Thank God You Are Here: The Story of Gita (Giselle) Cycowicz

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2023
  • Gita (Giselle) Cycowicz (née Friedman) was born in 1927 in Chust, Czechoslovakia (today Khust, Ukraine), to Wolf and Hannah Friedman. The family was observant and Zionist. Her father was a businessman and her mother a homemaker who also assisted her father in his work. She was the youngest of three daughters. After the Hungarian army occupied Khust in March, 1939, the family, together with the rest of the town's Jews, were subjected to anti-Jewish measures and actions. Following the German occupation of Hungary in March 1944, the Jews of Khust, including Gita, her sister Alti (Helen) and their parents, were rounded up and incarcerated in the ghetto established in the town. Around five weeks later, they were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau. After five months of internment in the camp, she and her sister were sent to forced labor in two subcamps of Gross-Rosen. They were liberated on May 8, 1945. Gita and Alti returned to Khust where they were reunited with their mother and sister Etu (Edith), who had also survived Auschwitz. In 1948 they immigrated to the United States where Gita married Itzchak Cycowitz. She began her college education in her early forties and became a psychologist. She moved to Israel in the early 1990s, and worked at the non-profit organization Amcha, providing both individual and group psychological therapy to Holocaust survivors for over 25 years. Today she lives in Jerusalem and has three children, 21 grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 332

  • @nic7401
    @nic7401 Рік тому +12

    I am not Jewish but I greatly admire the Jewish people and pray for them and Israel regularly. Shalom!🥰

  • @lazarusdouvos
    @lazarusdouvos Рік тому +6

    can you imagine one day you are taken away from your normal life stripped from everything, your soul would break. what a horrendous act to humanity. god bless all the survivors. im so happy for Gita what an amazing woman.

  • @quarto79
    @quarto79 Рік тому +133

    We are still here! Best answer to the nazis

    • @AK36677
      @AK36677 Рік тому +12

      Nothing lasts forever.

    • @anonymousanonymous-qx7mv
      @anonymousanonymous-qx7mv Рік тому +19

      @@AK36677 we will! Always have...take it from me..we shall outlive you all ...always have! Always will. We will grow and multiply like the stars and the sand and nothing can stop that. Because G-d has promised us and he has kept that promise from beginning of time ... now go take your hatred elsewhere..because we arent going anywhere .

    • @AK36677
      @AK36677 Рік тому +9

      @@anonymousanonymous-qx7mv 109 countries.

    • @anonymousanonymous-qx7mv
      @anonymousanonymous-qx7mv Рік тому +3

      @@AK36677 what about em

    • @aurora.a6645
      @aurora.a6645 Рік тому +3

      @@AK36677 How true !!!

  • @Jazbo777
    @Jazbo777 Рік тому +80

    Thank you for sharing your story with the world so people will never forget❤️
    Thank HaShem you’re here with us today.

    • @gonefishing167
      @gonefishing167 20 днів тому

      I agree. It’s your country, teach what you like. As long as it’s not hate against them, why are they bothered. If they don’t like it, leave! Getting the same here - we don’t like Easter, we don’t like Christmas. Some countries they say about flying the flag! Wrong. If they don’t like the rules of the country they are free to leave, if they wish to assimilate , they are very welcome. And one of my Muslim families friends told me this. 🙏🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

  • @janmorgan7435
    @janmorgan7435 3 місяці тому +4

    She tells a story which is sad and she tells her story as positive as she can be. Thank you

  • @normasouthwood3182
    @normasouthwood3182 Рік тому +74

    Every story from these people should be streamed over the internet at least once a year. Television should be shown nothing else. Schools should teach childten All The Time just what happened and what human beings are capable of. God bless all those victims...I have no words. With love and prayers from England.

    • @maudoortwijn
      @maudoortwijn Рік тому +3

      If you teach WW2, teach all of it, not just the story of 1 ethnicity, else you do not teach what happened at all.

    • @lgparker4726
      @lgparker4726 Рік тому +7

      I agree. We don't hear about all those other's, like handicapped, and any Hitler just didn't seem to like.

    • @redwingfan9393
      @redwingfan9393 Рік тому

      Why not tell others stories as well. The Jewish Holocaust was an outrage but it's hardly the only outrage of the 20th century.

    • @falloutman565
      @falloutman565 Рік тому

      @@lgparker4726 Hitler had a goal to wipe out jewa completely from this planet. His disgusting ideology grabbed gypsies and gay people along with them. Hitler collaborated with Muslims before the holocaust. He felt he was superior to every one. But there were way more Jews than anyone.

    • @joycevarelmann3189
      @joycevarelmann3189 Рік тому

      ​@@lgparker4726 p😊

  • @sharonmanewitz9569
    @sharonmanewitz9569 Рік тому +54

    Giselle's talk is most moving and powerful. I am forever amazed at how people who were Holocaust victims can speak about the horrors they endured and had to remember for the rest of their lives. As the keeper of my family's history and the remaining memorabilia I am fortunate to have, I am most interested in hearing about life in Giselle's Carpathian area homeland. My mom, who was from a little nearby village, Bilke, was fortunate enough come to the US before her town was invaded. Her sister married a man whose Kohn family was from Huszt where they had a good life. My uncle was a successful attorney who went to the Charles University Law School in Prague. My aunt was a teacher in Huszt. They had a son who was 9 years old. In May, 1944 all of my Carpathian family went to the camps as Giselle's family did. My aunt and uncle survived but their son did not. I grew up with the gut wrenching stories my survivor family members would tell us. They were painfully similar to what Giselle described. Her work is crucial to making sure that we do not forget the horrors that people experienced. Most importantly - we must never allow that kind of history to repeat itself. Thank you Giselle Cycowicz for sharing your amazing story.

  • @Sarah-mc7hn
    @Sarah-mc7hn 5 місяців тому +3

    What a lovely lady! So glad she made it and is still here. ❤️

  • @gamtngirl3655
    @gamtngirl3655 Рік тому +80

    Touched me deeply. All elementary school children should see one of these stories each week for their entire grade school years. Well, maybe from fifth grade on. It’s truly hard to see man’s inhumanity to man, but they need to know.

    • @maudoortwijn
      @maudoortwijn Рік тому +3

      If you teach WW2, teach all of it, not just the story of 1 ethnicity, else you do not teach what happened at all.

    • @johanneabelsen1644
      @johanneabelsen1644 Рік тому +7

      Here in Copenhagen, Danish teachers risk angry Arab/Pakistani or Turkish parents, when they teach about the Holocaust! I am so tired of these parents.🤦‍♂️😡

    • @mediocremaiden8883
      @mediocremaiden8883 Рік тому +7

      I agree and it needs to be done *now* because in a few years, even the youngest of Survivors are aging out and there won't be anyone left

    • @ebe5179
      @ebe5179 Рік тому +2

      Yes

    • @melodyh9720
      @melodyh9720 Рік тому +6

      @@johanneabelsen1644 Isn't it crazy the hate that still exists today? History is fact, you would think no matter the race, people would want it taught. Sad to hear. Keep on fighting the good fight for truth💪❤️

  • @missrayelyn3045
    @missrayelyn3045 Рік тому +39

    What a lovely woman. I hope she's known peace and love her whole life after such horror. Thank you for sharing your story. These accounts must never stop getting told.

  • @nakshatraneogi8427
    @nakshatraneogi8427 Рік тому +6

    You are such a wonderful soul ❤️

  • @maureenmckenna5220
    @maureenmckenna5220 Рік тому +15

    Tears just watching and listening to this story of survival, against all odds. Man’s inhumanity to man is incalculable. Her legacy is her children and their children and on and on.

  • @dontcaresaveit1862
    @dontcaresaveit1862 Рік тому +6

    What a beautiful lady. We must never forget!!!!

  • @isabellac1117
    @isabellac1117 Рік тому +29

    I’m always stunned hearing these stories. The strength to survive psychologically is something I think about often. To see this bright light go on to thrive, and help others live on is touching beyond words…

    • @lavedasutton4267
      @lavedasutton4267 10 місяців тому +1

      I know. It is amazing to think how they went on with their lives without really much help. I don't think I would have been strong enough.

    • @isabellac1117
      @isabellac1117 10 місяців тому +1

      @@lavedasutton4267 I don’t feel I’d have the strength to survive this horrific atrocity

  • @yonat-admoni
    @yonat-admoni Рік тому +23

    וואוו
    איזה סרט מצוין
    תודה יד ושם
    תודה גיטה וכל המשפחה
    עם ישראל חי🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 בבקשה תמשיכו בעשיה החשובה שלכם

    • @lunastarr1925
      @lunastarr1925 Рік тому

      Palestine not Israel....
      The holocaust shld not have happened.....
      its a total inhumanity
      as what is happening in Palestine today.....a holocaust by the Israelis....

  • @ccsnd77
    @ccsnd77 8 місяців тому +3

    Such a lovely, intelligent woman. Wishing her and the family a world of happiness and peace.

  • @ProudJew22
    @ProudJew22 Рік тому +7

    What a beautiful human being.

  • @mountaingirl6479
    @mountaingirl6479 Рік тому +33

    Very well done. Amazing woman with an amazing story. My favorite part was hearing how she got her doctorate and helped others . And that helping others is a great part of healing for yourself as well as the other person. We’ll said!!

    • @Coral-lu5hi
      @Coral-lu5hi 7 місяців тому +3

      In helping others she helped herself in the process. I am sure you are loved. Many thanks for sharing.

  • @francesblabey3055
    @francesblabey3055 Рік тому +8

    Gita,thank you so much for sharing your miraculous story.
    💝🙏

  • @julsjewels3185
    @julsjewels3185 Рік тому +9

    You are a gift to humanity. Your life shines.

  • @Myramhall
    @Myramhall Рік тому +8

    Thank God for Gita.

  • @maximillianvonpoops3846
    @maximillianvonpoops3846 Рік тому +10

    What a beautiful Lady. Thank you for your story and for your inspiration.

  • @danielhopkins3778
    @danielhopkins3778 8 місяців тому +3

    Thank you so much for sharing you story. This was amazing. God bless you and your family 🙏🙏🙏

  • @urspendy
    @urspendy Рік тому +11

    This woman is incredible. Her spirit is so beautiful and just determined to survive and do good in the world.

  • @philoza1000
    @philoza1000 Рік тому +8

    Such a beautiful lady . ❤

  • @Canuck13
    @Canuck13 Рік тому +7

    This should be taught in all schools forever.

  • @deborahm4484
    @deborahm4484 Рік тому +9

    Thank you Gita what a heartrending story of courage may God bless you all always.may your dear father r I p never forget what those evil people did.

  • @sarahfarrell8214
    @sarahfarrell8214 Рік тому +3

    I'm so happy Gita survived. This story made me cry so much. That teacher was horrible to treat children like that. I love that Gita was able to get an education and prove that teacher wrong. Gita, thank you for sharing your story of survival. Let's always remember.

  • @lindac3129
    @lindac3129 Рік тому +10

    God Bless you such a touching story

  • @jwjames6891
    @jwjames6891 Рік тому +7

    Baruch HaShem. Beautiful, Gita Cycowicz!

  • @IRosamelia
    @IRosamelia Рік тому +6

    Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!

  • @johnyyz423
    @johnyyz423 Рік тому +8

    Amazing story. Very moving.

  • @Vinesy68
    @Vinesy68 Рік тому +2

    Thank you Gita for sharing your story. Your beautiful face and the way you tell your story with grace and strength and kindness. I send you hugs from Leicester Uk x

  • @JoeMama-du8hw
    @JoeMama-du8hw Рік тому +2

    I absolutely am in love with Gita! What a wonderful, wonderful human being. And so beautiful 💙

  • @psmaureen
    @psmaureen Рік тому +13

    What a great survival story. What a great woman! She is remarkable!❤

  • @Beam_me_up_
    @Beam_me_up_ Рік тому +2

    What a wonderful woman. I've listened to so many of Shoah survivors, accounts of their personal hell. For some reason I found this extremely profound. Eternal hope saves..

  • @cathyf.2672
    @cathyf.2672 Рік тому +25

    Gita is inspiring to me because after the war, she was able to live a happy productive life. So impactful to see her elementary school and hear how the teacher kicked out the Jewish children. We take so much for granted now-a-days.
    I love that Gita became a psychologist to help others. She was calm, genuine and sincere. I am grateful her story is on UA-cam for all to hear.

  • @KlaraMoody
    @KlaraMoody Рік тому +49

    The story of Giselle was incredible and very humane as with all holocaust survivors it touched me deeply..
    Giselle was a wonderful person who still displayed a lot of Love to people ❤ despite her sufferings.

  • @ninademci1500
    @ninademci1500 Рік тому +2

    Mrs. Cycowicz’s story is moving. We need to get these stories to as many people as possible, if we’re unable to get them to everyone.

  • @lorettavandross2575
    @lorettavandross2575 Рік тому +3

    This beautiful lady surely has the holy spirit through Jesus Christ Amen and Amen 🙏🙏✨🌠🎑

  • @joandanielle9799
    @joandanielle9799 Рік тому +4

    Thanks HaShem for the story'. Thanks Maam for the sharing of your story'. I love Israel and people of Israel 🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱❤️🌹

  • @mcmlxii4419
    @mcmlxii4419 Рік тому +7

    Giselle is a lovely lady! Her story was riveting. I was frozen during the entire video.

  • @JuliaGonzalez-jl2kg
    @JuliaGonzalez-jl2kg Рік тому +3

    God Bless you and your beautiful family. I have no words.

  • @beachrose88
    @beachrose88 Рік тому +6

    her father looked so darling in his hat

  • @renayeblack5906
    @renayeblack5906 5 місяців тому +2

    I thank God that you survived, Giselle. And thank you for sharing your amazing story. ❤️🇮🇱❤️

  • @KlaraMoody
    @KlaraMoody Рік тому +2

    A wonderful Document.
    Thank you for sharing your life story with us..
    I am so glad you survived that dreadful part of your life. ❤

  • @juliawilkinson
    @juliawilkinson Рік тому +23

    What an amazing triumph of the human spirit and will.. so glad it ended well for her and her mom and sisters.. I do hope her father was watching from above. What a wonderful career for someone who had been through all that.

  • @stevemcelmury4618
    @stevemcelmury4618 Рік тому +7

    What incredible courage, faith & resilience... God bless you all, and may our world learn & grow in His peace & wisdom. Shalom. Love from the USA...

  • @karenberg4903
    @karenberg4903 Рік тому +7

    Gita you are AMAZING!! Your story will never be forgotten!! Thank you for sharing it.

  • @clarewalsh7247
    @clarewalsh7247 Рік тому +11

    An amazing story of resilience - God bless you x

  • @cmanon6014
    @cmanon6014 Рік тому +7

    Merci pour votre témoignage. 🕯

  • @winifredtrout1
    @winifredtrout1 Рік тому +7

    Isn't she wonderful...I went to Yad vashem years ago...I was a volunteer nurse at the Hadassah...I now teach in a Montessori school!!I'd have liked to have met Gita?

  • @nancycornett9949
    @nancycornett9949 Рік тому +6

    Thank you!

  • @rashone2879
    @rashone2879 Рік тому +4

    What a lovely lady and what an incredible story.

  • @brocku44.63
    @brocku44.63 Рік тому +7

    Thank you for sharing this.

  • @mira-qi5kb
    @mira-qi5kb Рік тому +6

    Just wow...I am speechless. Thank you for telling the world your story.

  • @susanyates4233
    @susanyates4233 Рік тому +18

    So very moving, and a great attitude of gratitude. God bless Gita and her family.

  • @gregoryross.303
    @gregoryross.303 Рік тому +3

    Hearing such testimony from Holocaust survivors is a huge help in ensuring that such a horror never happens again. Human memory is short, and just 20 years after WW I ended ('the war to end all wars' !!! ) we went at it again into WWII. We need to regularly remind people of the horrors that happened (and could happen again) when a sick group of people gained control of a powerful country (Germany) in the 1930s. 50 million people died as a result of it, and most of Europe was destroyed, including countless art, cultural, and architectural treasures, gone forever.

  • @dianefrazer5863
    @dianefrazer5863 Рік тому +7

    Bless you for sharing your incredibly poignant story. We shall never forget.

  • @amygoo334
    @amygoo334 Рік тому +13

    This is such a powerful testimony. What a wise and powerful story, and with so much heart. Thank you. God bless you and yours.

  • @laurapetchul1895
    @laurapetchul1895 Рік тому +5

    What a beautiful soul… an incredible story. Thank you, Gita for sharing with the world and for helping so many after the holocaust. Bless you and your family.

  • @MrDoyle07
    @MrDoyle07 Рік тому +3

    I feel such an immense love for you all. You also make me proud of my Father. He was an American in that fight against those Nazis. God Bless you all ❤️🙏🏼

  • @patriciahall2223
    @patriciahall2223 Рік тому +6

    Thank you so very much for sharing your incredible journey , my heart is heavy for your suffering , your story and so many many others needs to be told throughout the world in every classroom for generations to come , how proud your dear father would be of you all today ....God Bless Mrs Giselle you are indeed a very strong woman respect to you always 🇨🇦

  • @alicemoller
    @alicemoller Рік тому +33

    The way Gita describes while they were waiting because they didn't know what would happen next is really heartfelt. Appreciating every second with your family and loved ones.

  • @roarmnnans2798
    @roarmnnans2798 6 місяців тому +2

    Love and best wishes from an Indian. I can feel the pain. I wish all my brothers and sisters of Israel live in peace with joy and happiness for ever. from NARAYANAN.

  • @KazyReed
    @KazyReed Рік тому +8

    I don't understand how people can see this evidence and hear these stories and still deny that any of this evil happened.

  • @alefalefcres9422
    @alefalefcres9422 5 місяців тому +1

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience….I feel very touched..also deeply sorry for your father…and for all people who lost their relatives ….

  • @truecynic1270
    @truecynic1270 Рік тому +7

    How wonderful linguistically! How lucky for the opportunity to learn these different languages! With regard to the rest of the "heinous history," I cry. Completely undeserved. Evil. My heartfelt thanks to Gita for having the courage to re-tell her story

  • @gitaamini2683
    @gitaamini2683 24 дні тому

    Gita - You are a beautiful and amazing Neshamah /Soul. Thank you for telling us your survival story - your wonderful pre-war family life and those joys as well as how you managed to survive so many atrocities- With all our love and blessings!

  • @susanhawkins3890
    @susanhawkins3890 Рік тому +3

    Wonder life & great legacy for🎉your family. & mine!!

  • @amandawright7421
    @amandawright7421 Рік тому +2

    What an extraordinary woman. I think we can learn alot through her testimony. ❤️🙏

  • @gonefishing167
    @gonefishing167 20 днів тому

    Wonderful lady. How brave they are to give these so important testimonies. Bless you and your family dear lady 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

  • @noras.9774
    @noras.9774 Рік тому +7

    I’m 67 years old from Romania and even now I fill in the stomach the pain of that horrors!

  • @joannamcpeak7531
    @joannamcpeak7531 Рік тому +7

    God Bless all who watched this

  • @robertafierro5592
    @robertafierro5592 Рік тому +11

    Checkoslovakians are STRONG PEOPLE.

  • @148ESTHER
    @148ESTHER Рік тому +8

    What a beautiful woman, what a beautiful soul.

  • @patmurphy389
    @patmurphy389 Рік тому +8

    Thank you for sharing your story Gita! I can't imagine what you went through, it's just tragic what happened to you. There are no words to say what I feel.

  • @edisoncruz8432
    @edisoncruz8432 4 дні тому

    Thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom and kindness

  • @robertafierro5592
    @robertafierro5592 Рік тому +6

    Lovely woman. You can see how important her family was to her. Her friends..Real friends..

  • @lindagurrera685
    @lindagurrera685 Рік тому +5

    Truly a happy ending ❤

  • @nereidaaffan4340
    @nereidaaffan4340 Рік тому +5

    This touched me very deeply into my soul what a people go through only because of their race God have mercy.I have no words to express but through out your testimony my heart was broken but so relieved that your sisters and mom and you survived the ordeal .

    • @nereidaaffan4340
      @nereidaaffan4340 Рік тому

      thank you so very much God bless you and shine upon you and keep you safe AMEN!!

  • @user-fx3hf3by9uMila
    @user-fx3hf3by9uMila Рік тому +1

    Great story.
    Thank you so much for the insights in the ending.

  • @EggZausted1
    @EggZausted1 Рік тому +7

    What strikes me about these stories is how everyday people, even teachers of children, had so much hate in their hearts that they would actually humiliate the very children they dedicated their lives to and would even act like children themselves. People always say that most of the everyday people were not complicit in what Hitler was doing and that they were forced into it, but the fact they they played such a huge role in it in the beginning angers me. If more people stood up in the beginning and didn't let their fear and hate get in the way things could have maybe been different. Let's just hope that people never forget, that history doesn't keep repeating itself and all people finally learn from the past!

  • @Stevie-hn7mp
    @Stevie-hn7mp Рік тому +1

    I truly enjoyed Gita telling her story of life . Thank goodness her mother, sisters and herself survived. ❤❤

  • @charlesgreen1481
    @charlesgreen1481 3 місяці тому +2

    God bless you one and all!! My love is with you all

  • @avieshapiro4607
    @avieshapiro4607 Рік тому +5

    One of the most beautiful Holocaust memoirs!! Boruch Hashem!

  • @violetanndoherty6872
    @violetanndoherty6872 Місяць тому

    It is strong women like you that will make sure THE WORLD NEVER FORGETS. God bless you

  • @dovhamburger2323
    @dovhamburger2323 Рік тому +5

    wow im so proud to be Jewish and hear your incredible story,,,and the way you tell it.... no more sorrows only smachot Dov

  • @annmillar1481
    @annmillar1481 18 днів тому

    My goodness me, what an amazing woman you are. I am simply humbled

  • @olivervandebeer7492
    @olivervandebeer7492 Рік тому +7

    Don't you just love her..To think you survived with your heart still intact after being in hell....❤🔯🕎

  • @seemarajderkar3019
    @seemarajderkar3019 Рік тому

    'Thank God, You are here',
    What a touching story of survival narrated by Gita ( Gyselle)Cycoviz.
    Its a miracle, that after going through terrible hardships and life threatening situations, the whole family survived and was united !!
    If Geeta is still alive, she must be 96 years old.
    My Special Thanks to Yad Vashem, for making this lovely video with Gita, showing beautiful locations of Khust, the town in Ukrane, where Gita lived during her early years.
    Vad Vashem, I salute you for your wonderful videos, which will live for posterity, keeping the memories of world war 2 alive !!

  • @elisabeth8798
    @elisabeth8798 Місяць тому

    The loveliest soul and smile. Thank God you are here!

  • @arturoguerra1249
    @arturoguerra1249 Рік тому

    I feel blessed to have watch this I feel for you and your family and all the people who went through the Holocaust I had tears you and your family are so strong I can just imagine if I would have been that strong thank you for sharing we all need to hear this thank you you have a beautiful family

  • @JaimeMesChiens
    @JaimeMesChiens Рік тому

    Dr Cycowicz, I read, in Haaretz, about your speaking with President Biden,
    The photos of you, along with Rena Quint, speaking with the POTUS were seen around the world.
    I have heard your speaking before and your story of trauma, pain, suffering, loss, survival, and triumph is awe inspiring.
    I’ll never forget.
    Thank you for speaking out.

  • @gabesimmonds8421
    @gabesimmonds8421 Рік тому +1

    At least they survived except the father. My grandfather was the only survivor from six siblings. When he returned to Hungary their house was taken by a family who were bombed out. Slept on benches railway stations wherever he could.

  • @wayneolsen8965
    @wayneolsen8965 Рік тому +2

    Wow. Beautiful lady.

  • @Stax-ht9md
    @Stax-ht9md 9 місяців тому +1

    Thank God you are here, Gita. God bless you.

  • @user-qo1rw3et4h
    @user-qo1rw3et4h 3 місяці тому

    I learned more from this pre cious than I can say.God bless the wonderful soul ❤❤❤❤😂Anne. ABRAHAM

  • @tpj6849
    @tpj6849 Рік тому +6

    What an inspiring story , about human endurance, and hope.

  • @stormytempest6521
    @stormytempest6521 3 місяці тому +1

    May God Bless her.