same with most- not all- of his crazy Nazis like Josef Mengele, Amon Göeth, just to name some.
I feel sorry for survivors and victims of these psychos and I also feel sorry for all the others that died. And also for victims of Unit 731, in Japan and in China.
They all never survived. Unit 731 is similar to the experiments conducted in Auschwitz.
Great story. I liked ready your memoirs. Thanks .
She was adorable. I loved how prepared she was with maps and pictures. I think her parents are very proud of her. And her family certainly is. ❤😊🙏🏼
I love how prepared she was too. Loved the visuals. What a lovely lady. ❤
😮
Ein bewegendes Schicksal. Und sie strahlt trotzdem soviel Wärme aus ❤
This is such an inspiring story. My heart is sad for her losses but I'm so proud of her for her bravery. Thank you Hester for telling your story ❤
Thank you for telling your story. It needed to be told.
I started crying even before I started this video. She was & is such a brave & strong woman. God bless her.
I'm so sorry. What a hard childhood you had. As I listened to you talk dispassionate about your past, I thought, "How brave she is and was to go through all that as a young person and then to face those memories so bravely, too, as an adult." Thank you for sharing your life story.
😢
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ this isn’t doing what you want it to.
She is a very good story teller....love and peace
I cannot imagine how terrifying this whole era would have been for a child, nor how difficult to navigate the dangers alone. Kudos to your spirit and fortitude to survive, thrive and make a record of what happened so it will never be forgotten.
P
I was born in Den Haag in 1937.. I am not Jewish but there is so much in your story that I can relate to, God bless you and yours. Oh, I live in Australia since 1951.
Would love to hear what you experienced during those times.
Fascinating. You have a wonderful spirit Hester, thank you for recording your experiences.
And many think they had a rough life growing up. An amazing journey for you Hester to some how go with the tide that overwhelmed you, tested you and stole your family and childhood from you but you managed to come out of it all onto a shore to a second chance at life. Your strength, endurance and dignity is so inspiring. Your family that passed away in that horror would be so proud of you that you are a living testament to them and carry their legacy forward.
I am just crying and crying. Because this is my family. The uncle from Antwerp was my grandfather.
Bless you snd your family
❤ BLESSINGS to you Hester and yours ! How wonderful that your life story of sadness and great strength is now being shared with the world !
An immense privilege to listen to your important and moving testimony.
Thank you for sharing.
What a remarkable story and you narrated it all so well. You are still smiling and managed to build yourself a new life after all the trauma. ❤
Even tho it's a painful story, it has been narrated beautifully!. Such an amazing lady!
My goodness, Hester's story was gripping from start to finish and she's an excellent witness/storyteller. I could see her story unfolding in my mind's eye.
A wonderful lady whose destiny was quite different from the rest of her family. It’s bittersweet for the survivors
I believe she was kept for a specific purpose favor favor even blessed with old age
Unimaginable to see your family for the last time walking away. Thank you for your bravery for telling your story
Dankie vir jou verhaal! Ek voel so sleg vir jou! Hoe kan hulle sulke dinge aan jou doen? 'n Jong dame!!
Groete van Süid-Afrika!!!
Oh my ! How sad! What a beautiful lady and as I listened to her I admired her strength at recounting the terrible time of the war and so sad for her loss of her parents and family.. bless her 🙏🏼
Thanks for sharing your amazing survival story, dear Hester!!
What a tough time you went through, early on in your life.
Absolutely amazing. My God, what these people lived through. We are so fortunate to have their stories. It's so difficult to even conceive of the magnitude of lost lives...
Hello 👋how are you doing?
@@franklinstephen3268 I'm well thank you! Hope the same for you. Happy 2023!
@@janupczak1643 Happy new year to you, it’s nice meeting with you here. Where are you texting from?
What a glorious person.
Thank you so much for your testimony. God bless you and your family 🙏🌺
Hester I'm sorry this happened to you and your family😢. Bless you. Thank you for sharing your story; brave lady. Love and peace ❤️
Her parents knew that she would be safe if she worked in that factory. Also makes me sad to hear that she felt bad leaving the family that “hid” her but also abused her ❤😢
Thank you for this. You have made a significant contribution to future generations. God bless you!
She is so sweet, I thank her for sharing her childhood life story with us
I loved Hester’s story. Thank you for sharing it.
This is such a wonderful story of survival, to share with the next generations.
How precious that green poetry book must be to her 💔
What a sad story. Her perseverance is stunning. Thank you for sharing her story with the world.
Thank you for sharing your story. My mother and her family are also from the Netherlands, they lived near Leeuwarden. After the war they migrated to Australia. They are not Jewish but also suffered terribly during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Bless you.
When I started to translate this little book to my son I began to cry for this little girl, but I had to remember this little girl was me. I am so happy that she could reflect back on such a horrible time and figure it was her beginning and grieve for her...but in all here years the hurt, loss and heartache of that young women was replaced by on who LIVED. ❤️
She said a lot of moving things in this interview be for me that and her daughter telling her to not be sorry for moving across an ocean...giving her a new life and a new start. WOW! She lived, so I am so happy she was able to do so and glad her daughter helped her see that.
Dankuwel voor het vertellen van uw verhaal.
Wow! What an amazing woman. Thanks for sharing your story.
We are blessed to hear her story. God bless her. ❤
Thank you 🙏 for your story Hester watching you I had tears in my eyes It was heartbreaking what you went though, (R.I.P. to all the victims who died)
What a gift that book. Thanks for sharing your experience. Such a terrible thing 6,000,000,000 died and many more suffered. May God continue to Bless your life
Thank you so much Hester and family for your testimony. I truly appreciate all involved .
She's a very nice lady. I'm Glas she shared her story with us. 96 years old and going strong! My best regards.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much for telling your life story so ppl can learn from this! It's such an honor to be able to hear a recount of the war from someone who was actualy there and lived and survived through all those atrocities. I to have grandparents of course, my grandma (my mothers ma) she joined the partisans with the rest of her family, while my grandpa, her future husband lived on a small island Drvenik Mali near Trogir. His family (parents and grandparents) hid his fathers sister who married a man born of a hebrew faith (she changed her faith (which was none😂, some sort of christian but she wasn't even christened, but she still underwent a long and demanding processe before they couldvhe weeding) and their five children, from ages about 16 to 8, plus her parents and her brother, his wife and their two daughters (their son joined the partizans). They hid them in the basemant and everything was allright before the capitulation of Italy in 1943 when the Italians left and the Germans came. Because everyone who lived on the island knew they were hidding there (i mean it wasn't exactly a big house) and when the Germans came in 43 it became extrenly dangereos because there was two many ppl in the house so my grear grand mother took my grandfather and his two yonger brothers and went in zbjeg (I don't know how to translate exept run away) in El Shat, in Egipt - a lot of women with small children did that. My grandpa is 3 years younger than my grandma (his future wife, the one that went to partisans, he was the oldest, 13 and his brothers Jozo and Misha, 9 and 7. They had the oldest brother Antonio, 17 who run away with partisans and died during the fighting. But the real tragedy was that right near the end of the war Germans gave orders they everyone must emptied the island and sent everyone to be stationed in Split and one of the Germans found out they had no papers or weren't registered on the island and they killed - shot them all, my grandpas sister, her small children, her husband, his family and everyone who lived in the house. They always considered Slavs inferier people (not Arian enough I guess) even though they all had blue eyes and white skin (black or brown hair though) it was a punishment for hiding Hebrews and warning to others (one other family hid Hebrew relatives too but they run away to America via Lisabon just before Italy capitulated- that family, Tironi, had lot more money because they owned the only mill and bread shop on the island, plus they hid just 3 persons, a couple and a child, and they still had to leave their 5 year old boy but they returned for him after the war ended (and they had huge problems with their visa because of laws back then that you can't leave the US for 5 years or something like that. My fathers father joined the partisans, got tuberculoses and died after the war, but the fact he joined partisans stoped comunists from taking all his land and nationalizing it. Those were brutal times but the sadest thing is how short of a memory ppl have and how quicly they forget. The sadest is that people learned nothing from the horrors of holocoust and when someone learnes nothing they are destened to repet the "lesson", one way or the other.
Facinerend en heel oprecht hoe zij alles vertelt .
Ben blij dat ze een goed leven had na al deze gebeurtnissen.
Een typies Nederlands optimismus zie je in haar doen en laten.
Respekt voor jou en je familie
Thank you Helen, for your testimonial. Bless your memory! It is so important to know and remember what atrocities happened under the Nazi’s. And it did not happen far away, long ago. And it can happen again if people are racists and nationalists! ( I was born in ‘62, raised in Amsterdam and always go to the beach in Zandvoort.)
She’s wonderful and a strong lady physically as well to have survived such a horror. I’m so glad she is got a family and she’s happy. I wish her a long life with her loved ones. Thank you for your heart felt testimony. ❤️
Hester is amazing. I loved how she showed maps and sure held my attention. What a swwet 96 year old women.❤Anne Abraham😊
We must never forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And never allow it to happen again.
It’s happening to the Kurds, ulghars, and now Ukrainians right now
It’s time us people starting putting more of these stories in limelight and focus more on using this to fight other evils in the world as it all connects. Social media should be used to address these stories and help us yes not forget though build passion and character to bring more justice and a human standard to not allow this again- rather than celebrity worshipping
82 years old ?
I watch all of these holocaust programs, my heart cries for these poor people, I can't imagine being so mean and hateful to so many innocent people, sometimes it's hard to watch. God bless all those poor souls, may they never be forgotten ❤
Hester- You spoke well. Thank- you so much for being willing to share your experiences and educate others about what happened to you. May each person who hears your story be changed inside.
I can tell you have done a lot of work, processing and organizing your thoughts as well as preparing to have a presentation that others can remember and connect with.
I love the fact she used the map to give us an idea of where everything is. And all the other items to prove these atrocities really happened.
What an important story to tell. Thank you so much. ❤
Thanks to whoever took the time to document this. History books are just one version of a era. Hearing from people who were there is important. Documenting history, like the person who wrote the book she found that was important to her, is such a crucial thing. Especially in this age of alternative facts.
Strong courageous lady what a heartbreaking life 💔
I would like to thank Mrs Esther and all her family members. Her remarkable story of courage and strength living in fear and constant danger without parents at only 15. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story, Hester. What an incredible person and family.
So brave! I love you Hester.
I am American/ Jewish blonde hair and green eyes. Was a Bat Mitzvah.
@ 25 yo I moved to Switzerland. Long story short I lived on the border of Germany.
Turs out same that the Swiss returned Oskar Schindler.
I traveled to Munich, took a local bus to Dachau. Not one German showed acknowledgement of the Camp.
Had German friends, not one would say anything except their grandparents had nothing to do with it.
Still so shocking.
Horrific!!!! But these personal accounts are crucial for our true understanding of that hell!!!
she describes it BEAUTIFULLY and includes all the little details that truly paint a visual picture in your mind! ❤
Some absolutely amazing people survived to tell their stories so that we could’ve vigilant, we need to keep listening. Amazing woman with fantastic recall.
She was very good at the details and with the visual part ,maps,letters etc... Wished she could get the candle holder back.
Hester is so personable, organized, and a great orator ! I loved how she explained everything such as cities-locations her expetiences- how she felt, etc. I just loved her and would like to thank you Hester for sharing your experience and your story during the holocaust.
What a beautiful woman, thank you so very much for sharing your story and history with everyone, my heart goes out to you and hopefully everyone can learn from you. Much love to you and your family from New Hampshire in the USA ❤❤ Your strength is so amazing ❤❤
I want to hug this woman.
47:46 interesting that she slips up and says they were ‘work camps’
God bless you and your family 🙏🌺. Could listen to her for houers 🎧
I’m always blow away by each survivor telling their stories….it will be shared & stayed in my heart forever 🙏🏻💝🇺🇸🕯️🕯️🕯️…..they should’ve have the highest of Aliyah’s……RIP sweet souls ….
These videos really show the "other" stories of these survivors. God bless her and her family...
Thank you for telling your story. God bless everyone who went through the holocaust.
What is so remarkable is how these survivors after these harrowing and devastating experiences, the unimaginable horror and trauma, not only survived but went on to live full and productive lives, to marry happily and raise children who in turn live fulfilling lives.
When I was watching this video I thought I got nothing to complain about .thank you for sharing what happened to you
My father and his family lived in The Netherlands. My aunt and uncle were in the resistance. This ladt reminds me of my oma.
Everyone needs to be on guard and make sure that this NEVER happens again!
6 million lives snuffed out, 6 million dreams dead… if those people had lived think what they might have contributed to the world.
What an incredible story! Thank you for sharing! I wish this was a novel so I could hear more.
Thank you for sharing your story
I'm born in Africa. Our ancestors came from Holland as well. And looking at you make me think about my grandparents on my father side. My eye color is also greenish. If there is any Jewish blood in is, only the Heavenly Father knows. But we all have a desire to turn back and learn Torah from a Jewish point of view. Blessings dear Hester. I'm thanking God for keeping you and blessing you. Ma
Being a German I am so very sorry and ashamed of what my people did to you and your people.
I'm glad you are such a strong woman and I wish you all the luck in the world.
it is not your fault that at one time there was a government that treated people so poorly in your country...
Dear Elisabeth,it is not your fault,you did not do this.I lived through war as a child and I hoped no war will ever happen again but now Ukraine...so sad.
It is not your fault Elisabeth
Elizabeth, unfortunately there are people capable of such evil in most countries. We just need to be aware and to do everything we can to stop them taking power.
Dear Elisabeth, You do not have to be sorry for the things that you didn’t do. What happened during the war could happen anywhere, at any time, because of the beliefs of the country’s leadership, and lies told to the population. We must all be vigilant, so it doesn’t happen again. You show yourself to be a very high morals person, to apologize for your forefathers deeds. Thank you for your kindness!
Bless you heart Hector! Thanks for sharing your story. You are loved!❤❤
What a sweet lady, I hope she is/was well loved in her life
Wat an absolute awesome lady you are Hester .Thanks so much for your amazing true story . So glad you got to tell your true sorry thankyou so much an inspiration to everyone that walks on gods earth
Thank you so much for sharing this treasure with us!
This history is so critically important. I do grieve for his woman and all of the people who suffered, and those who were murdered so horrifically. I so admire this woman and all who share their experiences that prove that these things happened. I am grateful for all who tell their history, and I watch so that I/we do not ever forget. Much respect to this woman.
This was one of the best testimonies I have listened to. I love that Hester had the visual aids, especially the maps. She was so fortunate to have survived and it was due to happenstance circumstances. Having the job so that she did not go with her parents and then meeting the girlfriend who arranged for her to be hidden with that family. I can see how she regrets leaving behind the menorah and the tea set that her mother had hidden, but when you are still a teenager, those things do not mean as much to you as they do when you are older.
You became orphan been so little...I am in tears right now...I love you Hester..
Many unique anecdotes here for the history of that terrifying time. The map also made this account more relatable, and everything about it clearly points out the unceasing fear and misery of being hunted by warped and deadly humans. Thank you to her and for producing this.
I just love it that she still has a thick Dutch accent..
After such a difficult childhood, it is good to see that found happiness after the war. Her testimony is most engaging.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WOMAN I AM SO GLAD SHE DID NOT HAVE TO GO TO THOSE CAMPS BUT I AM SO SORRY MOST OF HER FAMILY WERE KILLED ESPECIALLY HER PARENTS
Could not even bring myself to imagine the horror of what all those poor souls went through. God bless your souls..
God-bless this beautiful lady and thank you so much for recording this story. We have got to keep these stories alive in the hearts and minds of all people. I am not Jewish but I am of native americanheritage and they tried to wipe out our people as well but not in the same manner. It just breaks my heart to hear these stories but I still seek them out and watch everything and read everything I can on what happened not so long ago on this planet.
Thank you for sharing. I am so sorry this terrible period in time occurred. I do not understand how a country enlisted people and turned them into such monsters So sorry.
It is so terrible and yet to smile at some things you remember is a testament to your brave and beautiful soul.
The Red Cross did a great job delivering 1200 care packages each Friday to the people in the Auschwitz camp . Money was also delivered and was exchanged for camp currency to buy items in the general store. No such programs offered in Soviet Gulags.
I could listen to Hester all day, her memory is excellent. DOD BLESSED this beautiful woman.
Wonderful narration.
Already reminiscing ... my bubbe and Papa used to measure and tell time that way: 3/4 of an hour, ten minutes till two ... I'm now 55 years old and told my son the time that way and he said, "Huh? What time is it?". Memories. ❤️
My family left on the last ship out of Amsterdam. My uncle was born there and is 91. Also first went to the Dutch West Indies.
On one hand, those people who hid her saved her from the horrors of the concentration camp. On the other hand, their motivation is that they wanted a free slave worker who would do all the household chores and take care of the kids, and they were unfriendly too. I’m on the fence as to whether these people should be praised or not!
Indeed. I need to know more about similar cases to understand their true motif. It is a good thing that she was strong enough to chose for herself despite the egoism of these people.
But they were putting their lives on the line as well. If that was how they would have treated their help, Jewish or not, they would have been noticed if it changed.
They most likely didnt have the money to pay her. It was a very difficult time economically and everyone had little money. They didnt even have money for most foods. Like Hester said, she was given bone broth to eat because there was nothing else to eat. They were good for helping her but after the war it was not necessary for her to babysit anymore. Maybe they would miss her if she left? Either way, the family didnt abuse her. She was fed and hidden well for two years when any other family could of given her up to the Germans out of fear
Not sure how she was a slave in this situation? They shared their rations.
If they were caught with her like others were they would be dragged out (most likely the father) and shot in the street as an example.
Um. What??? It's also important to remember that keeping her active and working while lonely would have been very important. Vital, in fact. She admitted that she was quite spoiled previously, so any work seemed much worse regardless- again, something she acknowledged. As a family who would have been shot dead on the spot for harboring her, as well as having to ration their own supplies which gave them less, it's quite unfair to say to that their "motivation" was to have "a free slave worker". Your view sounds extremely USA privileged, where everything is seen in the absolute worst way and in your own current day standards. I'm pretty sure she, and her children she was able to have because of that family, would rather have her changing diapers if the alternative was... oh... I don't know, DYING IN A GENOCIDE. I can't believe that was what you took from this. I'm truly second hand embarrassed for you.
What a hard life as a teen. If was a good thing that Helen just happened to be friends with a girl who was part of the resistance and got her a safer place to live. Yet, Helen was made to live in the attic and eat alone. But, great fully she was never found by the Nazi’s! It was a hard time after the war. Thankfully, Helen’s Grandfather, and aunt and uncle and daughter’s all survived!
This people that made "sleep and eat alone " risked their lives and their children life to save her....
Of course she was made to stay alone at times. Because they were hiding her from the Nazis...
Amazing story ❤ she survived and yet you can tell she has a loving and joking personality. I hope she had true happiness for the rest of her years