Today in Focus Revisited: Life after Auschwitz
Jan 27, 2025
Susan Pollock and Ivor Perl, both survivors of the Auschwitz concentration camp, share their gripping accounts of childhood trauma during the Holocaust. They reflect on their harrowing journeys to the camp and the resilience required to rebuild their lives afterward. The conversation delves into navigating inherited trauma, the complexities of forgiveness, and the challenges of discussing painful memories within families. As they commemorate the 80th anniversary of liberation, they emphasize the importance of education and remembrance to combat anti-Semitism.
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Ivor's Childhood
- Ivor Pearl lived in a small village and enjoyed a happy childhood playing football as a goalkeeper.
- However, he was always aware of being "the other" due to his Jewish identity, facing hostility and discrimination.
Anti-Semitic Harassment
- Ivor Pearl, born Isaac Perlmutter, faced anti-Semitism in Hungary.
- He and other Jewish children were harassed and robbed on their way to school.
Increasing Hardship
- Susan Pollock recalls the increasing hardship faced by Jews in Hungary.
- They were deprived of rights, their businesses were taken, and they were forced to wear yellow stars.